If there was a game that defined the direction we were heading, it was the season opening 3-0 home defeat. Here we are again and I feel the result will define the remainder of the season.
Should we put him on the bench if he's half fit though? What do you think ? Does anyone have any strong views
I think it will be a big relieve for the players if we lose, as we will effectively be relegated. They can then get the flip-flops on early for the summer.
Reckon it'll be the same team that started v Everton, although wouldn't be surprised if Big Nige springs a change given how the result turned out. Having a few of those back certainly has our options off the bench looking better, with no place for Dawson, Quina, Success or Joao Pedro. -----------Foster---------------- Mapps Kabs Cathcart Masina -----Chalobah Capoue---------- Peyrera ---Doucs -----Geri------ -----------Deeney------------- Bench: Gomes, Holebas, Hughes, Cleverley, Pussetto, Gray, Welbeck
Quina and Dawson unavailable regardless. Personally I don't see what gray offers over either Success or Pedro. If you're only sticking them on the bench if you need later heroics, go with the one with greatest ability to create something on their own. For me that's Pedro, with Success having the slightest of margins over Gray.
If Dawson is still out then we have 5 fit defenders again and no right backs. It’s so unlucky this has happened unexpectedly before such a crucial game outside of a transfer window.
Having to choose between Success and Gray is really a case of scraping the barrel either way but, on balance, I would favour Gray because of his better attitude. However I would really prefer Pedro as a 'wild card' sub that other teams know little about and who undoubtedly has the skill twinned with the fearlessness of youth. I suspect the coaching staff don't consider him 'ready', though, whatever that means.
Gray > Success always. Gray brings lots of frustration but at least a goal threat. Success brings nothing other than an ability to fall over.
I agree with this. When your sitting at the game and you look up and see Success or Gray coming on your heart sinks. I have nothing against Gray as he has an apparent excellent attitude but simply isn't good enough. Success has just wasted the ability he showed at Granada. If we had Pedro on their I actually believe it would lift the crowd. Lets see what the kid can do. He obviously has the talent and maybe playing in front of 30000 people might help him rather than playing at St Albans for the U23's
Thing is with Success, I am sure he has the physical attributes and the raw talent to offer something. One could say, in his defence, that a lack of game time doesn't help his progress, however, when he's been given a chance, rather than grasp it with both hands and give it 100% effort, he appears like he's just coasting. There's never any sign that he's desperate to push on. Even if he was trying hard, but things weren't coming off, fans and I'm sure management would be more patient and want to see more from him. As it is, however, I think he's blown his chances of using Watford as a stepping stone to something higher, by his lack of application and the only way for him to move forward is to step down and move to a lower level club, probably on the continent. I suspect at the end of his career, he'll have little to show for it, other than salary and a limited number of appearances at various clubs.
I've looked at the league table this morning, which is something I try to avoid because it's just so depressing, but this time, this game is a must win. If we lose then Brighton will go 6 points clear of us. If we draw we'll still be in 19th position having played one more game than our rivals, with the next two games being United away and Liverpool at home. Let's not kid ourselves. If we fail to win this one, I think belief will finally go. We have to get back to winning ways. If we do not, it will be no wins in 4 with two extremely hard fixtures to follow. That will almost certainly make it no wins in 6. Another dreadful run which we can ill afford. On a positive note, if we win we go 17th. If we win by 3 goals, then we will go 16th, if we win by 5 goals or more, then we'll actually go 15th.
Yeah the table definitely shows we need a win. One of the biggest pluses with a win is with West Ham away at City and Villa not playing until next week, the players get to go off for their break almost certainly out of the relegation zone.
Still feel like Success can kick on. Doubt it will be with us but it might be a Jon Dahl Tommasson transformation when he moves away from Premier League. He desperately needs to show better attitude outwardly though.
No point in beating around the bush, this game is absolutely massive. We need three points it's as simple as that. I'd bring Hughes back into the side at the expense of Chalobah or Pereyra. Have a feeling Sarr will be on the bench, we desperately need him tomorrow. 2-1 Away win.
We've got to be beating these guys. My source Mark Lawrenson has confirmed they haven't won a league game all season and has us down for the win. "The Seagulls still haven't won in the league this season, but fighting back for a draw from 3-1 down is a big positive for Graham Potter and his players - it will feel like a win."
Desperate times needs desperate measures, having been given a chocolate orange over Christmas, to stop me eating it in one at home, I put it in my coat I wear for football. Eating a few pieces each game our fortunes were going well, I ate the last piece at half time at Villa. Since I finished it we have not done well so to change our fortunes I have bought a new chocolate orange to take to Brighton. Don’t worry all will be ok now.
This game is not important. Still loads of points to play for afterwards. Pantwetters already laying the foundations for a meltdown. We'll be fine.
2-1 home win. 1-1 during the second half. Manager will take off a defensive midfielder, put an attacking player on, then they score.
Was playing well in a deeper role alongside Capoue. If Nate is still struggling with his back then he'd be the obvious replacement.
