Watford FC 1-0 Sunderland - 01/04/2017

This Saturday sees the return of Premier League action to Vicarage Road in what is a vital game for both sides but probably more so for Sunderland who as usual find themselves deep in the brown stuff as is customary it seems for them. This season does seem to be their time for the drop finally but a win Saturday will give them a fighting chance with more favourable fixtures than the other sides in the bottom 3 or 4. For Watford, a win would pretty much put an end to their relegation fears but what most fans would really like to see is a good performance, something there simply hasn't been enough of in the last few months. Playing a side that has spent virtually the entire season in the bottom 3 is surely an opportunity to have a real go and show the fans what a lot of us feel they are capable of but for whatever reason doesn't happen nearly enough. Time for the likes of Success to be given more time, if he can play 30 minutes in an international surely he can be given more than 10 minutes on Saturday. I recently criticized the 1881 on their Facebook group, boy do they not like criticism, but maybe it's time for all the fans to play their part and not just the 1881 and hopefully it might inspire the players a little more.

History
A Watford vs Sunderland game from a Watford fans point of view can not be talked about without a mention of one of our finest moments as a top division team and that is the 8-0 mauling from 1982. For those their on that day, they might remember that in fact the keeper for Sunderland was probably man of the match and I don't think I've ever seen a more complete attacking performance than that by a Watford side
[video=youtube;h4QJLxHQstA]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4QJLxHQstA[/video]
The first ever game between the sides at Vicarage Road didn't happen until 1970 in a game that ended 1-1 and in fact the first 3 games ended exactly the same. this was followed by 3 straight home wins including the above game but the unbeaten run was to end in 1985 when in typical Watford style they lost 1-0 in the League cup when they were overwhelming favourites and had fans dreaming of a return to Wembley. Over the years half the games played at Vicarage Road have ended in draws including the last 3 but Watford do hold the upper hand with 6 wins to Sunderland's 4. A draw in this one will certainly not help either side.

Teams
Sunderland - Two standout players in what is otherwise a squad destined to be plying their trade at a lower level next season. Jermaine Defoe must be riding on the crest of a wave right now as his surprise recall from the international wilderness produced a very decent personal performance and of course a goal as well. A player I would love to see at Watford next season but suspect there may well be a long list of clubs after him if Sunderland do go down. The other is the goalkeeper, Jordan Pickford, like Defoe there seems likely to be a lot of clubs looking to sign him if Sunderland go down. Has been outstanding all season and without him Sunderland would probably already be down. Anichebe and Cattermole were hoping to resume training during the international window but this game may come too early. O'Shea is also doubtful and Larsson is definitely out
Watford - Somebody may correct me on this but none of the players on international duty seem to have got injured so we have pretty much have everybody available except the long term absentees. It would be great to really go for it in this game and would be nice to try 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 with Niang and Success both starting in either formation and also playing fullbacks at fullback rather than centre backs. A back 4 of Janmaat Prodl Cathcart and Holebas would seem ideal. In a 4-3-3 I would have Berahmi, Capoue and Cleverley with Niang, Deeney and Success the front 3. I do feel and have done all season though that 4-2-3-1 seems to suit the players we have. Berahmi and Cleverley holding with a midfield 3 of Success Capoue and Niang with Deeney up front. Whatever we do please god let it be more exciting than the international games

Wherever you are watching or listening lets get behind the team

 

There is only one thing needed from this game - a win.

It can be boring, it can be hoof ball, it can be turgid, but please just let it be a win.

If we lose, it will be forum meltdown and the current doom and gloom on here will seem like baby talk.

Walter, just play a team and formation with a game plan to win.

 

Is this some kind of joke?

 

He's struggled with this most the season, isn't going to start now.

If Anichebe is fit, we lose.

No doubt we'll see the ever dynamic trio of Behrami, Capoue & Cleverley again. I hope to God Capoue is dropped for Doccoure or even Watson but can't see it happening.

Hope Niang is afforded more of a forward role but can't see it happening.

Hope Success gets more than 10 minutes on the pitch but can't see it happening.

