Watford 0-3 Liverpool 3pm - 24/11/2018

Discussion in 'Match Day' started by Steve Leo Beleck, Nov 18, 2018.

  1. Steve Leo Beleck

    Steve Leo Beleck Squad Player

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    Huzzah! Now that England have qualified from the Europa League of European Nations League, we can get back to football's best competition, the conveniently named "Premier" League. It's all very well having international breaks for all these teams in Europe, or indeed capable of getting through two games of the League Cup, but for Watford fans used to the Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday fixture rush of the Championship, the stop-start nature is pretty boring. By the time we walk out on Saturday at Vicarage Road, we'll have played 14 games in 15 weeks since the start of the season.

    Anyway, onto the match in hand. Liverpool rock up to the Vic unbeaten in the league, and not just in Mark Lawrenson's head this time. They've conceded a measly five goals in 12 games and despite not being as fluent as last season, are averaging just under two goals a game scored. Having said that, they did get turned over recently by a Red Star Belgrade side captained by ex-Hornets legend Vujadin Savic, one of the finest players never to have played a single minute for us.

    As well as a miserly defence and a fearsome front three, Liverpool will also bring their unparalleled sense of grievance to town. Whether it's creating petitions to get Sergio Ramos banned from the World Cup, or to have the result of the Champions League final annulled, Liverpool fans never miss an opportunity to whinge about something or other. On the rare occasion they're not moaning, they spend most of their time devaluing any competition with a public vote, the most recent example being managing to secure the Puskas award for best goal of the year for a Mo Salah effort that would struggle to make Watford's top five goals of this season so far. They really are a tedious bunch, seemingly oblivious to the long-standing bias in the media that was a hangover from when they were actually a good team in the 1980s.

    Onto team news, Capoue returns from suspension and will walk straight back into the team after Chalobah's sad showing at Southampton. Will Hughes was kicked off the pitch at St Mary's after two or three late challenges, something which no-one batted an eyelid about as he's not Wilfried Zaha. There's no early news on Hughes' injury but will be interesting to see if it leads to another change in formation, particularly given Deeney's impressive showing as a substitute. If we do change formation, let's hope that Javi doesn't repeat the Anfield bants of putting an unfit, isolated Miguel Britos up against Salah.

    Daryl Janmat is back in full training, as is Tom Cleverley and there are even unconfirmed rumours that Adalberto Penaranda may have finally managed to get his visa/work permit/Spanish passport and be able to play his first competitive minute for the 'Orns. Since he signed, three head coaches have come and gone, we've been to a Wembley semi final, fellow Pozzo wonderkid Richarlison arrived and left for a record fee, and Harry the Hornet resigned and then re-signed.

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    For Liverpool, Jordan Horrendouson is a doubt after limping away from England duty. Hopefully accident-waiting-to-happen and self-styled "best defender in the world" Dejan Lovren will play. It's not clear whether Daniel Sturridge will be in the squad after recent allegations of gambling impropriety. Most of their squad will be away on international duty, so there's a fair chance that some might pick up knocks or return a bit fatigued.

    Anyway, would be great to stuff this lot like we did during the Quique season. There is no better sight than seeing an angry, yellow toothed Klopp losing his rag on the touchline, he's by far the most objectionable manager during games - all aggression, badgering of officials and over the top celebrations near opposition benches. If Warnock behaved like that it would be called out but because he smiles in his Match of the Day interviews, Klopp gets a free pass. More of the below, please...


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  2. Ray Knight

    Ray Knight First Year Pro

    Great write-up Steve. Thanks for the update on Hughes injury. Javi probably relies on this forum for medical reports. But you should not have mentioned Britos...that may have given him an idea!
     
  3. CaveManHornet

    CaveManHornet Reservist

    As per usual with Watford, there is always the possibility of getting a win here after achieving a measly 2 points from Newcastle and Southampton.

    That said, Liverpool are a real good side and are nothing like the team we faced at home in our first season up in the Prem. Their defence and forwards have improved drastically and they no longer rely on average players like Moreno, Markovic and Mignolet. Oh, and they don't have that ginger bloke in goal who literally gifted us that 3-0 win single handedly.

    Fingers crossed we get a point out of this as the teams below us are gradually catching up on us and that dream period of being in the top 7 is slowly fading away before we've even reached January (surprise, surprise)...

    This could be another Bournemouth-esque game or it could be another Spurs delight. I'm going for a 2-2 draw
     
    Ray Knight likes this.
  4. wfcSinatra

    wfcSinatra Predictor Choker 14/15

    The great thing about unbeaten runs are, they all have to end at some point.

