Saturday was a beautiful sunny day in Aberystwyth, a rare occasion for any month, but particularly unusual for an early day in March. For those interested today, (Sunday) has been the usual wind and rain. For me the Aberystwyth weather pattern seems to perfectly reflect Watford’s season, brief periods of sunshine (hope) followed by rain and storms (hope being taken away). However that doesn’t mean we can’t ‘sing in the rain’ and enjoy the rest of this season, but more importantly the future. I had made plans to see Aberystwyth Town vs Banger City during Saturday afternoon, the last opportunity to see ‘the local team’ (for only the fourth time) before 3 years of University comes to an end. The experience of seeing the ‘Black and Greens’ is rather humbling and something some football fans will not appreciate. Personally I love the experience of actually hearing the players moan at the referee, even when you know they know they are wrong. I also love seeing the linesman visibly grimace as he’s heckled by a fan (often jokingly), for being unable to keep up with play. I also like the community feel, the way in which all the fans seem to know each other. However both me and my friend who went to the game were well aware that our sides were facing crucial matches (relegation and promotion respectively) and I think deep down we were both a little bit apprehensive about seeing a game of no real importance (to us). However armed with my mobile phone, and (just as importantly) phone credit I hoped to receive occasional text updates from T-Mobile for the game that really mattered. The game the press had dubbed the Judgement Day battle between Watford and Charlton. Prior to kick-off the unexpected sunshine made me overly optimistic and I predicted a 3.0 win to Watford. T-Mobile is unreliable at keeping me updated as some might remember from the Wigan (away) blog. Therefore when the score came through that Damien Francis had scored to make it 2.0 I became paranoid that T-Mobile was mocking me, as was the Aberystwyth weather which created a small but noticeable breeze every time I rolled up my sleeves. Ominous signs that the sun would not last and neither would the Watford lead, but I forced myself to ignore any negative thoughts and to enjoy the day, just as I will enjoy the rest of this Premiership campaign. Having now seen Match of the Day, read various opinions and heard my dad’s own brief analysis of the game it appears as though the first half performance was the best since the day out in Cardiff. All the determination was back, and was mixed with a bit of attacking quality, a deserved lead at half time which could have been greater. Plenty of positives which we can build on for this season and which suggest that even with relegation the future is not bleak by any means. I reluctantly accepted relegation after the results of last weekend, but it’s still crucial that we fight for victories and I was glad to see us doing exactly that, ideally I hope we can still reach at least 30 points. I was back for the final 20 minutes, but just before I entered my house I received a text informing me Luke Young had made it 2.1 on 67 minutes. The nerves started to creep in, but having eventually accessed Watford World, things sounded ok. We still seemed to be creating chances and Charlton were not creating much, we appeared to be closing out the game. My nerves settled until Simon Oxley said the 90 minutes were almost up, reminding me of various past experiences from this season, all those last minute gut-wrenching goals. Why haven’t the players learnt? Why were we suddenly defending deep and allowing Charlton possession? Sure enough in the 89th minute it happened, and Charlton snatched an equaliser. There isn’t much more I can add, Neil Price blamed Mariappa for a lack of marking, whilst the replays suggest that Lee shouldn’t have been beaten by a header at the near post. The simple text I received which read ‘Gutted for ya’ summed up not just this game but responses I have received throughout the season. But I’ll be honest after digesting the equaliser I just shrugged my shoulders and took solace in the performance, because in my opinion good performances will be just as crucial as results for the remainder of the season. Good performances will get the fans singing and supporting more than uninspiring victories (not that I’ll be disappointed with a few more of them!). I should add if Charlton had snatched the winner with the last kick, I imagine my post-match reaction would have been greatly different. If we had lost, any positives from the first half would have been forgotten, and further depression would have sunk in. However fortunately Lisbie missed not one, but two glorious chances and although we lost two points, we still had one, we also scored some goals and Tamas Priskin had another impressive performance. 2.2 was/is not good enough for Charlton, unfortunately for their fans the agony will be prolonged that little bit longer, for us we should move on and like 1999-00 should try and enjoy what is left. With results going against all the teams in the bottom 3 I think the end to the Premiership season will be fairly predictable from now on, (at both ends). Time to look at the ever exciting Championship: Just who will gain automatic promotion? Who will be the surprise team to make the play-offs? More importantly will Southend stay up and send Leeds, QPR and Luton down? Mourinho, Ferguson, Wenger, Watch out. We’ll be back to gatecrash your Premiership Party again. Thanks for your views as always!
very good read mate mine was like yours really part from i did not watch a football match i was in work and getttin txts off my dad i do feel that after sat result it was the end of us abit of a shame but as you said lets enjoy this season we can still cause some upsets like beating chelsea in a couple of weeks and wrecking blackburn chances of finshing 6th so there is still alot of upsets watford can cause this season
