only worry yesterday was the complete lack of width once Richie and Carilloser went off. Made the game very narrow and more scrappy - perhaps that was the plan as we ended up winning so who am I to complain!
To be fair to Carrillo, he was probably still a bit upset after watching his beloved Everton get beat in the early kick off.
Deeney showed good movement last week with his goal. Deeney showed good movement yesterday to hold the line and give a composed finish. Gray’s best performances came when he had a fit and firing Carrillo and Rich either side of him. Deeney hasn’t had that. Deeney cost us less than Murray, Barnes and Vardy all cost their clubs. Over the course of the last two seasons, where is the evidence that Okaka offers more than Deeney as a starter? He has shown to have far more impact on a game coming on off the bench.
One thing about Okaka (may have been mentioned but not going through all the posts) is how the team look visibly lifted when he comes on and seem to up their game 10%. Deeney seems to love him and there are lots of thumbs up and communication off the ball between them. Not sure what he's like in the dressing room and if he is one of those characters who are genuinely likeable and can lift a room, but on the pitch the team attitude seems to positively change as well as the crowds. BEEAASSSST!
May have been wrong about Deeney? As far as I can tell, most of the criticism directed at Deeney this season has been completely fair. For the majority of the season, he’s been a poor example with his suspensions, he hasn’t scored enough, and his link up play has been poor. I’m not sure how you can really argue with that? He’s played slightly better in the last 2 games, mainly when his better version Okaka has come on. It’s clear now he’s simply not good enough to play up top on his own, but unfortunately we’re unlikely to play 2 strikers in the PL. He’s a legend and still a decent player to have, but he’s allowed to be critiqued, just like any other player.
Spot on as far as my error. The level of intuition & empathy amongst the members of this forum is reaching Scullion/Endean proportions.
Maybe his ‘stool in Silva’s desk drawer’ stunt or whatever it was has given him some kudos among the non Carrillo/Richie faction in the dressing room.
It is absolutely fair to criticise him. No problem with that at all. But the language you use is inflamatory, and when there seems no balance or consideration of what may be the cause of his poor form, e.g., "It's clear he's simply not good enough to play up top on his own", rather than "It's clear he's always been more effective playing with two up top", it seems entirely fair to pick you up on it. As was often mentioned earlier this season, when there was fair criticism of his actions from just about every corner for the suspensions and his bulking up, which never seems to improve his game: Troy, along with Gray and Okaka, was not right for Silva's style, and Silva was not going to change anything to adjust to that. So when Gracia, hampered by the probability that Gray really isn't up to the job and Okaka struggles to impress over 90, develops a game where Troy holds the fort for the first 60 minutes, then we bring on the beast to free up our number 9 and cause havock in their defense, it seems unfair not to recognise that the new style does suit Troy, and that he, maybe, wasn't as poop as some have shouted from the roof tops when Silva was in charge. You seem to be criticising Troy as if he is responsible for everything that affects his game negatively. You fairly say his poor, inadequate, lazy performances are fair game for your criticism, and you make it clear that you also consider the opinions of those defending him to be equally open to your criticism. Fair enough. But then, it is all the more surprising when you get upset when people then disagree with you, equally as strongly as you do with them, regarding your own, IMHO, poor, inadequate, lazy assessment of Troy's ability. If you think he's a legend, give him a chance, and maybe the benefit of a doubt. Gracia, and the rest of us on here did, and, oh, he's started scoring again... Critisise him all you like. Do it fairly and your opinion will be taken more seriously, even if people disagree with you.
