Cov Reaction

Well we all have our own opinions, I go to every game and some weeks he shouts at the players in front of him some weeks he just makes gestures with his hands; Lee was great at Barnet and deserved to play after that; I am just frustrated with Loach as he may be taller than Lee but I disagree he certainly doesn't command his area on a regular basis. Their second goal was awful not one person including Loach got hold of that ball; but like someone said it is a shame but I am not as disappointed as some weeks. My take on the game first 10 mins up in the air, next 20-30 mins good and played some really nice stuff. Second half just knackered and started putting the ball up in the air and giving away too many corners and throw ins and letting them come onto us.

 

I understand everybody's disappointment in last night's result but seriously - for us to be in a position to win that game is a marvel in itself.

When I saw our starting lineup I felt we were doomed, and even more so after going down early. But the lads came back well to go into the break 2-1 up. In the second half changes were forced upon us as Cowie and Hodson got injured and Hoskins was completely knackered due to a lack of match fitness. It is a shame we ended up losing but talking about Malky making wrong decisions in playing Harley centrally or taking Hoskins off - well he didn't really have much choice because of our thin squad. He had to make do - and it did make it winnable - if our forwards had been able to hit a cow's ar5e with a banjo. We still have goals in our squad and we have a decent defense IF we get Cathcart and Jay fit.

We were no where near our ideal starting lineup and our replacements were found wanting. But hey - that's our reality this season. I feel some people on here have been blinded by our good start and forgot that this season is all about survival. That this season - 21st is a cracking achievement and anything above that is a miracle.

We have a paper thin squad and while our youngsters have filled empty slots well, a trade mark for youngsters is always going to be inconsistency. And that will cost us throughout the season just as it will get us points as well.

We're back down to 11th and with our current injury situation we may be a lot further down the table soon enough. But if we keep focus on the prize - which is continued existence and championship status, we just might achieve it.

So - my point? This isn't the last time you'll see our youngsters come up short this season. Just pray it makes them stronger rather that break them down. Continued support will help achieve the former.

 

Quoted For Truth

 

I honestly don't understand how we lost that game? On another night we could have had 5 easily. Coventry keeper was MOM for me at the end. I'm not losing sleep over it though because as long as we're creating chances we'll be fine, and boy did we create chances.

Very glad I went, cracking entertainment.

 

And that is what we should take with us from this... not the result.

 

Let's not get carried away - Coventry were crap and we worse but it was undoubtedly entertaining.

On another day Danny Graham would have scored three at least. However it did show the thinness in the squad particularly at centre half.

And when the fock will Loach come and catch the ball - he is putting too much pressure on our small centre halves by staying on his line or dropping the ball. He is a decent keeper but won't become a great keeper until he leanrs how to command his area. He was at fault for the second goal even if Chewitt wants to defend him.

 

Wise words by Krisvad.

 

Bang on Admin. If we'd lost, without creating or scoring any chances then we could be a little concerned. but like you say while we are creatin chances we cant grumble too much altho I reckon the doom n gloom merchants will be at it. good to see Hoskins get a run out and score, well done that fella. Hes taken alot of stick on here, from alot of folk, so it was good for him to prove a few wrong. Our squad is thin enough as it is, without isolating players.

All round it sounded like a cracking game irrespective of the result.

 

If you look back on my posts exactly what I have said, thank god someone else notices; he certainly does not command his area instead sometimes as I said he shouts and other times just makes hand gestures which players most probably can't see because they should be looking up the pitch; he is flat footed; saying that he was awesome at Plymouth and the whole team knew it as they all raced to him at the end; but he has got to start doing this week in week out as he wants to leave at the end of the season anyway. If Rich don't get a chance soon he will leave and then that will be that!!Fact

 

Disappointing result last night. Coventry where poor and there for the taking, and we created enough decent chances to have won several games. If we had some of our more experienced players available we would have won at a canter.

I was impressed with how our front four played. I thought the movement, positioning and interchanging between Graham, Cleverley,Cowie & Hoskins was first class at times.

