Manchester Utd 2-1 Watford Fc - 30/03/2019

Discussion in 'Match Day' started by V Crabro, Mar 24, 2019.

  1. Pob

    Pob Reservist

    Not in my bit of Surrey either. They all support Chelsea
     
    hambledonhornet likes this.
  2. The Voice of Reason

    The Voice of Reason First Team Captain

    Why is it when we outplay a team in the top six, many people including some of our own fans, say it's because the top six team have had an off day when that is not necessarily the case.

    In all games teams only play as well as we allow them to on the day, we can outplay the so called better team because we are good enough to do so, therefore we should be given credit when it is due and not branded as lucky as we obviously only outplayed a so called top team because they had an off day :mad:
     
  3. Moosegasm

    Moosegasm Reservist

    It's just the way the fixtures have fallen. To be in the position we are in with the fixtures we have left puts us in a very strong position. Fulham is obviously the key game as no one will wanna get injured so a freak result could be on the cards.
     
  4. Bore

    Bore Reservist

    Good and bad about yesterday

    Good - thought we were great and made me realise why I love supporting a team like Watford

    Bad - need a replacement for Doucoure as no way will we keep him. I would be very surprised if a team like a Man U do not throw huge money his way, with Pogba and Doucoure Man U would have strongest midfield in country. He was absolutely immense yesterday
     
  5. Siohmy

    Siohmy Reservist

    It’s difficult not to think this way though. If Man Utd play at their best and we play at our best then it is expected that Man Utd wins due to better standard of players. So it’s only natural to say that if we get anything out of the game or, as yesterday, outplay them, they must have had an off day.

    Of course sometimes a mix of crap manager, injuries, pressure of expectations or simply us playing well can change that.

    I do like to think we take the late GTs comment to heart which gets blasted out before each home game that “we’ll challenge you to play well” which, even if they got the result, Man Utd were unable to.
     
    wfcmoog likes this.
  6. Knight GT

    Knight GT Predictor extraordinaire 2013/14

    A good performance next Sunday will do us and him a huge favour. We are going to miss him
     
    folkestone orn and Teide1 like this.
  7. Siohmy

    Siohmy Reservist

    Oh, and it was so refreshing that, even though he inevitably said they were below par, which they were, that Solskjaer was complementary about us and said we deserved at least a draw. Actually could tell in his voice that he felt they were lucky not to lose. Somehow do not think Mourinho would’ve been quite so magnanimous.
     
  8. Teide1

    Teide1 Squad Player

    I think OGS is a real decent chap! makes a change from the likes of patronizing Colin!
     
    RookeryDad and Watford Gav like this.
  9. Irishorn

    Irishorn Gael Force

    Nice chap, no doubt, but I would be concerned if I was a Utd fan. I think he is going to struggle as Utd manager. He has got the extended bounce, but their performance yesterday would not be to the standard required to challenge for titles. You need a certain type of character (not necessarily nice) to take on the egos of the superstars, the corporate intentions of the shareholders and the massive expectations of the supporters. The fact that the players were so anxious that he be given the job is perhaps more indicative of their dislike of the previous boss.

    As for our gaffer, he seems to be a very clued in gentleman. During all breaks in play yesterday he made it is business to give forceful instructions to the players. From a distance, it looks as though the players have great respect for Gracia and that is crucial to insuring a happy camp. His main challenges going forward will be to retain as many of our top players as possible and replace those that are tempted away. What role he will have in those decisions is uncertain, but he will be aware that his exploits will be attracting the attention of other clubs and he may have some consequential authority with the powers that be, as a result.

    After yesterday’s performance and our reaction to it, you get a sense that the squad feel they belong in the big league.

    In terms of league finish, seventh would be great, but a top 10 and a cup semi final (at least) is a very good season and a fantastic foundation to build on.
     
    Sahorn and Ybotcoombes like this.
  10. Jumbolina

    Jumbolina First Team

    Indeed. A great season to build on, albeit Doucoure will be a huge void to fill.

    As for OGS. He will be Di Matteo 2.0.
     
  11. Happy bunny

    Happy bunny Cheered up a bit

    I guess nobody wants to sit next to you, Hemel!
     