    With Man City, Liverpool & Chelsea ALL unbeaten after 12 games, the law of probability suggests one of them have to lose soon. That's why I think we'll get a shock win on Saturday. :)
     
    Ray Knight and BusheyOrn like this.
  5. The Voice of Reason

    The Voice of Reason First Team Captain

    I don't see why not we must bedue to start converting a few of the many chances we create, arn't we?
     
    Ray Knight likes this.
  6. WillisWasTheWorst

    WillisWasTheWorst Its making less grammar mistake's thats important

    If only we had collected “a measly 2 points two points from Newcastle and Southampton”.
     
  7. sydney_horn

    sydney_horn Squad Player

    I feel far less anxious about these games than I do when we have the "easier" games like we've had recently.

    It's not that I see them as a "free hit", I see them as an opportunity to have another "one of those days" at the Vic.

    I can't wait for Saturday now.
     
    Calabrone and Ray Knight like this.
  8. Cthulhu

    Cthulhu Keyboard Warrior Staff Member

    My brothers going to this game. We tend to win when he does
     
    Ray Knight likes this.
  9. SkylaRose

    SkylaRose Administrator Staff Member

    No Salah is already licking his lips. He demolished us at Anfield last season but to be fair, we only lost to a wonder goal at home to them last season after a poor showing from us overall.

    This time we have a more mentally fit and able squad who look capable of turning up and giving them a game. It’s going to be pretty much backs to the walls but if we play like we did against Spuds we have a chance of sonething.

    Stopping “Robbie Fowler Mark 2” will be key. Huddersfield did well against them so we can definitely feel it’s not going to be totally one sided.

    A draw would be a good result, a win would be fantastic. But, I just feel they will have too much for us especially if we concede early. A good performance full of endeavour and commitment even if we do end up losing will generate positive vibes for Leicester afterwards.

    1-2
     
  10. UEA_Hornet

    UEA_Hornet First Team Captain

    We drew 3-3?
     
    Optimistichornet likes this.
  11. lowerrous

    lowerrous First Team

    It would be a boon for us if No Salah turns up to play for them.
     
  12. domthehornet

    domthehornet Moderator Staff Member

    Not confident.
     
  13. The undeniable truth

    The undeniable truth First Team Captain

    Must win game.
    0-4.
     
  14. Jumbolina

    Jumbolina First Team

    I’m just pleased these awful international fortnights are done for 4 months now.
     
  15. UEA_Hornet

    UEA_Hornet First Team Captain

    But...


    IT'S COMING HOME!!!!!!
     
    cyaninternetdog likes this.
  16. There should be no domestic break for internationals. They should be looked upon as a natural handicap for teams with deeper pockets, and an opportunity to give squad players the chance to impress. Massive sanctions against clubs withholding players on bogus medical grounds (independent medics)

    I probably haven't thought this through.
     
    RookeryDad, Glenhorn, kVA and 3 others like this.
  17. Oscar calling

    Oscar calling Squad Player

    Last chance saloon for Javi. Lose and he will be history.
     
  18. wfcmoog

    wfcmoog Tinpot

    After the failure to record wins against Newcastle and Southampton, this is a must win game. Javi needs to work out how to get a result here, or he can get on his bike pronto.
     
  19. lowerrous

    lowerrous First Team

    But, but... 4 months is 8 times as long as a fortnight!!
     
  20. wfcmoog

    wfcmoog Tinpot

    "Vujadin Savic" literally no recollection whatsoever. It's a sign of the times when players are captaining Champions League sides, having never even made a dent in our first team.

    I grew up, harbouring hopes that Adrian Bakali and Geoff Pitcher would astound us all and become world beaters. We used to sign 0-2 players a season and every one of them carried the hope of expectation on their shoulders. Nowadays more of the players we sign don't play for us than do.
     
  21. Cassetti's Beard

    Cassetti's Beard First Team

    I predict that we may win, draw or lose, and that there may or may not be a goal - it's all to play for and it could go either way.
     
  22. Cthulhu

    Cthulhu Keyboard Warrior Staff Member

    will we go again if this isn't the case?
     
  23. Forzainglese

    Forzainglese Reservist

    No. We'll take the positives and then we'll go again.
     
    Cthulhu likes this.
  24. WillisWasTheWorst

    WillisWasTheWorst Its making less grammar mistake's thats important

    Since promotion we seem to have set a pattern against the so-called 'big 6' in that we beat one of them per year as well as enjoying an annual victory over Arsenal.
    2015/16: beat Liverpool (H) and Arsenal (A - Cup)
    2016/17 : beat Man Utd (H) and Arsenal (A)
    2017/18: beat Arsenal (H) and Chelsea (H)
    This season we've already beaten Spurs (H) so if the pattern persists we only have a home win against Arsenal (or maybe in the Cup) to look forward to.
     
