One of Pearson’s biggest achievements thus far. He’s been immense in the last few games. Some thought he was finished at this level but he’s proving otherwise....
I agree. He was really good again today and held the ball up well. He looks almost back to his best and is getting more confident each game. One black mark against him today was that FK. Pretty bad but let's give him credit, he is much improved and credit to Pearson and Shakey.
One small change that's making all the difference for me; he no longer looks terrified of getting stuck into a challenge. The mental block he had after an injury is well and truly gone, agreed, fantastic again today.
Absolutely loved seeing him unceremoniously barge Alli off the ball when tracking back toward the halfway line. He did the same to Moura earlier in the game too. Proving a lot of people wrong, which is brilliant to see.
Wonder what Pearson has said or done, because after Tranmere Chalobah said he had a private reason to thank him. Whatever it was it’s great to see
He seems to have gained some pace from somewhere he can really move when he has to. Is becoming the player we all knew was in there
I was one of those writing him off, but thankfully he is beginning to prove me wrong and long may it continue
It looked like a long shot he would get back to his best. I hoped he would, but didn’t expect it. You can see he is loving football at the moment.
Hughes injured. Chalobah steps up to the plate. Femenia injured. Masina steps up. Kabasele injured. Dawson steps up. Sarr injured.......... Pussetto? When Pearson lands on a snake, his next roll of the dice lands on two ladders.
It's been an almost overnight transformation back to his best. Seems like it was still there and Pearson and Shaky have been able to unlock it. It takes real understanding, insight and intellect to change people's belief in themselves for the better, especially so quickly.
Might be Shakespeare’s influence too, whatever the situation, it’s a major plus for us. Psychology is an enormously important aspect of sport. Doucoure, Sarr, Masina, Dawson, all seem to have far more belief and confidence since the new regime took over.
He's a player I've really, really wanted to get back to his best. Of course you want everyone to hit their peak, but Chalobah is undoubtedly an incredibly talented player and suffered from a freak accident that could have happened to anyone. The longer it went on the more I doubted he would have an impact but he is really getting back to his best now.
Writing off a young England international, who loves the club, coming back from a terrible injury?? Voice of treason!!
Hmm, I don’t think it’s been overnight at all, I think it’s been the opposite. It’s been gradual and he’s improved in every game. He still looked fairly hopeless in the first few games under Pearson, far too slow on the ball and looking half asleep at times. He’s very gradually got better with every game.
I agree, he has been getting better with time. It was obviously a confidence problem he had following his injury, and that would only reduce over time.
I’m not sure I’ve seen a player be out for so long and get back to their best like this. Amazing really - his levels last season and at the start of this were miles below what he is producing now. I thought he was finished and it’s great to be proved wrong.
On the radio yesterday they said that When he was pulled off vs Villa after only coming on as a sub 15 minutes or so earlier, Pearson first apologised and explained on the side of the pitch the reason why, and then at full time in the dressing room thr first thing he said was something like "Firstly I'd like to personally apologise to Nat for having to take him off. It was purely tactical". I'm not saying that's why, but I guess things like that help.
I said he should retire, many times. He looked finished at this level. Yet, he has had magic beans from someone. He still looks less mobile than before, but streets ahead of the ponderous player earlier on in the season. NP and GS must take some credit.
Might be a late, late shout for the Euro's squad. We do struggle for quality in the deeper CM positions, plenty of CAM's but Winks, Rice & Henderson is all we have in the other two midfield spots.
I had it in my head he was a lot more combative. He certainly used to affect games a lot more before his injury
Pereyra wasn’t more combative. But he was far more ‘spritely’ and trusted his body when running at full speed - he seems to never go above 3rd fear when he runs now.
What happens when Hughes is fully fit ? Chalo has been great but so too was Hughes in the deep lying role before he got injured.
I would think that Doucoure might be the one that gathers a few splinters , as other than his super season a couple of years back I think he is overrated. His passing is atrocious and he often gives the ball away, maybe he needs a kick up the backside then he might rediscover his best form.
But he is playing a more forward looking box to box role and chipping in with goals. I doubt he would be dropped....
Not that it means anything, but the next Watford player that media pundits seem to mention after Deeney as our most important is usually Doucoure.
Exactly, the media haven't got a clue about our players, they only talk about the ones they have heard of. All you have to do is look at the scores given in the papers they rarely bear any resemblance to how people have played, many a time Deeney or Doucoure get the highest scores even when they have been ****.