The ONLY bit of that game I even remotely enjoyed was when Janmaat shouted at Tom Davies a little bit. Fair play to the absolute mentalists who decided to travel up to watch that inevitable pile of dried up *****.
I know it sounds like I'm going to contradict myself here but I wasn't convinced with us buying Janmaat in the first place. Last season, MOTD, social media "pundits" and other journalists constantly raved about him as Newcastle went down just because he bombed it down the right wing and had a few assists. Problem with him is that he didn't track back then (and doesn't now) and is way too soft in the challenge. The only way I was happy with him playing was if he was in a back 5/back 3 with mid 5 formation (coincidentally, just like Holebas), which is why I think WM has stuck with a 3-5-2. Problem with today was we obviously don't have enough good quality CBs for 3 at the back and we looked completely lost when we Kabasele was injured. It's almost a perfect storm what we have with our squad- a squad that's clearly unbalanced, slow and old coupled with a head coach that still can't learn from his mistakes.
How bad are things when I'm happy we only lost 1-0 and that Chelsea won? This is turning into a f***ing disaster.
We were really awful. Offered next to nothing. We looked like a league 1 side in the cup against Premier League teams. Everton are a good side. Nearly all of their players would walk into our starting line up. Probably a few of their subs too - Barry would probably be our best player. But the most obvious differences were their clear plan, and their togetherness. They had outlets, they knew where the ball was going, they threw men forward when they needed to. We were clueless, and never gambled. Now Walt knows we are safe, we're going to be playing a 352, as that is how he will want us to line up for next year. Irrespective of whether we lose every game from now on. Buying everyone a pint is the very least he can do. Maybe we will be alright next season. Maybe Walt will clear out some of the dross that was on display tonight and use his old reputation to bring in some stars, allowing us to score whilst taking our current defensive shape. But if we let him, and nothing changes, we're going to be absolutely f**ked. Is that really a risk worth taking?
I'd be quite happy with an attack minded wb if it were of any value. Janmaat bombing forward, however, typically results in a loss of possession from another fizzled out attacking play. If he were whipping in loads of good crosses and setting up goals then it would be fine, but he isn't and he doesn't. He's all fur coat and no knickers
I notice that Walter 'congratulated the players' and has again said 'we didn't deserve to lose'. Now, my memory ain't that good, but in his opinion have we deserved to lose a game at any point this season?
Think WM is just a little too old school in his thinking. His tactics are not up to speed in the modern game. Would have loved to have seen Watson on as a midfield dynamo. You know you will get 100% effort & that would motivate the other players around him. Starting to make sense why WM was out of work for 2 years before coming to Watford. He's hit the main target, so we must be thankful, but really little else to be inspired about & to build for next season. I'd like nothing more than managerial stability but not sure this is the one.
It's weird you say that. I agree completely that Janmaat bombing forward almost always leads to us losing possession. However one thing I remember from watching Newcastle here and there last season is that at least going forward, Janmaat would always overlap whoever shared the wing with him whilst that wide midfielder would just drop back, which is why Janmaat delivered loads of crosses, most of them being good. Seeing Janmaat now, he doesn't overlap but he also stays high up the pitch meaning we just end up nowhere and when we inevitably lose the ball we're caught out on that side. Blame for that has to go with WM for setting us up tactically like that and also Janmaat and whoever the wide midfielder is on that side (usually Amrabat) for not using their brains.
BEHRAMI: "We tried to defend well & counter-attack & overall did our job well. The commitment was there, we gave 100 per cent." #watfordfc Maybe it's 100% from a modern footballer, but it's not the 100% that Tommy Mooney, Heidar Helguson or Luther Blissett would recognise.