  25. Relegation Certs

    Relegation Certs Squad Player

    someone's swapped your M and N keys round mate.
     
  26. kVA

    kVA Reservist

    Not looking forward to this. Watford could be in for a real farter smashing here.

    The surprise early season form that allowed us to dream of Europe has drained away. The cocky ‘we should beat this lot’ attitude has long gone. Having read the views of Watford fans across social media it seems they can see why even if Gracia cannot.

    The solid defensive partnership of Cathcart and Kabesele was broken up after Kabs was sent off after being made to look like an idiot by Wilson against Bournemouth. To be fair to him he’d put in a good practice session a few days previously against Tottenham.

    Janmaat has returned to doing what he does best, being injured. He’d been doing well and would have kept out Kiko but those glass limbs weren’t going to last all season.

    Kiki has stepped in but has turned out to be bobbins since his return. He’s been so bad that there have been calls for Marriappa.

    After endearing fans with his performance and his philosophical press interviews, Holebas has reverted to the player we all knew he was.

    Even albino wonder kid Will Hughes has lost favour with the fans. Long gone are the calls for an England cap.

    A few weeks a few people were shouting for Chalobah to replace chopper Capoue. Ettiene obliged by being getting banned in time for the game against Southampton, Nate was given his chance but unfortunately the fans were not impressed and are now begging for Capoue’s to return.

    It’s a shame we only play with one central midfielder nobody plays along side Capoue.

    Delafoue is crap. Hogs the ball. We now know why he’s at Watford and not a proper football club.

    Even Pereyra can’t keep Watford fans on side despite being top scorer for so far with some wonderful goals and being called into the Argentina squad.

    Success looked a little ring rusty at first but people were pleased with his showings. A couple more starts to build his confidence in front of goal should see him turn into the complete striker we’ve been lacking. A few games on and that hasn’t happened. He can’t pass to save his life. Things have gotten so bad for him that the fans were praising Deeney's efforts after he outshone him against Southampton.

    Best finisher at the club, Okaka, missed a sitter from a couple of yards. I don’t expect he’ll make another appearance this season.

    Gracia, on his last chance with the fans but does Gino see it the same way?

    1-0 Watford
     
  27. Steve Leo Beleck

    Steve Leo Beleck Squad Player

    What is this? Do we even want to know?
     
  28. BusheyOrn

    BusheyOrn Reservist

    I love the logic of this and other similar posts! :)
     
  29. Ray Knight

    Ray Knight First Year Pro

    Play Capoue, Doucoure and Chalobah in the midfield engine room. We need a strong 'core' to frustrate their supply to their frontline and screen our defence. One flair player supporting Deeney and Success or Gray up top. Sounds like 4-4-2 would give us a chance.
     
  30. Relegation Certs

    Relegation Certs Squad Player

    Absolutely scintillating post. You've nailed it.

    We're f------ s---. And about as likeable as a fist in the plopper.

    3-0 us.
     
  31. Pozzo Out

    Pozzo Out Squad Player

    If Van Dijk plays, we lose to nil.
     
  32. Relegation Certs

    Relegation Certs Squad Player

    He's the most overrated player on the planet. I don't necessarily disagree with your post though.
     
    Knight GT and Burnsy like this.
  33. SkylaRose

    SkylaRose Administrator Staff Member

    I remember when we played them under GT at the Vic and Richard Johnson scores a good goal to lull us back into it the game.

    Totally different sides now obviously but a bit of steel shown from that game and the commitment under the QSF display would almost certainly not go amiss.

    Oh and sorry I was thinking about the year prior to that. Just woken up so excuse the forgetfulness.
     
  34. Cthulhu

    Cthulhu Keyboard Warrior Staff Member

    If we do lose this place will go into its usual meltdown about how **** all the players are. The shoutbox doubly so. HB1 will blame the worst ref we have had all season ;-)

    If we draw or win the players will once again be world beaters and all of them will have played excellent games.

    The reality is we are a top half side (ish) and we have about a 1 in 10-20 chance of a win.The players are the players.
     
  35. Cthulhu

    Cthulhu Keyboard Warrior Staff Member

    When was the last time we played out a 0-0? April?

    Im going to be contrary and go for 0-0, with the tactical genius that is Gracia somehow managing to manipulate our useless/world beating players into an effective defensive unit.
     

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