[Albion] Tommy Watson - signed - contract to June 2029

[LamieRobertson]

The signing film (Wandering around Lancing with David Weir, holding up the shirt, meeting the squad - so presumably filmed last week ? )

With presumably his GF …I know he’s not moved to another country but it’s still a fair old distance from Sunderland (presuming that’s where they’ve lived) ….and while he’s concentrating on the footie she still has to fill her time…no doubt the club will support both.

 

[Lush]

I'm trying not to read too much into the fact that the three players he's shown with, who are presumably not on holiday yet and still have business to tie up at the club, are Tariq (new contract negotiations?) Joel (new contract negotiations?) and Kaoru (aaaaaaarghhhhhhh)

 

[Lady Whistledown]

I'm trying not to read too much into the fact that the three players he's shown with, who are presumably not on holiday yet and still have business to tie up at the club, are Tariq (new contract negotiations?) Joel (new contract negotiations?) and Kaoru (aaaaaaarghhhhhhh)

More likely that they have niggling injuries that need treatment, no?

 

[GT49er]

With presumably his GF …I know he’s not moved to another country but it’s still a fair old distance from Sunderland (presuming that’s where they’ve lived) ….and while he’s concentrating on the footie she still has to fill her time…no doubt the club will support both.

Can she play left back?

 

[Greg Bobkin]

I'm trying not to read too much into the fact that the three players he's shown with, who are presumably not on holiday yet and still have business to tie up at the club, are Tariq (new contract negotiations?) Joel (new contract negotiations?) and Kaoru (aaaaaaarghhhhhhh)

I'm guessing that was filmed a while ago (when he came down for the medical/to pre-sign) as opposed to this weekend. Still an interesting choice of players to have him pictured with, though...

 

[GT49er]

Another arrticle on the Albion website today -

https://www.brightonandhovealbion.com/pages/en/media-article/it-will-be-elementary-for-watson

....... and again, that 'promise that he'll be involved with the first team and not loaned out or played in the youth teams' comes up again, Not the first time it's cropped up. Is it true? I can imagine FH and co. will have a good look at him in pre-season, but such a promise, before he's even kicked a ball in training, seems unlikely to say the least - or is this just Sunderland fans bigging him up (like Celtic fans have done with O'Riley)?
I'd be delighted if he is that good already, but he hasn't even had a full season in the Championship yet.

 

[Hugo Rune]

Another arrticle on the Albion website today -

https://www.brightonandhovealbion.com/pages/en/media-article/it-will-be-elementary-for-watson

....... and again, that 'promise that he'll be involved with the first team and not loaned out or played in the youth teams' comes up again, Not the first time it's cropped up. Is it true? I can imagine FH and co. will have a good look at him in pre-season, but such a promise, before he's even kicked a ball in training, seems unlikely to say the least - or is this just Sunderland fans bigging him up (like Celtic fans have done with O'Riley)?
I'd be delighted if he is that good already, but he hasn't even had a full season in the Championship yet.

A very interesting article. It seems that just a handful of Championship appearances for the Makems convinced us he was our man:

The implication was that he was Sunderland's best player in the Sheff Utd game, Stoke game and Bristol game (until his knee went).

This knee injury and subsequent poor form (until he became a Makem legend) were not enough to put us off.

With the same physical dimensions as Dunk, he won't get bullied in the EPL like we see with some youngsters so he has a chance.

Because this article is on the official website, I think the 'promise' is genuine. But I suspect he'll have until January to make a mark at left wing or face a development loan elsewhere. That pre-supposes that they'll be opportunities at left wing. He wouldn't get much action as backup for Mitoma and Adingra. I suspect at least one of those players will be very sadly gone by September.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

With presumably his GF …I know he’s not moved to another country but it’s still a fair old distance from Sunderland (presuming that’s where they’ve lived) ….and while he’s concentrating on the footie she still has to fill her time…no doubt the club will support both.

There’s plenty of boutiques, nail salons and wine bars in Brighton and London is only an hour away.

 

[Zeberdi]

Because this article is on the official website, I think the 'promise' is genuine. But I suspect he'll have until January to make a mark at left wing or face a development loan elsewhere. That pre-supposes that they'll be opportunities at left wing. He wouldn't get much action as backup for Mitoma and Adingra. I suspect at least one of those players will be very sadly gone by September.

I agree. I think it also points to a realistic possibility that Mitoma could leave us this summer for the Club to make such promises as a condition of the signing. Clearly we are not going to want to be left with just Adingra holding the fort on the left. Ibrahim Osman is also an exiting prospect who could feature heavily next season off the bench, has greater acceleration power than Adingra but also positionally very versatile.

 

[dazzer6666]

I'm guessing that was filmed a while ago (when he came down for the medical/to pre-sign) as opposed to this weekend. Still an interesting choice of players to have him pictured with, though...

Look at the trees. No leaves. Months ago I reckon

 

[Lady Whistledown]

With presumably his GF …I know he’s not moved to another country but it’s still a fair old distance from Sunderland (presuming that’s where they’ve lived) ….and while he’s concentrating on the footie she still has to fill her time…no doubt the club will support both.

