The thing is, the message it sends out. I thought "oh no" when I saw Watson was coming on. To take off Deeney and bring on a defensive midfielder, sends out a clear message. We're not good enough to withstand pressure, so we cannot invite it. It was no surprise Chelsea went on to score another couple of goals as we managed the final 10/15 minutes very poorly. I think that substitution gave Chelsea too much of an advantage. Even with a bias ref, we probably would have taken something from the game. I can handle a defeat, but when we play that well, only to d1ck it up at the end, it's really frustrating.
We played outstandingly for 70 minutes but Chelsea were in the ascendancy when Watson came on. It was obviously a (failed) move by Silva to get more of a grip in midfield because the Chelsea subs were already causing us problems. Doucoure was outstanding We were consistently threatening from set pieces - the quality of deliveries was far higher than in previous games. Our central defence are terrible from crosses, either in open play or corners. Defending through the middle was largely ok but every time a cross comes in it looks like we will concede. We need better centre backs. Deeney was **** half of the time but at least links up during attacks to offer more than Gray. We still need someone to compete with him. Maybe Okaka but not Gray. Richarlison had one of his worst games, by his own high standards. His misses ultimately cost us all three points and he often ran into brick walls. Carillo did **** all when he came on, but people are focussed on criticising Watson, who can hardly be blamed for lacking sharpness after months with barely any match action. Britos should get a kicking for that scoop which lead to their 4th, mitigated only by the fact that we'd already lost. We could learn a lot from the way Chelsea managed the game from the moment they took the lead. That 5 minutes injury time saw barely 60 seconds of actual playing time as Chelsea wound the clock and frustrated us like pros. I disagree with criticism of the formation. We were outstanding first half with 3 at the back. How was a corner given for their first? How was Rudiga not given a 2nd yellow for cleaning out through the back of Richarlison? How was Hazzard not booked for kicking the ball away? How did Chelsea get soft free kicks every time we won a header? How were Chelsea allowed to waste time so much once they took the lead? It's an extension of the discussion last week - if these decisions go against Chelsea then Conte comments and they become back page news for a week. As it is, in a game of such fine margins which we could just as easily have won 4-2 as we eventually lost by the same scoreline, these calls do make a difference. We played well for 70 min but the last 20 we lost it and we weren't helped by officials who favoured the home side. Some if our players looked comfortable at this level but others looked weak. Overall I'm gutted to have not won as I think we probably deserved it and at least were value for a point, though we are to blame for our own demise in as much as our failure to block and defend crosses makes us liable for our own defeat.
It looked like we were sitting deep defensively but still commiting men forward, leaving space on the pitch. If we had taken Richie off for Watson and left deeney up top to feed off scraps we'd likely have got a point. We changed it and neither attacked or defended.
Definite goal kick. But our lack of preparation for the corner was mainly down to us protesting the decision. It was unprofessional on our part.
It's easy to make good subs when you have players like Willian, Batshuayi and Zapacosta on the bench.
I'm gonna leave something positive on reflection. Today we showed that our league position is no fluke. It's always going to seem as if we're overacheiving and seemingly just a matter of time until we drop like a stone to our genuine position, but today we looked like a top 5 team, except for our defending of crosses. There is work to be done, but this side even gives us something to be cheerful about when we lose. Much positivity in a defeat today to give us hope and confidence going forwards. Doucoure, Kiko and Cleverley outstanding today.
As someone else (Squibba?) said, it really begs the question of what is up with Hughes. Hope this is not the start of a slide after an unlucky defeat, like the Spurs match in the QSF season.
I said to my Dad after the game it shows how far we have come when you are disappointed at not beating Chelsea at The Bridge. We played some magnificent football and I believe not many teams will beat us if we play like that every week. I do think that Marco got it slightly wrong bringing Watson off the bench and taking Deeney off.
The subs clearly changed the game. Chelsea's subs just happened to all click. I did my bit to help Watford by make Morata my captain in my Fantasy Football team. This is the first time I've actually seem him play (apart from highlights) and I have to say he was very poor. I like Watson as a squad player but really didn't expect him to come on. We probably created more chances today than we have in most of the games we've won this season - just one of those days.
We been poor in the central area of defence for years. We just cannot defend crosses and it's our major weakness. It's going to hold us back. Already 17 goals conceded in just 9 games. Whatever budget we have for transfers, I would say spend it all on the best central defender we can sign. It would make a huge difference to us. We are so close to being a very good side that could cause a big stir in this league. But, as we saw today, once they started putting the ball in the box and had a big guy in there, we just could not cope. We regularly concede chances from corners. I would love to see the stats to see how many crosses are headed out by our side compared to how many the opposition get their head to the ball. I wouldn't be surprised if we were actually the worst in the league at this. It's a shame as we have a wonderful opportunity with the team we have. Being strong at the back has to be easier to sort out than signing players that can cause problems to the opposition at the other end. We seem to have done the difficult part, but are unable to compete with basic defensive situations. Sort that out in January and we can certainly push for a European spot.
Even in 1881, we'd still have to wait 24 years to throw it away against Chelsea. Imagine that, being one up against a team that doesn't exist and having to hold out for 24 years. It's a great time to be a hornet for sure.
Classic hb1 - 17 goals in 9 games. 10 of them have been in 2 games against 2 of the 4 best teams in the league. Also loved the big guy in the box comment. He's shorter and lighter than morata.
If we are to buy one player, then I dont think buying a defender is a an answer. I think all of our CB's are premiership quality, but all of them are susceptible to mistakes and lapses in concentration. To end that vulnerability we would need 2 or 3 very expensive CB's. Besides, for majority of our games, our defence has been good enough to restrict the opposition to a handful of chances. Our priority is a goalscorer as that would provide better focus for our creative players.
Completely disagree. Mariappa and Kabasele are lower end of Prem quality. Britos and Kaboul are OK but inconsistent and limited with the ball. Prodl is our best option but injured and slow when fit. At present we are a top 5 team with a bottom 3 central defence. Even when all fit, it's our weakest area of the team. It's an area which needs strengthening at the top, not just in terms of depth.
Yes. In the past. It's the old (ridiculous) cliche about "form is temporary but class is permanent"... If that was true, Geoff Boycott would still be opening the batting for England. Watson's course is run and we should have got rid in the summer. Certainly in Jan. Good player for us but he has gone now.
You may be right but I don't see how we can make such a final judgement based on a clearly not match fit, 10 minute cameo. Gray is just utter, utter **** and is one of the worst buys we've ever made, alongside Ellington, Moralee and Trevor Senior.
Watson killed us against Bristol City too - he is a Mazzari player (in style) and we are a Silva team now.
Again, a sweeping judgment of a player who's demonstrated his worth time and Again, based on a tiny sample of evidence.
Not at all. I have rated Watson in the past but age catches up with everyone and he is simply too slow now and offers nothing. You are clearly going to support him until he is 78 but age has done for him now
Huddersfield showing everyone bar Man City are beatable. Bring them all on! Sent from my G8141 using Tapatalk
