An underwhelming Watford transfer window

In the end, it was a disappointing January transfer window for Watford.

It started slowly with one or two comings and goings but head coach Tom Cleverley assured us that was the norm and last week promised two new signings - one of them a "ready-made" Championship player.

What Watford fans got was a young Chelsea left-back with undoubted potential but unlikely to be fit for a while due to a shoulder injury. And that was it. The experienced signing didn't materialise, leaving Hornets supporters deeply frustrated.

In all, across the month, the outgoings outweighed the incomings. Centre-back James Abankwah looks a good signing but the business, or lack of it, leaves Watford painfully light and lacking in real depth.

The striker situation is deeply concerning, particularly with Vakoun Bayo suspended for the next three games. Teenager Mamadou Doumbia is the only other recognised striker and, despite showing promising signs of potential, he's 18.

With Kwadwo Baah out injured for another couple of months, Watford are also lacking creativity and pace. Any injuries down the spine of the team would really hurt the Hornets too.

Player trading has been limited and it's been an underwhelming transfer window. Supporters have expressed their concern and Cleverley hasn't got what he thought he was getting.

It's going to take some effort to get Watford back involved in the play-off race and one does wonder why there appears to be a lack of ambition from the club's board and owner.

There have been stories Gino Pozzo is open to selling the club and this window does nothing to dampen those rumours.

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