Bristol City played with the confidence of a side with a new manager bounce, and the energy of a side who had an extra day's rest. Our right flank has been our biggest weakness defensively (and sometimes offensively) this season, and it was exposed again today with Andrews having a poor game and losing his runner repeatedly, plus him also producing a lame non-attempt at a block for their first goal. Hoedt and Kayembe have been two of our best players of late, but they've also been two of the ones who have basically played every minute - and today they were two of our more sloppy players and ones who looked most in need of a rest. The silver lining of today, if there can be one, is that hopefully it means there won't be any complacency going in to the January transfer window, especially when it comes to RB. Andrews was poor today and still should be a rotation option, Ngakia can't be relied upon, and TDB should only be used there in an emergency (or if we're perhaps going all out attack). A defensively sound, more experienced RB who isn't a crock would be handy.
As a very long time Watford fan, I have experienced this type of situation so often, you would think I would get used to it. After the last couple of months, there was a hope that we could get some consistency and put in a real push for the playoffs. Today was atrocious. It was uninspiring dross. Fair play to Bristol City as they approached the game with the correct attitude and hunger and made us look like we were a group of hungover Sunday league players. Aside from Asprilla and Healey (for his cameo) I saw no desire or application from our players. Some had very poor games with Hoedt the standout in terms of lack of quality (and the og was not his worst effort of the day). All we can do is hope this was just a bad day at the office. We are some way off being a legitimate promotion contender, despite the decent performances of recent weeks. I would hope that Val shares my deep dissatisfaction with that performance and can shake the **** out of them for the next challenge.
Poor, very poor. Hoedt was shocking (even excluding the OG which he had to get something on as the Bristol player was following in). Did play some decent balls to Asprilla though TDB at right back has to end. He simply cannot defend and just gets beaten again and again. Amazed Rajovic stayed on as long as he did - in a game where we were struggling to both create chances and hold onto the ball Bayo would've helped us link up play a bit more. On a positive note Healey looked full of confidence, was chucking himself into tackles, had a good header. His gait looked much improved as well, think I mentioned it a month or so ago that he looked like bambi on ice when running, that's now gone and he seems to have a bit of a spark. Interesting that he was 2nd choice striker today over Bayo. Fair play to Manning, Bristol could spring a surprise on the league for the remainder of the season.
No I disagree with this - we were at least trying until the end today and putting them under pressure. Preston had basically given up entirely by 2-1.
All on Ismael today for me, wrong selection up top with Rajovic and then failed/refused to react to Bristol’s excellent tactical set up. Lost count of how many times they got in via our right back position because of the refusal to abandon the inverted full back set up Bristol left a forward between our CBs when out of possession and then pressed us high and we simply couldn’t build out from the back at all. At one point in the 2nd half they were 3-1 up away from home and holding their defensive line on the half way line - no pace in behind, no plan B from us - completely suffocated Need to add some options in Jan, as the tactical blue print to beat us was there on display for anyone watching today
Yeah, this is spot on for me. I mentioned in the shoutbox that people keep crediting Val with making changes to win matches. But it'd be fine by me if he just got the team selection right from the start and we looked strong straightaway.
Before the rant, well done Bristol City and Manning. Setup correctly, attacked us down right where we are weakest, made Hoedt score another own goal then make him play their striker onside for their third goal. Fourth goal I didn't see because I turned it off near the end. As bad as we were, credit has to go to BC today and take nothing away from them, they battered us all game and forced us into errors and took their chances. From our prospective, whatever was in that malt whiskey, stick the rest of it down the sink. VI's constant chopping and changing of the line up is not helping our cause at all. Yes we were bound to get punished heavily again since Leeds and today was the day. Nobody turned up worth a damn and despite "Dave" finally getting on the scoresheet with a goal, we had very little to cheer or be happy about. Only positive thing is we can put this result out of sight if we beat Stoke City on the 29th. However, that is not far off and I do not think we will have the time to get over such as result/performance as a team till then. Hoedt with another OG, I mean come on, has that wonder goal at Hull gone to his head? He hasn't been the same since. Why did VI start Raj? Bristol City did exactly what I expected them to do, play down our weaker side and exploited us to no end all game. Left side wasn't much better and how many times are we going to play an opponent onside? Whatever the gameplan, tactics or formation was today, chuck it in the bin because Stoke will do exactly the same as Bristol did. People have been saying it all season, and maybe the good results have painted over this, but we have riding a lot of luck this season with other teams not finishing chances. Are we really as bad as 1-4 suggested? No, not as a team overall but today we were totally outclassed from a side on a good run with a new manager bounce. BC have some decent players' and we just could not cope with their press. I think oppo managers are getting the memo how to play us now. Especially if we continue to start Rajovic, get down the wings and stop the crosses. We are not going to score, or threaten. VI got it completely wrong today and he must accept much of the blame. But as I said in the opening paragraph, Bristol City were excellent. Our home form is a bit dodgy of late, and we only have three days till our next game, again at home. Defence was all over the shop and closing down strikers was not taken into account. Another Boxing Day battering at home. Millwall last year, Bristol City this year. Surely this is not a sign of things to come? Lose badly again to Stoke and I think any goodwill VI and the side had built up could be cracking faster than we anticipated. Bad day at the office, lots to work on, nothing to take from it at all as a positive. We need to move on and move on quick.
