Watford Fc 3-0 Birmingham City - 20/03/2021

Sanchez is ideal for a short term contract to come on off the bench and calm things down, Gosling also looks like a good squad player, looks as if the cleansing process is going well from his previous clubs antics!

 

Very professional performance and whilst not entirely comfortable we got the job done . Six weeks ago I couldn’t see is winning without Sarr in the side but despite him and Zincy being out ( and Success lacking minutes) we could have had 5or 6 today.

I really am starting to believe this side can go up now. It appears to be coming together just at the right time with Brentford and Swansea struggling for form. What a brilliant job Xisco is doing. Hopefully we get Sarr and Zinc back to fitness before sheff wed and we’ll be ready for the run in

 

I don't think we were great today by any stretch which makes the win all the more impressive. Sanchez made a big difference when he came on, and Chalobah was absolutely brilliant. Two week break now to get fit and firing for the last push, firmly in our hands now.

For all the hysteria about Gray being 'the worst player we have ever had' Success today proved that Gray isn't even the worst player in the current squad. He is utterly dreadful.

 

I said in the shoutbox how shrewd it was to get Gosling in (in the same mould as getting Watson in 2015).

I felt that after Gosling came off we lost our way in midfield a bit, so I'm pleased we got him and we have enough cover and experience in midfield.

 

I honestly can’t fathom what has happened to Success. Maybe it was just youthful exuberance, but when he first started playing for us he looked incredible. Now, all jokes aside, he genuinely did make Gray look like a decent player.

 

That's 3 games in a row where we have faced a team whose main gambit is crossing and throwing the ball into the box for big strong headers to knock it in. And they haven't. Our defence is a big part of all this.

Just wondering to myself what a lot more goals we would have got if a real striker like Kevin Phillips was in the team. Greedy - well OK - but we've opened these recent teams up quite often without a goal, as well as the times we actually did score.

 

One or others havr said it but it isnt going to stop me doing the same;

Chalobah has improved in every single dept in the last few months. Stronger in the tackle? Check. Creating chances? Check. Leading the team? Check. Looking composed and classy? Check. Putting in goal saving challenges? Scoring goals? Check check..

The last couple of games hes been back to and maybe beyond levels we knew he was capable. I've written him off in tha past as he fell over a gust of wind and pulled out of challenges before taking another month off. But I genuinely hope he is now back for good in this form, because he does fill the Chalobah role very nicely.

 

Chalobah must be an outsider for an England call up now. Southgate loves him.

 

Chalobah finally filling the Chalobah role

 

Nutritious!
A little bit of flair,a lot of hard work and three points and a clean sheet.
Chalobah is improving each game and some people are born to be a captain. He looks like one to me.
Great team work and a super third goal from Ngakia and excellent finish from AG who might have had a hat trick had Hungbo passed when AG was free and if he had finished with the last kick.
Birmingham looked quite decent although it's as unpredictable as a child's bottom down there!
Only blot was Pedro not scoring but a trifle.
Come on you Bluebirds!
I'm having a cup of a liquid almost but not entirely unlike tea!
And an Andy tomorrow!

 

Where most players lose a yard of pace in their 30's, Success has lost two in his early 20's.

 

We're looking like champions.

If only we hadn't spent so much of this season playing sterile, cowardly, Ivicball. We would be out of sight now. As it is, I'm still not of the opinion that we can't catch Norwich.

 

Would more sensational than the Walcott call up that time

 

I can understand the reaction towards Success, but he has barely played and needs 4 or 5 games to get up to speed. But he is very unlikely to get that game time

 

Very professional performance. Probably should have scored more can’t have everything. Defended well against a lot of balls lobbed in to the box. We actually look like the real deal now.
The one thing I’ve noticed recently is the amount of shots we get on target. Birmingham had 14 shots to our 12 today but only 1 on target compared to our 9. That’s a huge percentage on target and it was the same at Rotherham. Makes a massive difference.
Bachman. I was a bit critical of him a few games ago but his handling today was excellent and seemed more confident in coming out. Called up for Austria as well so congrats to him
Femenia. Continues to impress especially going forward but did defend well today. Great outlet going forward
Masina. So much better over the last couple of games. Great positioning on a few occasions to clear any danger. Should have scored. Another called up by his country for the first time so hope he’s ok.
WTE. another team that didn’t press so no real issues today. He’s one part of a very good back four and has improved recently
The Bloke from Chile. How the bl00dy hell has this chap played so little football. Just an incredible talent that never lets us down
Gosling. Thought he was excellent for an hour but lack of pace stopped him from getting on the end of things. A very astute signing
Hughes. The calmest man at the club. Never gives the ball away and just sets the pace of the whole team. Saw a couple of comments of moving him further up the field but I think he’s better where he is.
Chalobah. During this run of nine wins in ten there has been a lot of praise for the front players but Chalobah suddenly looks like the player of a few years ago. Was everywhere today, one goal saving challenge and got on the scoresheet as well. Thank god he didn’t leave
Success. Total rubbish. Contributed nothing.
Pedro. Created the first goal and probably should have done better later. What he does so well is drops in to spaces in between midfield and defence and we are now getting the ball in to him. Going to be some player
Sema. Seems to have got a second wind. Works hard and always looks to be positive.
Subs. Gray. Excellent finish and actually looked like he was going to score. Unlucky not to get another as well. Sanchez. Been a really good signing. In Baseball they call someone like him a finisher. Comes on to keep the ball and stop the opposition getting a foothold in the game. Ngakia set Gray up and showed some really good touches. Lazarr, ok ish but not one who will be here beyond the end of the season.
Happy days, cmon Cardiff

 

Sounds almost cliched, but those can be the difficult ones when a striker has time to think about it, certainly not the instinctive chance that is usually more associated with Gray. Could be a brilliant few days for him if he goes and earns a first international cap!

