Anyone else have a weird feeling Xisco is set to be sacked/leave after this? Didn't look happy when cameras cut to him after the goals and there's been no usual post-match soundbites from him or any players - you'd think the club would want to milk this win for all it's worth. I may be paranoid but blame the Pozzo's for my paranoia...
I only logged onto Hive Live after 29 mins when 2-0 up. It was still the best £10 value this season after the £’00’s wasted on watching game after game of pedestrian crap. But, despite everyone being so positive the fact is we still only had 6 shots on target ffs, and if that includes Will Hughes goal it was 5. Not good enough..
Great performance from the kid. Showed fantastic work rate and a lot of technical ability. Nailed on first choice in that role for me.
Imagine the backlash. Don’t think Gino and SD are that daft. I hope xisco has gone behind their backs to prove a point. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Hughes was my man of the match. He's just there all the time offering an option. It means we can play our way forward instead of launching it. Get the ball, pass the ball and repeat.
I have to say, when I saw the team at 2pm I was worried. Not by the selection itself, on paper it looked really good, but that’s kind of the point. I’ve spent so long being frustrated by Watford’s performances; the 4-4-2, the continued inclusion of Deeney and Gray, the exclusion of exciting players. That team was giving me what I’d wanted, which is always dangerous. If it hadn’t worked then I’d have to accept that there was no ‘fix’. That this squad wasn’t good enough, or the right balance would never be found. Today could’ve killed the last flicker of optimism that I wasn’t even sure still existed, instead it’s given it oxygen. More of the same please. COYH.
I'm pleased I changed my mind and decided to watch this. A much better performance, even if it was against out of form opposition, you still have to play well to win as emphatically as this. Sure our luck was in for 2 of the first 3 goals, but there were some really good performances out there today. The last goal, in the 90th minute, had me purring. For Sarr to give up a hattrick to give Zinckernagel a simple tap in, confirmed the performance of the season by far from a Watford player. We did go flat after the substitutions, even the ever positive Mooney mentioned it had gone flat after Gray's introduction. But a clean sheet and SIX goals in the onion bag, was a very satisfying day at the office. But this has to be backed up now at Preston, which is a traditional graveyard for Watford. Not won there since 1979. However, this could be the statement win we've all been craving. Have Watford finally arrived? We'll see at Preston.
Nothing would surprise me with football and us in the last eighteen months. However even by the above standards it would be ludicrous.
One other thing - that touch, movement and shot from Joao Pedro in the first half when he hit the bar. Now imagine one of Deeney or Gray in that situation. Not only could they not execute it, I doubt the thought would even cross their minds. Such a stark difference in ability.
I was trying to watch Gray when he was on the pitch earlier and I kept seeing him standing still in the box with his hand in the air , although admirable that he was in the box if you watch JP he is in the box when needed but also outside of the box, in midfield, in defence on the wing. JP also seems more in tune with the rest of the team, when he is charging towards the box the rest of the team know where he is going and are racing to get there. the little back flip / heal that lead to one of our goals was also sublime
I like the fact he doesn’t take any ***** from the opposition as well. For a kid he’s certainly got some stones. There’s a lot of potential in there.
I’m open to being corrected but I think today was our biggest winning margin in the league since we beat Sunderland 8-0 in 1982.
JP will be an outstanding player. All the skill in the world but with a determination to succeed to go with it. I just hope we go up this season as it would be great to see how good he could be whilst in a Watford shirt.
But can they do it on a cold, wet Tuesday night in Preston? We don't have long to wait until we find out
Agreed on Joao Pedro, in my not so professional opinion I believe he is a far, far smarter footballer than Richarlison. Whilst Richarlison’s game is built on pace, power, determination and hard work, his technique always left me a bit confused. Mis-hit a ball a lot and failed to complete simple passes. Pedro has the positives above from Richarlison but also with the game intelligence and finesse that takes him into the next bracket of potential. Super high ceiling if he is coached right and puts the work in off the pitch. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
If we beat Preston that would be 20 points from Xiscos first 10 games , which is about as good as can be expected, although prob enough to get automatics from here on in. I've not been a fan of Xisco and his appointment seems bizarre but credit where credit's due.
When Richarlison first came over to us, we played him as winger and being Brazilian and attempting the odd trick and flick (such as when he fully shamed Adam Smith at Muff with a flick 'n' meg combination) we all instinctively thought of him as another jinky Brazilian flair attacker. In reality, what's been shown in abundance since, is that he is essentially a direct, powerful centre forward - he's not very intelligent at all, but he really can just blooter them in from most areas of the box/pitch. He's far more instinctive and central than the original public perception.
I thought Gray looked lively when he came on. I'd like to see him start on Tuesday, otherwise unchanged.
Assisted an assist? What are his stats for those his season, alongside his unexpected expected goals.
The two biggest differences for me today, were 3 in the centre of midfield. It meant we weren't over run and Bristol never had an easy option to get away from their own box. The other was getting Sarr to run on to the ball instead of him receiving it deep or with his back to goal. We need to find Pedro a position that suits him. Getting the ball with his back to goal, as a main striker, or as a winger doesn't suit his ability. I can see why he gets frustrated in games The Bristol defence were woeful
A fair few of that team either weren't here or weren't fully fit for the first couple of months of the season.
You know you can get that to display as an image in the body of the text/post itself, if you choose that option with the button at the bottom and/or wait a few seconds when you copy/upload it for it to register.
Hughes at centre mid is a no brainer surely? When he gets shunted about to make room for someone else reminds me about Paul Scholes with England under Sven . Mobile players with quality who "look" for the ball up top , again , is a no brainer. If we need to rest a player then surely Zink is a like for like rather than Deeney chugging about or Gray doing s.f.a. ?. However Deeney could be used as an impact or kitchen sink sub ?.
