That's a good point, but did Javi make a big song and dance about it like Warnock? No he didn't. It was a talking point because it could have given us the lead after an hour. I would argue, taking the lead on 6o minutes is far more powerful psychologically, then equalising just before half time. At half time the coach/manager can change things, motivate players etc. Whatever occurs in the second half then the players are on there own to a degree. A coach cannot speak to the group collectively in a enclosed environment, and that does make a difference. But I accept it's just my opinion. Given a choice would you like to take the lead on 60 minutes, or equalise just before half time? In your opinion, what would give you the better advantage in a match? For me, if you equalise just before half time, you're relieved you not losing anymore. If you take the lead on 60 minutes, there is a genuine belief you might win. These are very different human emotions.
I'm looking forward to the pre-match predictions from Paul Merson on SkySports today. I'm expecting him to say something like "bag of Revels Watford will lose 2-0 at Cardiff" only for Jeff Stelling to inform him the game was played last night.
I did think that was a really odd thing to say. I mean it’s true, very much like when we won our first four games of the season, we all knew it would be next to impossible win the 5th game. But that doesn’t mean you actually openly say it. It seemed like a really defeatist thing to say and I really don’t see any benefit at all in him saying other than basically giving his players a free pass to lose the game, which they did spectacularly.
I was working last night, but got home just after 9. Heard the second and third goals very briefly reported by squeeky-voiced lady reporter on 5 live whilst driving home, before we returned for further in-depth debate on Hernandez's handball goal and where that stands in the history with Thiery Henry's goal and most importantly of all, handballs experienced by the radio commentary gentlemen themselves during their unremarkable careers. "Ha ha ha! Let's not talk about that one, shall we? Ha ha ha! Ho Ho Ho! ...And Sessignon slices it out for a throw there, so you played in that game didn't you Jeff?...etc." Microwaved my poor shrivelled dinner and be sat down with it on my lap in front of a decent stream (clenched fist salute to comrades of the Safe @Cassetti's @Stevohorn) just in time to enjoy the fourth - cheered so loudly that I was strongly criticised by Ciff both in the immediate aftermath and again this morning. I must also have woken up 4Cyclones, the 9-year old, upstairs in bed. I was deprived of the joy of telling him the score this morning, because he already knew it precisely. As others have pointed out, the hat trick hero, Della Fella and Deeney, undoubtedly deserves praise. However, there was a slight stain on both of their performances last night. Geri D - Lovely goals. At last he's got the hang of doing one-on-ones! The chipped one was a peach. The round the keeper one was great too. The strong nod on and chase was brilliant and their two defenders were embarrassed. The touch wide to go around the keeper was a little bit hard though and a microsecond later with the shot and that defender clears it off the line. But it went in, so you can say that really he got it just right. But that's not what was a stain on his performance, for me it was the long, dreamy gaze to camera when he was being substituted. With his stupid, floppy diagonal fringe dangling over his lashes. Sensuously and peeling his gloves off, one at a time. For the laydeez in the house. Certainly in the top 10 of the most slappable faces in modern football. Troy D - Lovely goals. Cooly taken too. Troy Deeney type goals. The sort he scores. But. Was there really the need to show us the hairy old Derby Kell and moobshake? What a shock for all of us watching at home! There might have been children. My man of the match award therefore goes to Etienne Capoue. He who we have got. What absolute gems of passes he played to put Della or someone else clean away on several occasions. Masterpieces of timing and strength of pass. The perfection of an artist. I can't remember which one it was which led to a goal, but see on the TV coverage how after Capoue hits it, he does a brilliant Gallic "Bof" moment. He stops running completely, knowing that his work here is done. All that's left for him to is stand, contemplate and admire the fleeting beauty of the moment, yet the ultimate futility of it all. In seriousness, this season has easily been Capoue's best during his professional career. Is he at his peak or is there yet more to come? A hugely talented footballer and a vital part of this current team.
This is true , I watch quite a lot of games on Canadian TV and they always seem complementary about Watford , in fact they seem to be very well balanced - it’s almost like no one has told them that only the top 6 matter
In all honesty I think when Lloydihno left he gave Deeney his bottle of "give 110% effort when playing in a Watford shirt" pills, who subsequently misplaced* them but luckily found them last night and shared them with Deulofeu. It's the only logical explanation. *I originally hoped thought Grey or Cholevas might have stolen them.
Fully agreed. I used to absolutely hate Capoue, simply because I saw him as a wasted talent. This season he is anything but. That said I do think he’ll look back at his career and wonder what might have been, I really think if he had the mental strength he could’ve made it at the very top.
For all Warnock’s faults, I genuinely think he has mellowed and is nowhere near the aggravating character he used to be. Plus, over the last couple of seasons and even before this very game, he has been very complimentary about us. So as far as I’m concerned, Colin is alright with me these days. Plus he was bang on about Lineker so that’s another plus.
Reminds me of an interview I watched with Andy Gray about the FA cup final. He was talking about the build up to the game where Graham Taylor had been publically saying that Watford were basically there to enjoy the occasion. Even in that interview years later you could see the predatory glint in Gray's eyes as he laughed and said 'that was great to hear - we were there to win the cup'. That interview has always stood out as the difference between winners and losers.
I think many people, myself included, felt his early season goal scoring papered over the cracks of a season of poor to mediocre performances. Like Jolebas, he's one who has improved immeasurably under JG.
It never gets spoken about but always wondered what Capoues open market transfer valuation would be nowadays? Got to be 10m+ surely?
I'd agree with that - but it is still amusing that he finished what was overall a relatively poor season as basically our top scorer, whereas this season I still have him narrowly down as our current POTS despite only having scored once thus far.
He’s 30 but could be a fantastic back up player for a big club. Milner type squad guy. Prefer him here, though.
Not quite the same but it also reminds me a little bit of our play off final win against Leeds. I can’t remember if it was Aidy or one of the players but whoever it was gave an interview afterwards and they basically said we had them beat in the tunnel. If you watch the footage we’re are all jumping around and making noise and they are all silent with their shoulders slouched. When both teams walk onto the pitch some fireworks go off and a few of the Leeds players jump, but it doesn’t fluster any of our players.
Having had another look it's actually thrice - one in the league, one in the FA Cup and one in the Carabao; I'm mainly considering the league though.
The Cardiff fans gave him the full 'you fat barsteward' for most of the first half so I think that was his final response.