Her Dad was a footballer (former Leeds player Ian Harte) so I daresay she's used to moving around, and also the lifestyle to a degree.

 

[singing4seagulls]

I agree. I think it also points to a realistic possibility that Mitoma could leave us this summer for the Club to make such promises as a condition of the signing. Clearly we are not going to want to be left with just Adingra holding the fort on the left. Ibrahim Osman is also an exiting prospect who could feature heavily next season off the bench, has greater acceleration power than Adingra but also positionally very versatile.

The alternative is that Adingra is off. He's been clear that he's not happy on the bench, but he's also not earning his place above Mitoma.

This could be the perfect solution for all parties. Adingra loaned out to get regular game time and get his mojo back, Mitoma rightfully starting but has Watson to come on at 70+ mins so he's not overworked, whilst gives Watson a bunch of sub appearances to run at a tired defence and build confidence etc. Watson won't be throwing a hissy fit for not starting ahead of Mitoma.

I'm probably just being very hopeful here. But Mitoma starting and Adingra having more competition for the 2nd spot won't work. I'm just really hoping it's not Mitoma that's leaving...

 

[Zeberdi]

The alternative is that Adingra is off. He's been clear that he's not happy on the bench, but he's also not earning his place above Mitoma.

This could be the perfect solution for all parties. Adingra loaned out to get regular game time and get his mojo back, Mitoma rightfully starting but has Watson to come on at 70+ mins so he's not overworked, whilst gives Watson a bunch of sub appearances to run at a tired defence and build confidence etc. Watson won't be throwing a hissy fit for not starting ahead of Mitoma.

I'm probably just being very hopeful here. But Mitoma starting and Adingra having more competition for the 2nd spot won't work. I'm just really hoping it's not Mitoma that's leaving...

No, agree definitely not above Mitoma - in my scenario, ie of Watson starting (in the event Mitoma is leaving which I think is very possible) , I’m also thinking Adingra will be a useful squad member but by January won’t be starting ahead of Osman or Watson so a loan/January move could be on the table for Adingra IF Mitoma leaves this window.

If Mitoma stays, Adingra out on loan or sold.

 

[singing4seagulls]

No, agree definitely not above Mitoma - in my scenario, ie of Watson starting (in the event Mitoma is leaving which I think is very possible) , I’m also thinking Adingra will be a useful squad member but by January won’t be starting ahead of Osman or Watson so a loan/January move could be on the table for Adingra IF Mitoma leaves this window.

If Mitoma stays, Adingra out on loan or sold.

Got you.

Yeah let's hope not. Mitoma off and this guy starting feels like a big downgrade. He will need time to get up to speed like all our youngsters.

 

[Sid and the Sharknados]

There’s plenty of boutiques, nail salons and wine bars in Brighton and London is only an hour away.

But what if she's got a passionate interest in Sunderland's shipbuilding heritage?

I just don't see it ever working. We should cut our losses and sell him.

 

[Bodian]

Can he play on the right - or indeed, could Mitoma switch over to the right?

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

With presumably his GF …I know he’s not moved to another country but it’s still a fair old distance from Sunderland (presuming that’s where they’ve lived) ….and while he’s concentrating on the footie she still has to fill her time…no doubt the club will support both.

Her Dad was a footballer (former Leeds player Ian Harte) so I daresay she's used to moving around, and also the lifestyle to a degree.

I just looked up her Insta account. The Brighton fashion boutiques, nail salons and hairdressers are waiting…..

 

[GT49er]

I agree. I think it also points to a realistic possibility that Mitoma could leave us this summer for the Club to make such promises as a condition of the signing. Clearly we are not going to want to be left with just Adingra holding the fort on the left. Ibrahim Osman is also an exiting prospect who could feature heavily next season off the bench, has greater acceleration power than Adingra but also positionally very versatile.

Osman? Well, Feyenoord fans would certainly drive him here. Probably club together for a private jet if necessary!

[Albion] - The 2024-25 Loanee Tracker Thread

How do Feyenoord fans rate Osman? Are we likely to see him in our squad next year? The comments under this post are unanimously harsh. The worst one being along the lines of “I hope he finds his way back home, he couldn’t find his way around the pitch.”

www.northstandchat.com

 

[Zeberdi]

Osman? Well, Feyenoord fans would certainly drive him here. Probably club together for a private jet if necessary!

[Albion] - The 2024-25 Loanee Tracker Thread

How do Feyenoord fans rate Osman? Are we likely to see him in our squad next year? The comments under this post are unanimously harsh. The worst one being along the lines of “I hope he finds his way back home, he couldn’t find his way around the pitch.”

www.northstandchat.com

He certainly has some of Adingra’s weaknesses in decision-making when trying to create chances for himself instead of finding a teammate - maybe it’s the Dream Academy genetics!

However, he is physically impressive and has some of Minteh’s acceleration agility and this makes him an exciting prospect. He’s young and has plenty of room to develop. Sam Jewell rated him pretty highly.