Norwich City 1-3 Watford Fc - 18/09/2021

Discussion in 'Match Day' started by BeersThen, Sep 12, 2021.

  1. BeersThen

    BeersThen Reservist

    As I walked down Hagden Lane after the Wolves match yesterday, I did feel sorry for the poor chap / chapess lined up to preview the next game, then realised it was me.


    [​IMG]

    So here we are, the first of two six pointers - before a visit from Mike Ashleys’ whinging Mackem’s, it’s a trip to those six fingered carrot munchers at the University of East Anglia. And apologies for the poor quality of this preview, I was going to ask my Norwich supporting brother in law (one of five) for some detailed analysis and tactical insight, but this week he broke his arm falling off a sit-on mower, no lie.

    Still one positive is that I won’t have to spend another afternoon in the Upper GT next to the guy who spent the whole Wolves match moaning because his BBC Sports App wouldn’t refresh stopping him seeing how Ronaldo was getting on. Then claimed he would see everyone at Carrow Road.

    A quick nip round a few Norwich forums sees them blaming the refs for the defeat at the Emirates, nothing to do with Arsenal’s 30 attempts at goal. Apparently they played their best football of the season. Other forum based moans include:
    • time for a change at goalie (got to be Krul to be kind),
    • too much playing from the back and pointless passing between the CBs (sounds familiar),
    • lack of anyone holding it ‘up front’,
    • a call from “Iwans Big Toe” to stay positive because "it's Watford next"
    • and someone asking if there’s an App so you can track which grounds you’ve visited as they can’t remember where they’ve been.
    “Canary Wundaboy: pretty much sums up the state of mind for next week I think, he says:

    My Wish list for Watford:
    - Normann starts
    - At least one goal from open play
    - 3 points

    No idea who Normann is.

    Goes without saying that Norwich will see this as a huge opportunity to get things rolling, I’m amazed this isn’t part of Sky’s Super Sunday.

    [​IMG]
    Is CheapJacks still there?

    As for us, all that warm shininess post-Villa has wandered off, the second half vs Wolves was particularly bad but bit like Norwich, what did we expect? We’ve signed cheapies, freebies, cast offs and spent most of what little money we did have on a loser. The manager seems like a nice bloke, I still think he got lucky last year, but his tactics and decisions are woeful and if he’s still hanging around after a few more defeats then that’s confirmation of Pozzo and Duxbury settling for the dosh this year.

    Both teams won’t want to lose this, so I’ll go 0-0 and Lineker demanding another £40k to even pass comment on such garbage.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 12, 2021
    ST1968, brumhorn, Dr. Roland and 18 others like this.
  2. Steve Leo Beleck

    Steve Leo Beleck Squad Player

    I think they'll beat us.

    Unless Joao Pedro is back, then I'll convince myself he'll save our season... until he doesn't.
     
  3. GoingDown

    GoingDown "The Stability"

    I think we're looking at a massive massive win here.
     
  4. Happy bunny

    Happy bunny Cheered up a bit

    The Mackens are Sunderland. This mistake calls into question everything you wrote. Nobody in Norwich munches carrots they don't see this as an opportunity for a win and it orobably isn't your turn to preview
     
    Lloyd and SkylaRose like this.
  5. RS2

    RS2 Squad Player

    Norwich will still have the psychological scars of our two thumping wins over them last season.

    Norwich 3 - 0 Watford
     
  6. Smudger

    Smudger Messi's Mad Coach Staff Member

    Well they and Newcastle are struggling. If we cannot put on a performance and hopefully a win against these sides then the chances of avoiding the drop will get that much greater. The players need to step it up. Their decision making, the speed at which they play the ball, the desire to retrieve the ball and using initiative.
     
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  7. a19tgg

    a19tgg First Team

    If we can’t beat Norwich we may as well pack up and call it a day. We even beat them twice in our relegation season, with even QSF masterminding a win over them.
     
  8. hornetboy1

    hornetboy1 First Team Captain

    We’ve had a relatively easy start to the season, which continues for the next two games.

    By contrast Norwich have had a very difficult start playing Liverpool, City, Leicester & Arsenal.

    It’s no surprise they’ve lost all 4. It’s very disappointing we’ve lost 3 of the 4 easier games.

    This is Norwich’s first real winnable game, and although we tend to do well at their place, we’re just not looking like a team of any belief or cohesion.

    Norwich are a weak side, but they are well drilled with a good coach. I think that will be enough, with home advantage, to beat us.

    I’ve given Xisco until Newcastle before deciding his fate, but depending on the manner of defeat, it could be his last match in charge.

    The thing is, because of such a big change in the team, losing the big voice in Deeney, we do need a strong leader to pull it all together. I’m not sure Munoz is quite that figure.