  12. Happy bunny

    Happy bunny Cheered up a bit

    Even if he is, he's swept away (unfortunately) the negativity that has surrounded that club since Fergie left. Well worth a 3 year contract on a fraction of Jose's salary, even if he only lasts a year
     
  13. hornetboy1

    hornetboy1 First Team Captain

    Yes....it was a shop window performance from Doucoure. If you play well in those big games, you really get noticed. Everyone is talking about him after yesterday's game.

    Our real weapon, however, is Javi Gracia. I would be confident he would get a tune out of Doucoure's replacement, whoever it is.

    The close season will probably be Watford's toughest. We do hold all the cards with Doucoure and Deulofeu though. They are both on long contracts.

    It will be interesting as to how Watford approach things. Will they continue to sell players at the optimum price, or will they want to build? We all think we know the model of selling high, but we may want to invest and build on what we have in the summer.

    A lot will depend on how this season pans out though. Next week is a crucial one. Lose both games and that could really be a season killer, but win them both and we're in the hunt for 7th place and will be in the FA Cup final.

    Things like that mean a lot to players. They want glory and will be convinced that Watford could be on course to be that club who, even though unfancied, could certainly win something.
     
  14. hornetboy1

    hornetboy1 First Team Captain

    Having finally seen the highlights from yesterday's match, it was clear, we put in a sparkling performance. However, that said, the game could be summed up by this. United have players who make something from nothing, but we seem to make nothing from something.

    This is why it's a bit frustrating watching us at times. Maybe it's a lack of real belief when we go to places like Old Trafford. We just don't think we can win and it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.

    Our control of midfield was tremendous. This is why we controlled the match. It allowed our talented players like Pereyra and Deulofeu shine. We just lack that killer instinct to kill games when we are on top. But that does cost money and this is why there is such a gulf between 6th and 7th.

    A couple of little moans. Masina was lazy for the first goal. You have to bust a gut in THIS Watford side when you track back. He should have been at Rashford's heals putting him off, but was nowhere near.

    Overall the defence played well though, but it is clearly our second choice back four. Kabs is not at the same level as he was at the start of the season. He does ok for the most part, but he's got a silly mistake in him. He's just not reliable enough for me. Britos is having a swansong end to his Watford career. He looks decent, but you'll quickly see the flaws in his game when he plays week in and week out. Masina is disappointing so far. I think he's lucky to be playing as he's not quite tuned in to the intensity of the Premier League. I'll leave Janmaat out of it, as he is a lot stronger than a back up player, but I do feel we need someone who is a little better than him eventually.

    But we're not far from being a very good side. A quality striker and central defender away in fact. The key is keeping what we have and building on it next season with two astute key signings.
     
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  15. hornetboy1

    hornetboy1 First Team Captain

    MotD analysis was an absolute joke again. All about how good United were at counter-attacking and how good Rashford was against a poor Watford tactic of leaving big gaps at the back. Can't even blame Lineker today as it was Logan who was the presenter.

    No credit was given to Watford at all, only a criticism for bring na*ve in taking the game to United.
     
  16. Steve Leo Beleck

    Steve Leo Beleck Squad Player

    There's not much more Gracia can do than set us up like that.

    First goal, turnover up the pitch, obviously Britos is going to struggle against Rashford who's also behind him but what was Masina doing? He could see the whole thing unfolding in front of him but didn't even try and sprint, just ambled back.

    Second goal, Britos did well to make an interception but then gave it away straightaway and was out of position. Martial was in loads of space in the box before the cross but Kabasele did nothing, and marked no-one despite being the closest player.

    Add to that numerous opportunities where the forward players choose the wrong option or slightly over/underhit passes and we were always going to be up against it.

    For a club like us to beat a big 6 team away from home, we need players at both ends of the pitch to make the right decisions at the critical points in the game. Yesterday we battered them in midfield but just didn't have the quality at either end of the pitch.
     
  17. V Crabro

    V Crabro Reservist

    John Richardson of the Sunday Express wrote their report on yesterday's game. According to the header on the article he was "at Old Trafford".......I don't think so.......this is his description of our goal: "Doucoure bundled in a late goal"

    Also Stuart (LTFC fan) Attwell had to react quickly to our late goal reducing the injury time available to the bare minimum possible.
     
  18. AGHornet

    AGHornet Academy Graduate

    "In this moment" Javi is the top man. We need to hold onto him as well as Doucore and Deulofeu.
     