Defensively we where poor. I thought we looked nervous & disorganised (especially after Cowie/Hodson limped off and the team lost its shaped) against a fairly lack luster Coventry attack. It wasnt too bad in the first half when Coventry offered little except to hoof it to Morrison. But they changed tactics after the break, pushed the midfield up and we failed to deal with it.

How long is Jenkins, Cathcart & Demerit out for? I presume that Jenkins & Cathcart where injured which is why thy didnt play.

I thought Coventry where quite a dirty side - lots of niggly little fouls that became more blatant as the game wore on. It wasnt helped by the fact that the ref was a bottler. We should have had two penalties in the final 10 minutes and both their 2nd half goals came about from stone cold fouls that werent given.

Overall disappointing, but plenty of positives to take out of the game.

 

Defensively we where as bad as Coventry yes, but i wouldnt say the team as a whole was worse than them. Abit better finsishing and we would have scored 6 or 7 in that first half

 

I was giving him a lift home, but I felt we still had a chance of equalising and that the performance was not as bad as he thought it was. It was 2 moments of madness which cost us as we gifted them far post open goals.

Our overall play was not that bad for some parts of the game. Cov's defence was slow and we were getting behind them, but I don't think we made the most of it.

Net result - We should have scored more and conceded less. We could have won 5-1, but we lost 3-2. Typical Championship game.

I thought Doyley had a good game, apart from any involvement in the 2nd goal (I don't really know who to blame for that as there seemed to be several suspects).

 

Very true. Defensively we were as bad, probably worse. Our build up play was better but our finishing was woeful.

 

Good post.

As for Loach having a terrible game, as some have said - how do you figure that? He was not at fault for any of the goals that I could see and seemed to have a decent game. He came for things and took them. He made a good save before their 3rd, but the unmarked guy it fell to made it irrelevent.

 

I can't believe some of the negativity here. If you want to see your team win every week go and support Man U or someone.

This was cracking entertainment (like Aidy's last game) and it just happened that we lost because our best goalscorer had a bad night in front of goal, the ref gave decisions Coventry's way that almost certainly should have been ours, and there was no understanding in our makeshift defence.

Disappointing result, but that doesn't mean that Cardiff will turn us over on Saturday.

Incidentally, for those who didn't see Hendo's miss, he took the ball beautifully, flicked it over a defender's head with a composure I'd never have expected .... and then blasted it over the bar when his composure disappeared. I thought he did OK apart from that one touch.

 

Thanks for the description, very dissappointing that he couldn't score, hopefully they'll show the chance on the highlights online.

 

To me it was the traditional game of two halves. Up until they went 1-0 up we looked quite subdued but then neither side had really grabbed the game by the short and curlies. Then they score a controversial opener and the team comes alive. The defence seemed to just about be riding it's luck and Coventry were really struggling with our midfielders booming long balls over the top of their defence every attack. It was crude but effective and because their full backs couldn't get a grip we were a serious threat. The team fully deserved the half time applause for their comeback though I think everyone really knew we should have been 3-1 up. Graham's chance at the end of the half was a bit more difficult than it looked (the pass was slightly fast and ahead of him) but on his form at the moment I'd have expected him to finish it.

Second half started as the first ended - Graham missing a one-on-one with the keeper. God knows what he was thinking when he spooned that ball over the ball but he seemed totally unaware that he was that close to goal and unmarked with the keeper in no man's land. And then it all just fell apart. Inexperience turned into timid naive play and allowed Coventry to essentially play us at our own game. They started to play long balls into the channels/over the top of the defence and there was just no coping. Bennett looked like little boy lost for vast periods and Doyley was inept as per usual. God knows what the equaliser was about. Seemed from the other end of the ground that we had about 5 chances to just clear it but kept fugging it up before we at last presented Best with a sitter. Then to compound the situation rather than using that as a wakeup call the team just didn't wise up. In fact they just carried on in the same vein until eventually Coventry bundled another goal in after a bout of head tennis. The effort put in at the end was long overdue and just shows what they would have been capable of. God knows what Henderson was doing at the end with that sitter. Absolute donkey.