 

He's had 5 years to get up to speed and not managed it yet.

 

Thoroughly enjoy watching Watford at the moment. Such a contrast to earlier stages in the season. Players being allowed to play and having the confidence to do so.

Couple of weeks to recuperate and keep the spirits high. Cleverly, Sarr, Massina, Zinc all hopefully back for the final push.

I thought Chalobah was outstanding. Hughes great too. Was hoping the Success would make an impact, but it was not to be. Once Pedro matures he will be a great assets. His decision making not yet up to scratch, but has so much talent.

Great hope now, from the doom and gloom a couple of months ago.

 

Strange one to watch. We weren't brilliant but in all honesty could of scored 5 or 6. So that can only be a good thing.
Nate was just pure class and played a proper Captain's performance. Deeknee could learn something from him.
Even Dre looked on it and took his chance well.
A Swansea loss would just make the footballing day near on perfect.

 

I hate to have a pop after a 3-0 win, but WTE continues to have the luckiest gig in football next to Sierralta.

The way he bottled the 50/50 with Pedersen in the second half was appalling.

If we get promoted he needs to be jettisoned immediately

 

He's 25 too. Not young in football terms

 

I suspect that is because he is ****

 

Excellent, just a brilliant result with Sarr and Zinckernagel not involved. Full marks to Munoz for his subs as well. Chalobah has been transformed since getting the armband, delighted for him and delighted he's making people like me look very stupid.

 

There is no doubt if we do go up we need a lot of signings, and a replacement for Troost-Ekong is one of them. There is no way he should ever play in the Premier League.

 

Etheridge must hate the sight of a Watford shirt.

 

Except Goodman on Sky singled out WTE as a ‘warrior at the back’ under the high ball barrage Brum employed.

 

The Deeney injury seems to have been the key event that has enabled the run we have been on imo.

 

Well

5 wins on the trot , a clean sheet , 3 good goals

we lost our way a bit in the 2nd half and it has to be said that Xisco does love his substitutes , was wondering why he was taking gozzer and JP off , but hey what do I know.

Hungbo looks like he might be all right seems to have good pace, and has already learned the important lesson don’t pass to Gray unless you have to, however credit to Gray, goal well scored, but equal credit to ngakia for the tackle the led to it.

Success did a few things other than fall over, he passed to JP (I think it was a pass but might have been a slip) that led to the first goal.

we have some real quality (at least at this level) , feels like Kiko, Sema, JP, Hughes, Challobah would walk into any championship squad and a fair number of PL squads as well.

finally what the **** has happened to Challobah , he seems to be totally immense at the moment , crucial tackles, driving forward , superb header , Success and Gray don’t lose faith you never know you might get it back as well

 

A really professional performance against a potential banana skin opponent

Solid at the back, Hughes and Chalobah imperious in the middle, and some good finishes

 

Massive win!

A firm message sent out to everyone around us. We were always expected to win this game, didn’t let the pressure get to us, played our game and got the points. All whilst we were missing Sarr and Zinckernagel, as well as playing Lazaar for most the second half.

When Norwich have lost Pukki and Buendia they have been poor. Even when they have just lost Buendia, they have been rubbish. Their little blip was without him playing. For us to do what we did today without Sarr and Zinckernagel sent a clear statement out. Teams will not want to play us.

After the break, we should/hope have Sarr, Zinckernagel, Masina and Cleverley all back.

The squad depth we have going into the last 8 games will be key.

7 points clear of Brentford with +3 GD
Currently 6 points clear of Swansea with +12 GD
8 points behind Norwich level on GD

Going into the international break with this current lead is huge.

The boys have done their jobs. There is a sense of belief within the camp. They know what needs to be done.

Have to give Xisco credit. I smashed him for multiple games, but the turnaround has been very impressive. His substitutions have been so much better in the past few games. He’s managing games with what seems to be a clear idea, as opposed to just subbing like for like in the beginning.

8 semi-finals to go. We can do this!

COME ON WATFORD!!!!

 

It's a reflex reaction to still be nervous when teams put in crosses, but we're dealing with it well now, even Bachmann who has been dodgy in the past

 

Not saying that isn't a big factor or that I'd have Troy back in the side (I wouldn't risk our current team spirit tbh) but we were too negative for too much of this season thanks to Ivic. The change to 4-3-3 that coincided with Deeney's exit really dropped the handbrake and it's a matter of speculation whether one of those things had more of a positive effect than the other.

 

What a day!!! Was really nervous about that.

Full credit to everyone involved, about as perfect a day as you can realistically hope for right now.

 

The change of formation and Hughes being played in position are both huge reasons behind our recent run.