Two years ago this very day we beat Wolves in that thrilling FA Cup semi-final. In many ways it seems a different era doesn’t it and feels longer than two years ago? Not just because we were able to bring the likes of Deulofeu off the bench to win us the tie, but because we were actually all able to be in the stadium too to cheer our team on. If we can hold our nerve over the next fortnight or so, our CV under the Pozzo era should soon read.. Two promotions to the PL, an FA Cup Final, a semi final and a play-off final. Not so shabby. We’ve also managed at least one win against all of the big boys...except Man City. Still, there’s always next season for that ahem.
Just goes to show you can never trust football. Watford looked to be on the verge of becoming an established mid-table Premier League club with aspirations of domestic cup finals and European football. Roll on 24 months and it was all folly. Harsh reality of football. We may claw some of that back with a promotion this year, but it will take some time to get back to the level we were (or thought we were).
Was a great day out , still think it was a soft penalty and watching replays there was an agonisingly long VAR check That was the climax of that season, a terrible run of form after that.
Don't forget the CV should also include - Entirely avoidable relegation from the EPL - Global humiliation in Cup Final
One could also argue it goes to show you can never trust outside events either. Of course we will never know, but I feel covid came at a bad time for us and a good time for Villa. But yes, I think history shows that April 7 2019 was actually probably the peak of our recent history and of that very decent squad we’d built. Were it not for events of the past two months, I think it would feel like an ever sadder anniversary. Were we stuck mid table in the Championship, we’d look back feeling very sad and ‘those were the good old days’ type memories. Happily we aren’t, and I believe exciting times lie ahead. Lloyd total respect if you prefer to remember the negatives but to get hammered in a cup final or relegated from the top division, you first actually have to make it there!
Well Covid was the same for everyone, we just decided that it was best to dig our heels in and try and get the season written off, our hearts were never in it because we thought that was our best chance of staying up. It didn’t have to be like that, that was the choice the club and the players made and they got the inevitable outcome.
Yes very true. What I meant though was it came just after we’d thrashed Liverpool (Although I appreciate we then lost at Palace before the shut down) whereas Villa seemed in free-fall, and it gave them chance to regroup. I agree that our mindset didn’t seem right after it was announced the season would recommence.
Agreed. As they say, you've got to go through the good times to be able to really enjoy it when things turn to sh1t. Or something like that
Yes totally agree. Our best chance of staying up was getting the season written off. As soon as it restarted we were in trouble. I think the owners have learned that wasn’t the spirit required. I am looking forward to next season if we make it and hope we can bring in a few quality players.
A Watford supporter doesn’t see the beautiful sunrise outside, he only sees the dirt on the window ehhh!
Still remember some absolute fuuckwits that day claiming that 7th in the league and a cup semi final wasn't good enough and that we should be doing better. Weirdest fans in the universe I swear.
As much as that day was awesome, you have to wonder if the mindset would of been different. With no Final in their heads, we could of cemented 7th or at least a top ten finish, rebuilt our squad properly, heads would of not been in the dumps either. However, hindsight must be a wonderful thing.
Turned from a miserable day to an amazing one in around 50 fantastic minutes. Shame I can’t put that Cup Final humiliation out of my head else this would be an even better memory. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Great day that! I still think Delefou's goal is one of the best goals I've ever seen live as a Watford fan. Really showed up some of the Wolves fans after the game, some absolute degenerates amongst them.
There have been better team goals (Battochio) and better dramatic goals (Deeney vs Leicester) , but I don't recall seeing a better Watford goal for individual brilliance that Deulofeu. Incredible technique.
It was an incredible goal. It always made me wonder how he could do that, but was no good at free kicks?
Top 10 for sure, why not, but I think top 7 might have been a bit beyond us, we were beginning to look very weary, that 120 minutes took its toll on a squad that had a few injuries