It has probably been said but initialy when defending we were keen to keep the ball in play rather than give a corner away and allow WBA dead ball situations. When there was corners another tactic was to leave players up the pitch so they couldn't overload the box. The second tactic very clever ( I seem to remember QSF doing it as well) whilst the first tactic was very nervy but once we had confidence to defend, particularly due to the keeper catching everything, we resorted to more normal defending
Private Cheeseman was the welsh journalist who got seconded to the home guard to do a piece called Captain Mainwaring - Man of Action He joined the cast after James Beck (Private Walker) died. He was played by Talfryn Thomas but he didnt join permanently because the rest of the cast thought he was a scene stealer
Worth a try, and I am all for finding where Pereyra can be most effective, but it may be worth remembering that for the majority of his time here, he has been played in his apparently preferred wide position, with the general concensus that he would do better in the middle. Now he's in the middle, it seems he will be better out wide. Thats no criticism of your comment, in fact I think you may be right; just recognising the difficulty and irony of finding his place. I do really like him, but it is getting beyond the moment where he needs to establish himself in a role in this team.
I believe Mr Cheeseman only joined in the second series - he was Welsh wasn't he ? Troy has apparently now scored in his 50th, 100th, 150th, 200th, 250th and 300th appearances ! Amazing stat.
Carillo sent in one fantastic cross yesterday but he is a moody luxury to have in the team and if we are sticking with 4-2-3-1 I think R&C need to be dropped for Pereyra and Femenia as the widemen with Hughes in the central role. Not sure Arsenal away is the game to start with Deeney and Okaka up front. Maybe the next home game (Muff?).
Not sure, but I think Talfryn Evans played Mr Cheeseman, a local reporter on the Warmington Gazette or something, who semi replaced Walker after Jimmy Beck died.
Yes he does play well on the left. Hopefully Feminia will be fit for next week to take Carillo’s place
Thought Pereyra did well out wide on the left providing width, after the wingers went off. It's been mentioned quite a bit.
I guess he held the wide left line ok but didn't run at anyone. Got the ball out wide and held it well but was quite static and passed it straight back inside. And there was nothing down the left with Hughes becoming the most wide right player on the pitch. I guess there was just no pace out wide to get in behind so resulted in a very congested and scrappy midfield, though that ultimately led to our goal anyway.
i feel for him. it's a world cup year that he started with no hopes and then ended up with an outside chance of making the squad. for countries like Brazil where playing for your national team is still a huge honour it must be hugely frustrating for him to see the chance slip away. the Chelsea game I just found out was televised in Brazil so knowing that was his big chance to get people there paying attention probably explains his emotional reactions to getting subbed in recent games
been a while (4 years maybe) since I've thought about how a world cup year might influence our players!
WENGER IN! Just our luck that they won’t sack that clown before Sunday. Souness visibly angry on Sky at the mediocrity which W*n*er instills in his club.
Richarlison doesn't have the technique to be one of the top players in the world. He's good, and will probably go onto play for a bigger club than us but his touch isn't great, he over runs the ball quite a lot and I don't think he's actually that skilful.
I'm confused. Was it Cheeseman that scored the winner yesterday? Or has Talfryn Thomas been bulking up too much which restricts his effectiveness up front? Is the criticism of James Beck for his ineffectiveness over the last two seasons unwarranted? Is Corporal Jones really worth £20m? Why are some on here equating Watford's squad to Dad's Army? Surely Gracia is a better tactician than Captain Mainwaring. "What is your name?". "Don't tell him, Silva". I'm off now to clear the snow from the Vicarage Road pitch.
I genuinely don't think he's good enough to be starting for us at this point of his career, let alone a bigger club. I think he should have been eased in to the first team (obviously there are reasons why he wasn't). This run of bad form could break him if he's not mentally strong. And who's he got to talk to now silvas gone? Only gomes really. Amazing we're 9th with so many players injured or out of form.
So for the xth time this season we have the chance in our next match to play our opponents back into some sort of form!
Ah yes Sir Les,who has never to my knowledge appeared in Dad's Army. However he did play as a 'false 9' for Barnstonworth in the late '50s.
Shocking & I begin to warm again to the seductive Silva. Presumably Gracia not au fait with DA so Okaka has clean slate.