    Sahorn likes this.
  19. V Crabro

    V Crabro Reservist

    Don't worry, across Europe there are always several managers working on their English language skills knowing that they are in the Pozzo's little black book of potential future WFC head coaches.
     
    Cassetti's Beard likes this.
  20. hemelhorn88

    hemelhorn88 Academy Graduate

    Yea well i was a bit smelly yesterday. Kept the half and half scarf ******* away
     
  21. WillisWasTheWorst

    WillisWasTheWorst Its making less grammar mistake's thats important

    I trust there are never any half-and-halfers in with the Watford away fans unless they are under the age of 10.
     
  22. hornetboy1

    hornetboy1 First Team Captain

    OSG snaps at a reporter. Solskjaer was asked in his post-match press conference yesterday if he thought United should be performing better against "a side like Watford".

    OSG "What do you mean 'against a side like Watford?' Watford are a good team, they're playing in the semi-final of the FA Cup, they've got very good players. I don't think you're giving them any true respect there. Along with Wolves they're the best two teams apart from the top six."

    The telling part was I don't think you're giving them any true respect there. That opinion runs right throughout football. 90% of media and pundits have the same view about us, and it's nice to actually see a professional person put him right.
     
    Sahorn, Eastcoastorn, Bubble and 13 others like this.
  23. onion8837

    onion8837 Reservist

    We could offer them a swap deal ? We get pogba + 20 mill and they get doucs ?
     
  24. Relegation Certs

    Relegation Certs Squad Player

    Quina is better than pogba
     
    Leighton Buzzer likes this.
  25. WillisWasTheWorst

    WillisWasTheWorst Its making less grammar mistake's thats important

    Watching the game yesterday I genuinely forgot Pogba was playing. No truly world-class player would ever be that anonymous in any match.
     
  26. RookeryDad

    RookeryDad Squad Player

    Pogba is gifted but a luxury item. Hits a 40 yard pass & does nothing for 15 mins.

    Doucs is a more serious player over the English season.
     
  27. The undeniable truth

    The undeniable truth First Team Captain

    Doucs is the perfect replacement for Pogba if as he leaves for Spain as is being speculated.
     
  28. lowerrous

    lowerrous First Team

    Sure, I can only hope that whoever it is turns out to be as good as Masina and Sema. ;)
     
  29. lowerrous

    lowerrous First Team

    Masina was lazy for the first goal, sure. However, even if he had tried to track Rashford he still would have got nowhere near. I commented after his first appearances in pre-season that he appeared too slow and lethargic for a full-back. I'd been hoping that it could have been due to pre-season rust, but no, it turns out that he just is. He's much easier to get round the back of than even Janmaat, who is already a bit of a risk defensively against any half-decent pacy Prem winger. He's simply not up to being a defender in the Prem.
     
  30. hornetboy1

    hornetboy1 First Team Captain

    I don't think he's particularly slow, but he reminds me of Matthew Briggs, who incidentally is now playing for Maldon and Tiptree!!

    He just doesn't seem as committed as the other players. After seeing how he just jogged back for that first goal, I wouldn't have him anywhere near the first team after that. Just before that goal, Britos was looking over his shoulder telling him where he should be, but he didn't react to his instruction. It's a shame as I thought he'd be an excellent player for us, but is nowhere near the required level for an effective Premier League full/wing back.
     
  31. wfcmoog

    wfcmoog Tinpot

    Any idea how it will affect house prices or the incoming polar vortex
     
  32. The undeniable truth

    The undeniable truth First Team Captain

    Just imagine how utter **** they must have been before Gracia weaved his magic on them !
     
  33. Jumbolina

    Jumbolina First Team

    Indeed. He’s a complete dud. File in the flop bucket with Sema and Navarro. I just hope we can offload these substandard players and they aren’t unsellable wage consumers for years like Okaka and Zeegelaar. This motley crew (along with Prodl) consume a big chunk of wages which could be used on a couple of genuine first teamers.
     
  34. UEA_Hornet

    UEA_Hornet First Team Captain

    You may well end up being right in the final reckoning but how's he supposed to have got rid of the rust with such limited first team opportunities?
     
  35. BusheyOrn

    BusheyOrn Reservist

    Okaka and Zeegelaar - Both doing quite well at Udinese currently.
     

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