That's only the 3rd game I've seen this season so I was a bit baffled by the team. Really quite angry with the odd selection/tactics employed walking away from the Vic but have to balance that now with the news that a virus laid a few low. Sod's law and the last thing we needed at this point in time with the injuries already in the squad. The style of play was wierd too. I personally like the effective way of hooning balls over the top and into the channels constantly and putting pressure on the opposition. We got promoted that way in 2006 after all. But it seems a choice few just aren't on board with that and wanted to run the ball out of defence rather than clear it and that lead to confusing and ultimately defeat. And what happened to Russo saying we'd not be getting 'neck ache' at the Vic anymore?

Anyway, my ratings:

Loach - 7 - Not much he could do last night with that rag tag bunch of reserves/kids in front of him. Plus the fact he's one himself and it's difficult to criticise him.

Doyley - 4 - Time to send him to the circus. His own team mates won't pass to him, he's an utter spanner in possession and doesn't look for a second like someone with 200 games at this level under his belt.

Mariappa - 6 - Impressed me with his obvious efforts to direct the defence. Much more vocal than I've ever seen him before. Only trouble was the fella next to him...

Bennett - 4 - Oh dear. I know he's very young but he ain't gonna make it playing like that. Where's the player everyone raved about after Barnsley? Naive, some woeful positioning at one point nearly gifting them a goal and another time leaving Loach no choice but to do what we all wanted to do and punch him in the head. And that foul in the corner by the Rookery?

Hodson - 7 - Now that's how a 17 year old with a future plays. The only member of the defence to come out with any real credit. First half particularly he was one of our best players and it was a shame he had to go off injured near the end.

Harley - 6 - Not even sure where he was playing for much of the game. Tried hard but typically fouled too much and couldn't get a cross right for toffee.

Cowie - 6.5 - Slightly better than Harley if only because he played a couple of nice balls in the first half. Has no pace but his team mates don't seem to have cottoned on to that which often leaves them playing to his weakness.

Cleverley - 7 - Obviously a talent and loves the ball at his feet. Is a fantastic player to have when you're on the attack. No so great when you're stuck in your own half and he has 3 opposition players closing him down.

Eustace - 7 - Definitely a changed man and I can see what he's trying to do. Few moves don't go through him. Not sure he could have done much more as the kids fell apart around him second half.

Hoskins - 6.5 - Tried his hardest and very sharp goal. Seemed a bit lost in the hole at times but it's slightly unfair to expect someone to come from a long run of sitting on and failing to even get off the bench to starting and playing fantasically.

Graham - 6 - Would have been higher if he'd have nailed the chances. Another day we'd be talking about a 5-1 win and him scoring a hattrick I'm sure of it. Can't rate him lower because he still works damn hard, makes a nuisance of himself and reminds me of Darius H in the way his whole game shapes up.

Subs:

Lansbury - 6 - Not bad, not too good. Got sucked in to team mentality for the second half once he came on so never really changed the game. Didn't disgrace himself either.

Henderson - 5 - Sorry Nak but he's 5th choice for a reason. A couple of good headers on but that miss at the end was just awful! I've run it through a couple of times and can't get my head around it. The ball drops to him 8yds out in the middle of a bundle, the keeper is no where, he controls it really well to take it away from the last defender in any position to stop him and then...he pokes at it with the outside of his left boot and it goes about 5ft over the bar ??? Literally WTF?

Oshodi - 6 - Difficult to say. Throw a kid on into the middle of that second half performance and it's no wonder he doesn't make his mark.

I'm trying not to be too negative. It was a team of kids and we could easily have won. And it was hugely enjoyable. But there's no strength in depth this season and if some of the short-term injuries develop into long-term jobs we could be in trouble.

 

So your dad calls himself a Watford "supporter" Moog? :]]

Esp Limbo

 

One goal in what was a fairly average performance hasn't proven anything.

Stop trying to defend him, the defender made it even easier for him by throwing himself on the floor, he took the touch which he had to then somehow lashed it over the bar, complete donkey, BSP beckons.

 

My gawd, broken records, dogs with bones, people with an inability to let things go horizontal, all spring to mind with your posts. Its a new day, a new dawn, take a deep breath and enjoy.

