I don’t think we are unpopular, at least not now. I just think most pundits only know and care about the “big” teams.
All fans are hyper sensitive about whether the media/pundits are saying anything positive or negative about their club week to week & we are no different. I don't mind us being the underdog in any way, but having said that the wider public perception is one of respect of the achievement so far 'hard to play against' 'attack minded' 'play as a team' all of which will do me. The last week we have been praised in the media a lot more than the other way around, so it's important to get it in context. It really is not hate against us as you suggest. As much as we might not want to enter our realm the truth is that Tottenham were far from their best on Sunday & we have to acknowledge & accept that also. No point anyone quoting Merson anymore, unfortunately he's just a bit of a div, regardless of whether he praises Watford or not. The one pundit who is impressing me recently is Jermain Jenas. Second only to Wrighty.
Don't know where to post this, was in the Guardian's comments section today. Incidentally their sport section/podcast is all extremely positive on us. Many years ago my brother was in the motor trade. He was off to see a car for sale and asked if I wanted to come along. I duly went and found myself going over the finer details of a Mercedes Benz parked in the forecourt of Watford Football club. The Vialli years of expensive purchases had now put the club into administration and here we were looking at purchasing one of the club car's that belonged to one of their worst buys under Vialli - Ramon Vega (ex Tottenham) My brother liked the car and told me he was going to pop into reception and strike a deal. All was left would be to go to a bank on the High Street and get a Bankers Draft drawn in the name of Watford Football Club and the car would be ours. My brother went in and was back out in 5 minutes. "Did the Club secretary accept your offer ?" I enquired. "She did better than that. She said instead of a Bankers Draft, if I could give her cash today, she would knock another few grand off. Apparently, they need ready cash to pay the players this week" Football really is a funny game.
Sorry hb1,as soon as you wrote 'Merson' I stopped reading.Do Sky employ him to do their bit for care in the community? Pitiful pundit. Although I understand he is now a small village overlooking the Nene Valley and is to marry a very appealing pot plant.
Although I understand he is now a small village overlooking the Nene Valley and is to marry a very appealing pot plant.[/QUOTE] "a small village in Lincolnshire, commanding spectacular views of the Nene valley"
"a small village in Lincolnshire, commanding spectacular views of the Nene valley"[/QUOTE] Michael thought about this option I hear but on reflection and due to his his former existence as a rapid,lean canine,decided against the Lincolnshire village. He prefers Cambridgeshire as he can be closer to Fitzbillies. He especially likes a pot of Earl Grey and a cheese scone.
I'm glad I actually go to the match. It seems like it's a very stressful experience watching us on telly. It's a simpler experience when you see us live. Win and it's ace, lose and it's *****. There's nothing more to it than that. Sad that you people's lives are so heavily influenced by terds on the telly.
Aren't they supposed to do what the coaches tell them to do? And some might get them to do harder routines than others
It's 1982 all over again. In a way it can galvanise a team. Playing above and beyond your perceived status just to prove them wrong. This bias will not change until media companies decide to employ pundits who have not been involved in the so called football elete. There's an old school order and unfortunately for us there is not any one to fight for the Watford cause. We are so patronised that the general perception of Watford is always negative. I'm not suprised that the level of this increases with every win.
I actually like Merson. I think he's funny and entertaining and is happy to be the butt of all the studio jokes with his mispronunciation. As long as you don't take seriously anything he says, he's great entertainment.
If we carry on in our current run of form, the media will u-turn and swap to the short term, patronising "plucky club" narrative. We'll hear all about how Gracia is a genius and how it's a once in a lifetime adventure for Watford fans. Then they'll move swiftly on to dribbling on about some small aspect of one of the top 6.
Born in Scotland, moved to Hatfield when he was a kid. Came up through the St Albans folk scene ( didnt know there was one)
Didn't Merson get released from the club by GT as a youngster? Maybe he still has a chip on his shoulder
The most encouraging thing about all our wins is the defence. I believe you win from the back. If we can stay organised, fit and determined in defence then we won't lose many. It's the polar opposite to what we saw under the snake. I never felt confident that we would win with Silva, even when we were ahead late in the second half. Under Javi, once we go ahead we look solid and can manage games a lot better. We don't sit back after getting one though, like we did with QSF. As others have pointed out, we are getting two goals in quick succession by keeping up the intensity after scoring. Javi is starting to look like a very astute manager imho.
This is an excellent point. He's like a combination of QSF and Silva, but with a sprinkling of his own aceness on top. If we could just add mazzarri's dress sense to the mix then we really would be in business.
Yes, but we haven't been fitter than everyone else, as was the case in GT's time. But this season we've been able to play a high-energy pressing game without running out of steam in the second half
Danny Murphy asked entirely unironically in the Summer of 2015 what would happen when all the loans go back! I absolutely agree with this, it's always ridiculous to have two Liverpool blokes and a former player of the opposition; it's no wonder they know **** all about us and talk **** as a result.
Good news! We are all correct. Born Glasgow, time spent in Hatfield/St Albans, then to LA. Hon degree from Uni of Herts. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donovan
He wasn't released by the club but Arsenal offered his parents a new washing machine with tumble dryer or some such and he moved to the Gunners. GT was going to report AFC as what they did was illegal, but decided it wasn't worth the legal hassle. If he has a chip on his shoulder about that, at least will be covered by a crisply laundered shirt
Journos write for their audience. If 90% support/have heard of Liverpool players & 10% support/have heard of Watford players, it's clear what the story is. This is accentuated with tv pundits who are self perpetuating cliques dominated by group think & no think. Lampard & Henry were the only two worth listening to & no surprise that they have swiftly fled the ****wittery of the studio. The intriguing story of the valiant underdog only really applies when there is space to fill. In yesterday's Times footie section (20 pages to cover 3 Sunday matches) half the match report focused on us & there was even the 1983 league table (to highlight how infrequently we do well). Oddly, the separate box on Poch's woes was illustrated by 2 pix of Elton & kids.
The washing machine would be a preferable pundit on the Jeff Stelling show (esp if it doesn't work any more).
TOM WALLEY: Paul Merson was training with us and one night he didn’t come. I said to Tommy Darling, ‘Listen, Tommy, he’s gone.’ Tommy said, ‘Don’t be daft, he won’t go.’ Anyway, Merson had gone, to Arsenal, and his old mum had got a brand new washing machine out of it. We never paid for players but we didn’t have a chance to offer her a washing machine! We never paid, we weren’t at it. That was the way we went, but I might have offered her a washing machine for him. http://watfordlegends.com/enjoy-the-game/tom-walley-enjoy-the-game-interview/
Could Troy fill the yawning gap in the market for a Bottom 14 pundit in a few years? A rich man's Steve Claridge.
There were three guys, they looked like Richard Kimble, Han Solo and Jack Ryan (the Patriot Games one, not the Hunt for Red October).