Hope Janmaat lasts more than 10 minutes on the pitch but can't see it happening.

Hope we don't start with 4 CB's across our back four but can't see it happening.

Hope Walter shows some appreciation towards the fans after the game but can't see it happening.

Same old, same old. Next season please.

 

Oh and guess what, Lee Probert is the ref. His first top-flight game since 2015.

He might just add some entertainment though.

 

A point will be a decent result

 

IMO we should be looking for a minimum of four points off the two home games next week, we certainly need them. There's been nothing funny about the football served up this season (handful of games excepted) or two wins in the last thirteen league games. There's very often a club which drops like a stone from a seemingly safe mid table position, a couple of decent results next week SHOULD put any late worries to bed.

 

This can be the most turgid, boring excuse for a football match in the 31 years I have been going as long as we get the win. We need to start quickly like we did against Everton and Leicester. Push them back and keep them back. we need to keep a very close eye on Defoe but not forget about the other players and not let someone score his only goal of the season.

In short this is a MUST WIN.
We cant keep relying on others to keep losing. We have to actually go out there and play to win. For me He has to start a front 3 of Niang/Amrabat Deeney and Success. In Midfield we need legs so for me Cleverley, Docoure with Beharmi defensive. Capoue needs a rest, like last year he tired badly. Either play him as the attacking midfielder like earlier in the season or dont play him at all. In defence Holebas and Janmaat as full backs with Prodil and Kaboul (I would have Cathcart but Wally loves Kaboul). For me with the players we have 4-3-3 is the best way to play.

Just imagine how good the world would look next Wednesday morning with those 2 wins we need under our belts...similarly imagine how bad it would look with 2 defeats.

As much as I hate Wally and want him out for 90mins on Sat its time to get behind our under performing players and try and push them onto to the win we need.

 

We have to win, I really don't fancy only being 4 points off relegation if Hull win against West Ham.

 

Can we have another international break please?

 

Please don't have Troy playing the lone striker. If he is playing there, it'll be more hoof-ball. Give him at least one other player up there with him.

 

If we lose this game, Walter will probably say something like the two-week break meant our players had forgotten how to play football.

 

Anyone got 2x tickets going for this?

 

Oh ho ho, you really don't want those.

 

Can't imagine a fan of any prem team has ever said that before

 

Even if we are, I'll think of teams like Coventry, Dover, Grampus Eight and Bushey Rangers and remind myself that things could be worse.

 

Hoping for a win at this one.

 

Kabasele will probably come on in the 91st minute for Amrabat when we are 1-0 down. Won't have to worry for long.

 

Still a pretty bleak state of affairs though.

 

If we win, I'm going to shove my undying support for Walt in your face.

If we don't, he's dead to me.

 

A win would be great.

Then we can stop worrying about results this season and start focusing on the real business of transfer gossip. Roll on the summer.

 

Lose this one and Walter has to go. If he doesn't I'll never understand what Gino is thinking.

 

I believe Everton and Sunderland fans have said it.

 

Massive game. A must win for us. A must win for Sunderland. I'm really not confident.

 

Don't think it's already been said. Lee Probert is ref, first Prem game for 72 years!

 

Lee Probert is the useless c**t who sent Angela off against Muff and then came to The Vic later in the season and signalled the score line of that game with his fingers when our fans abused him during the warm up isn't he?

 

Yes. That's the c.nt. And Angela had that red card recinded. So a complete c.nt then. Maybe we should just go on and top the c.unt. I believe he lives in the West Country b.t.w.

 

8-0, Scorer 8, sub 0, 88th minute. I see a pattern forming.

[video=youtube;7Y9SYNWkuow]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Y9SYNWkuow[/video]

 

He signalled the score to the fans????

If thats true then what a ****

 

Apparently so. I remember someone said it on the match thread for that game on here. At first I assumed it was a joke, but then a number of other posters said the same thing. Was in front of the Rous in the pre-game warm up if I remember rightly.

 

0-0 bore draw.

 

I think we will lose this as we unbelievably ****. As the Watford Observer article said - we are sleep walking towards relegation. I can't see how Gino can't see this.