Behrami is one of the few I do genuinely think does give 100% when he plays. Evidence of that is clearest when he played at Stoke when he was clearly ****ed. Him, Gomes, Amrabat, Doucoure, Cleverley and possibly Holebas (He plays to a high level for himself, but not necessarily for the club if that makes sense) I believe do play as best as they can while the others give anywhere between 95-50% which is not good enough for Non League, let alone Premier League. I do think the players on the whole fought better than we've witnessed recently but we have passengers in Capoue (You start with 10 men, and Capoue), Zuniga (Why didn't we just keep Anya? Similar capability, he's homegrown and for all his faults he was a good link to the fans) and honestly, Deeney in the last 5-6 games. We complain about Amrabat but at least he tries to make something happen even if it's frustrating as hell when he gets dispossed for the umpteenth time taking on his man but I'd rather a team of Amrabats than a team of Capoues for example. It's frustrating because on paper we have a strong mid-table core in Gomes, Janmaat, Holebas, Prodl, Kaboul, Cathcart, Doucoure, Cleverley, Peryra, Success, Niang, Amrabat, Zarate, Okaka and Deeney that could be expanded upon to push to a higher level in a year or two, assuming things go to plan which safe to say it isn't. Something is desperately wrong behind scenes whether it's WM vs Deeney and a few others in a battle of player power, reported training issues and injuries, or just plain miscommunication between what WM wants vs what the players are capable of producing. Up til now I'd be willing to say injuries are the main factor behind our slump as any team would miss the creativity of Peryra, Zarate and a lack of pace and width in Niang, Success and Amrabat. (When they're in form) but when a fan base is this divided, when players are constantly arguing with each other throughout a game over where who should be playing where something fundamental is wrong. One way or another I do think it will be resolved in the Summer or else we will go down next Season as this is relegation form. The fans can see this and no doubt Duxberry and Gino know this. They haven't heavily invested in the club on and off the pitch when it would have been easy to do half assed jobs instead on the cheap and planned ahead years ahead for it to implode on itself.
I just have to laugh at anyone defending this absolute sh*tfest at this point. If people really still think this absolute f**king clown is the man to lead us going forward then please, please go and get a full psych evaluation. We have regressed in every imaginable way this season and the blame has to, and does, lay firmly at Mazzarri's door, the stubborn, delusional, ignorant, clueless c**t. We obviously need a clear out of some of the absolute crap in the squad, but unless we sign Messi and Ronaldo next year it doesn't matter because regardless of how good the squad is this thoroughly incompetent, abysmal excuse for a manager is only capable of taking us one way, and it ain't up. Pathetic.
I actually thought we were a slightly better last night than we usually are, which isn't really meant to be much of a compliment. I thought the players showed reasonable effort and there was some determination to get forward in front of a defence that was pretty solid against a good side. We even got a few shots in. But then we have been so woeful this season, I have grasped on to the few little positives I saw in a general sense of depression I feel about our club, as the fact remains that I struggle to think of when I last saw such a reasonable bunch of players play so poorly over such a long period of time. Our general level of underperformance is pretty staggering, the odd decent game cannot disguise that. In my view, last nights game was actually one of our 10/15 "least worse" games this season. What a state to be in. My only personal glimmer of hope is that I know our players are so much better than what we see week after week, which means that we are "only" a good coach away from being a top half side and finding a good coach should be easier than replacing the players (although we definitely need a decent striker). I worry about who a potential replacement for Walter would be, as Gino has not got good form in that area. But if Walter stays, we will be deserved favourites for relegation next season. The only people that would disagree is Walter himself (who rarely watches the same game that everyone else does) and the fans on here who doggedly deny the unpalatable truth alongside their obvious lack of understanding of how football should be played.
A separate mention about Doucoure who, once again, showed his potential of being a really good player. This was not one of his best games but still put in a real shift. He is my POTS, for sure as Prodl is the only other option, but he continually lets himself down when faced with a player running at him. He is clueless (in that respect) and it normally means he backs off, then turns his back on the inevitable shot at goal. That weakness has cost a few points.
