Diatta signing positive but midfielder still required

[BBC] The signing of Krepin Diatta looks another shrewd piece of business by Watford. This is a seasoned Champions League player who featured in every match at the World Cup with Senegal. With his national team in the summer he was used at right-back but he has played higher up the pitch and as a winger. Watford have had full-back injury problems this season so this could be his initial position with the option of using him elsewhere as the season progresses. Diatta was linked to Premier League clubs in the summer so it is interesting that he has joined the Hornets now and why he has been a free agent since early summer. Nevertheless, if he is at the level he has been playing at for the past six years, it is a great addition for Watford. We will now see whether the Hornets can sign a midfielder in this international break. It goes without saying the club will be looking, as this is the current problem area. The signing of Diatta indicates what market Watford will be searching; it is unlikely to be a British player. The Hornets don't pay huge signing on fees and big wages to what they would consider journeymen English players. That's not to say they don't need this type of player. In recent years many head coaches have bemoaned the lack of British players with Championship or English Football League experience. But this has never been the transfer model at Vicarage Road nor is it ever likely to be under owner Gino Pozzo. Which is why it was so odd that chief executive Scott Duxbury and sporting director Luke Dowling said in the summer those type of players were targets in the transfer window. Why say it? Young overseas bargains with a view to sell on has always been the Watford way under Pozzo. Like so many other clubs, Watford have many players on international duty and will be desperately hoping none of them come back injured. The casualty list is still high in the treatment room at London Colney with key midfielder Edoardo Bove not expected back until the next international break in November. With Diatta and other late August signings, Watford potentially have a very strong starting 11 (when all fit). Whether the backup behind is good enough is another matter.