 

I bet Jimmy regrets making that comment. I like direct - especially if it is mixed up with the slick passing that we seem capable of. It has to be a mix to keep opponents guessing.

 

Youre just a miserable old git.

 

Great response there, how you can claim Hoskins has proved anyone wrong after one goal is beyond me.

 

He did hes job when picked. He scored. What more do you want ? A sense of humour ?

 

Good post.

The ball from Cowie to Graham was overhit and too early, their keeper had barely got past the 6 yd line when he squared it - if he delays for a second longer it was literally a tap in for Graham. Easy to say sitting in the stands though and I too would have expected Graham to finish it.

 

i balme Malkys second half tactics for the defeat - every time Coventry got a corner, free kick or throw in close to our gola ine we had every man back in the 18 yard box - we allowed coventry to pressure us into submision.

We played to deep and took away any goal threat up until oventry equalised and then we started to attack agian.

Apart from that was a damn good game, golas and pretty entertaining, shame arsenal were o the box otherwise we may have got tthe extar 1,500+ fans that went to Reading at the Vic last nght - ho hum - support, fans remain crap...

60,000 v orns won last night and a very generous 13/2 on the orns to be relegated from our resident bookie remains available.

Reading catching us up fast - he who laughs last, laughs loudest.


Watford 3 Cardiff 5

It is 30th September, Jimbob said at the fans forum he and bruv would be talking to Ashcrafty by the end of this month about investment- anyone know the outcome, any reports been put up or anthing in the programme? I do hope they d not leave this too long as last night showed that as much as the young guns try it is not fair to heap the responsability on their young shoulders.

We will need players in January on loan who are not injured or injury prone, not foreign who need two years to settle in and then their contract expires ( i thought the new regime may have learned from the Sietes song) - so hopefully we will be able to get Noddy back on loan from Pompeii when they go splahing the £50m that is being injected into their arteries - oh forgot, that is to pay of debts, damn no Noddy on loan.

Damn shame Rasiak went to Reading init!:dismay::forehead:

 

It's easy enough to fish when they bite as easily as you do, but it's bloody annoying when you're just out for a sail and they keep jumping into your boat.

 

Hoskins wasnt great but as someone quite rightly pointed out, he hardly gets a game of the bench now days let along start a game. He played ok. Has a great first touch and can see a pass better than most he put Graham in a couple of times. Plus for that free kick before half time the little flick that went in again he's probably only one of a few who could try something like that.

You could tell he was trying to hard at times though and that he was rusty. The goal definetley lifted him though. Said in one of the papers today that he was suffering from stomach virus?

Doyley was pants he may not of been fault at any of the goals but he's a joke. If we had a decent left back he would definetley be out of the side well at least I would hope so. Everyone still sticks up for him though which I cant understand atall.

 

So it isn't us to blame.

 

common sense at last on this board, the bloke must be the only professional footballer who can't kick a bloody football straight.

back four of Jay, Mariappa, Cathcart and Hodson for me, with Gordon Bennett able back up, Doyley wants shot as per a pantomine horse.

 

Interesting all the comments re the ref.

Dermot Duncan Goodhew Gallagher was sat at the back of the Directors box last night, making loads of notes, as were a few around him.
At a guess a referees assessment type thing or may be that clown last night is moving up to the premiershyte

 

He's already a prem ref.

 

as well as our poor defending, crossing and finishing i was also dissapointed by the atmosphere tonight

too many people sitting down in the rookery and after the last three games ive been to (barnsley, leicester and reading) i feel we all let ourselves down tonight after those great atmospheres

but that said we didnt boo at the end which was good. some canuts were through the second half tho.

we will probably lose on saturday but by all means we have been great this season and we should get behind the boys in what will prove to be a tough month coming up

 

I've just seen Henderson's chance and it was bad shot.

He showed a great touch to bring the ball down and get away from the defender but on his weaker foot in a crucial situation he skewed it over.

It wasn't as easy a chance as I thought it would be based by some of the post's though, it was on his weaker foot with about three people in front him/ on the goal-line.