Uff yes it was a shocker today. Very poor. Maybe it’s just my memory but I can’t recall us ever having many happy Boxing Day matches. We always seem sluggish after Christmas. It’s such a shame as despite all our obvious shortcomings, one thing we haven’t seemed to lack this season has been good fitness levels. And a good fighting spirit too most of the time. And Val hasn’t got a huge amount wrong since Sunderland. We even got another goal off the bench today. But that was poor. Very poor. Just before I face a long drive home down the M5 to my home area populated with merry Bristol City fans uff, I will just say this. I still think we are ahead of where we could have expected to be with only one match left of 2023. We have grown and developed a fair bit, and hopefully today will just be one of those days you can get at any time in the Championship. I always felt talk of the play-offs was wildly optimistic, and equally that a relegation battle was unlikely. We look a classic mid-table outfit for now, capable of some very good results (as seen lately) but some rather bad ones too like today. My advice to anybody over-reacting tonight (and happily nobody on here seems to be) is keep your expectations realistic and try to enjoy watching a somewhat limited squad often punch above their weight. Top ten and a cup run wouldn't be so bad this season imo. Won’t save me from a week of hassle from all the City fans in my town though grr. Wish me luck! Happy Boxing Day evening one and all.
Too many errors - gifted them 3 goals. Shame we scored then let one in straight away . We looked leggy and lazy really BC pressed us well and very dangerous on the break and down their left .
You're correct in my memory Malts. Losing 1-0 to the inevitable ***** breakaway goal is my abiding memory of Boxing Day,Stein or the snooker player or Mal Dinghy or whatever his name was. Dress as a pantomime horse, you'll be fine!
@Malteser2 only good game we've ever played on boxing day was Xisco's first game. We beat Norwich 1-0.
I’d be easily recognised if I did. Back end of a horse and all that! Maybe I should dress normally for once. That might fool them! Am I right we play the return fixture very soon? Not long then to get revenge...or suffer a league double uff
It felt like we were overdue a day like today. We seemed to save all our deficiencies for one game: slow, ponderous, often inaccurate passing, a calamitous Hoedt own goal, poor general defending and poor tactical choices. We don't quite have the squad depth for a serious play-off push in my opinion, and we will blow some more hot and cold between now and May. Hopefully this does not spell the beginning of a bleak midwinter, more a case of one too many mince pie for our players over the festive period.
Disappointing to see Rajovic coming in for so much criticism. He may not be a Vydra or a Blissett or even a Wilkinson but give him an open net from two yards out and six times out of ten he'll bury it
We've been awesome since my decision to stop going to games. Today I decided to go for the first time since we have been good. This result is on me. I promise I will stay away.
Could anything say bookmaker Mr Q likes the odds stacked firmly in its favour more clearly and loudly than the ludicrous 'centre spot challenge'. The three saps who stepped forward to try their luck at the impossible task today didn't even manage to get the ball inside the centre circle between them! At the next home game I understand Mr Q will be giving one lucky fan the chance to win a million. That's right - One Million Pounds is up for grabs with Mr Q's Jump Over the Sir Elton John Stand Challenge!!!!! From a standing start anywhere on the pitch (taking a run-up is strictly forbidden) simply propel yourself over the roof of the Elton John stand and land safely in Occupation Road to go home with this life-changing sum of money courtesy of Mr Q - the punter's friend!
I agree with the sentiment and yes he is a good poacher, but for games where the opposition have all the ball and are stopping us from getting down the wings to deliver the ball into the box, we need to start a striker who can make a run off the ball or create something out of nothing. Bayo has his limitations we know that, but he is full of energy and must be gutted he was frozen out today. Healy is similar, young, and is getting better each game. Had 30mins extra game time too. Having Raj up front in games like today where he is doing nothing at all to create anything, it's like having a traffic cone up top.
He may contribute nothing all match but, as I say, if the ball falls to him two yards out in front of a completely open goal I'd fancy him to score 6 out of 10 times. Ok maybe 5 out of 10 times. But my point stands
Happy Christmas everyone. I'm remarkably sanguine regarding the footy. Grandma mentioned to the 6 year old that Santa isn't real and she's ok. So **** the result today. Love to all.
Heard a rumour that we were good again so decided to go. Obviously this was nonsense as we are still utter dross. It doesn’t help that we still have potentially the worst striker in our history stinking up the place and the manager seemingly content with playing with 10 men when he picks him. The only positive was the reincarnation of Frank Butcher doing the PA work and even sporting a flat cap whilst rasping out the substitutes and other empty platitudes. Breathtakingly hilarious.
Just a heads up, Stoke who we play next also on a new manager bounce, are currently battering "Wazza's Brum" 3-0. So, yeah.
This result has been in the cards for some time. I’ve felt we’ve ridden our luck in a lot of recent performances. Today the luck ran out and the real Watford were revealed. This is why I’ve always felt we’d be in a relegation fight, as we’re sh1t, but VI has done a brilliant job getting 34 points from the dross we call a squad. Today is what I expect to see most weeks, but have been pleasantly surprised when it hasn’t happened. It’s a reminder any team can destroy us at any time if we’re not on it. Watford get the back-to-back away wins against difficult opponents only to get destroyed in a very winnable match. You just cannot trust them, and it wouldn’t surprise me in the slightest if we go on a long losing run now…….but we’ll see what the reaction is against Stoke. I should have known it was going to be a bad day as the gestapo were beating up kids in the family stand. I’m going to make an official complaint to the club as to the heavy handed stewarding on entering the stadium. It’s totally out of order.
Thank you, yes looking forward to Friday. Could it have been worse it it had been an early KO Paid for hive but missed most of it following my grandchildren around thankfully.
We need a target man who can get good possession when we are under pressure. As hard as Bayo tries he is not the answer either.
You are correct and I was at Preston and was seriously considering bailing out after 40 minutes because of the performance and my train getting cancelled. However , Bristol City were excellent. That number 11 was an absolute nuisance.