I'm only a very small of the forum but I just wanted to say I'm sorry not to have supported it by posting lately. Unfortunately my Mum has been diagnosed with a fairly virulent form of cancer and I've been totally preoccupied caring for her these past few weeks. I had hoped that during this traumatic time, at least my football team would provide me with some mild relief and cheer. But they haven't. It's been a miserable time, and you just can't see it improving unless big and bold decisions and changes are made. That should start with Mazarri. It's been a long time since I felt such a disconnect with my team and club, and I hate this.
Sorry to hear about your mum mate I hope she can get through her illness quickly. On a happier note glad to have you back.
Sorry to hear about your mum. Wish you both all the best, for whatever that is worth. I'm sure your mum appreciates your being there for her when it counts the most.
Well that puts the importance of football into perspective. I wish your mum the best of care and support and a full recovery. I remember my brother unfortunately had a brain haemorrhage and left 3 young children. Soon after I took my young nephew to a league cup game where we thrashed Southampton (?) And just the excitement took him out of himself for a while. Unfortunately the current brand of football doesn't help to take us out of the real world. Very best wishes Malt.
Best wishes Malteser. I genuinely appreciated some personal help you gave me a while back and I wholeheartedly hope things work out well for you and your mum. Regarding Watford, it is only football after all - just kicking a bit of leather about a field. But it is surprising how the emotions surrounding it can affect our own mindset, whatever is happening elsewhere. I think our club needs to remember that many of us have put in a high degree of emotional energy through supporting the club over the years and that football is also meant to entertain us.
Sorry Mr Malteser. Feel you on that... The Hornets showed a bit feistiness, but that's not going to cut it. This team feels adrift.
Look at Gino's track record so far.. Didn't allow Joka the chance to lead us in the Prem after he got us promoted. Announced he was getting rid of QSF before a season ended that saw us comfortably stay up. Sacked Billy M after only 2 games. Etc etc. In other words, ruthless. Putting the club and 'the project' first. Always. Even allowing for the high regard he has for Walter, and the fact he and his Dad coveted him for years in Italy, it beggars belief that he could be happy with the current state of affairs and not be contemplating a change. Doesn't it?
I think the comment about Gino and his record on managers is a little unfair. Each appointment has been done to get us to a point and Mazarri aside it's been pretty successful. Jury is still very much out on Mazarri but seems to believe he's the right man currently
A good performance last night which deserved a point. Thought Gomes might have done better for the goal but that may be a little harsh. Certainly no lack of effort from the players and special praise for Zuniga who played superbly after he came on - despite knowing he's been binned for next year. What's the etiquette for Chelsea? Do we (fans) have to clap them? I hope not and pray that the team won't make a guard of honour for them as they run on to the pitch. They may be champions but they're still a bunch of c**ts!
I agree with this. Zola had to go when he did. Sannino should have gone in the summer, but they allowed him to stay before the inevitable axe fell. Garcia went because of illness, McKinley was a ridiculous mistake and I can't defend that one, Joka was out of contract so wasn't sacked as such, he just wasn't retained, although I think the judgement to not retain him was a poor one. Flores insisted on his own break clause, which was something that backfired on him and he wasn't sacked either. I don't agree with the "jury out on Mazzarri" though. I think their verdict is in, and has been for quite a while now.
It is good to achieve things you have not done for a long time! “Watford have lost six consecutive away league games without scoring for the first time since May 1952.” I am so looking forward to going to Chelsea on Monday…..
Wow...that's an incredible stat. Well done Wally on achieving that.......I wonder how long it's been for 7 matches, which it most certainly will become........maybe even a first in our history?
I am currently in the same situation with my wife. May I wish your mum all the luck in her personal battle and hope that you get the support that you may need from friends and family
Monday goes one of two ways. Either Chelsea are determined to put on a show in front of their fans to show off their title, or they will be hungover, distracted and feel it's 'after the Lord Mayor's show'. They might even include a few fringe players to boost their appearance tallies towards getting a medal. I suspect the former, but cling to the hope of the latter. Maybe we might at least break the goalscoring drought.