    If we get nothing from the next two games, then I think it is inevitable we’ll go down, so unless we’re totally convinced Xisco is the right guy I would make the change now. We cannot risk burning through games like Norwich and Newcastle before sacking him.
     
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  9. Malteser2

    Malteser2 Reservist

    We’ve lost 4 of our last 5 away games, and scored only one goal in that time (ironically at Norwich, whose minds were most likely elsewhere after their promotion celebrations).

    We are generally toothless on the road, and sadly sleepwalking towards an easy relegation.
     
    SkylaRose likes this.
  10. Hogg-DEENEY!!!

    Hogg-DEENEY!!! Squad Player

    I think Norwich are lucky in a way to have had such a difficult start, almost like they've had their free hits while their squad was incomplete, and now they've added a bit more steel, they're more able to attack the winnable games. This will certainly be harder than our two games against them last season where we were quite comfortable despite the 1-0 scoreline
     
  11. Heidar

    Heidar Squad Player

    We have the ingredients of a good team, but it just didn't work at all. International breaks with 3 games in 2 weeks aren't ideal for preparing a brand new team.

    Huge week on the training pitch. Oh and maybe work on a style of play that doesn't include:

    - Bachmann to Troost, Troost to Sierralta, to Troost, to Sierralta.
    - Short ****ing corners
     
  12. wfc4ever

    wfc4ever Administrator Staff Member

    Got draw written all over it this one
     
  13. Supertommymooney

    Supertommymooney Squad Player

    I fear you are right about the season.

    I still think we'll beat Norwich. Because we always do.

    Norwich 0-3 Watford (Gosling 12, 17, 93)
     
  14. RS2

    RS2 Squad Player

    That's what we did last season as well. It's the Xisco philosophy.
     
  15. SkylaRose

    SkylaRose Administrator Staff Member

    Have to start Gosling. Kucko has looked more and more toilet since Villa, bar a few bright sparks. Norwich are like us in this division - woeful and sometimes rather lucky. We are in a terrible rot of form, and cannot afford to go
    to a side below us and lose. Norwich win this and they get a lift and could go on a bit of a run themselves. I have no doubt however, that both of us will be looking down the barrel of the relegation zone come the new year. We are full
    of second hand aging mercanaries who "can" preform well, but more often than not don't. Our attacking outlet is about as sharp as my Science teachers sweater from Watford Grammar, but we need to change our attitude. Norwich will
    be up for this one, knowing we could be a walk over on current form.

    I don't think we will lose however, I think Xisco may look at this game as his last chance to sort this mess out. 4pts minimum from the next two.

    Norwich 1 Watford 1
     
  16. Hogg-DEENEY!!!

    Hogg-DEENEY!!! Squad Player

    I get Kucka hasn't hit the form of the Villa game since, but surely Gosling isn't the answer? Tufan for me Clive
     
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  17. SkylaRose

    SkylaRose Administrator Staff Member

    True - but we may well need a Gosling OMG goal like last time out in Norfolk. Joking aide- of course Tufan would be the obvious choice. :)
     
  18. Malteser2

    Malteser2 Reservist

    I really don’t like being negative. It’s not my character, and besides I’m on such a high after events at Flushing Meadow.

    But it’s very difficult to argue against the case that we will finish bottom.

    We don’t look to have any player capable of hitting ten league goals this season. Right now, even five looks a long way off.

    We can’t keep clean sheets with our strongest defence, so heaven knows what happens if we get injuries or suspensions there.

    We have a number one keeper who doesn’t have the CV you’d hope for in that position (compared to the likes of Almunia, Gomes and Foster).

    We are so dependant on Sarr, and when he doesn’t fire, we don’t tend to either. And he’s not really fired since the opening day.

    We have a midfield of cloggers, of warriors, of stoppers rather than scorers or even creators.

    We are generally awful on the road.

    We have a very inexperienced coach, who was the right man for the moment last season but is starting to look out of his depth alongside the big boys.

    We are losing to the sort of opponents we need points off to give ourselves a chance, while the likes of the big four still lie in wait.

    I’ve rarely been more despondent about a season ahead. It’s already reminding me of 1999. A big win early on followed by quickly slipping down to our more natural level.
     
    SkylaRose likes this.
  19. hornetboy1

    hornetboy1 First Team Captain

    Can’t disagree with any of this. For me, the buck stops with the recruitment and ultimately the owner for setting such a low budget.

    To be fair to Giaretta, he’s done well on a zero budget, but it’s not enough. We’ve underinvested in the defence, although Rose looks like a good acquisition. We’ve not signed a regular goalscorer, so it’s left us with a mistake-prone defence and a blunt strike force. Add into the mix a rookie coach and is it any wonder we’re struggling?

    But we are in the Premier League, which for a club of Watford’s size is above our natural station really. We can moan, criticise and complain, but at the back of it all has to be the appreciation that we are doing well being in the top league in the first place. The fact we are is down to the skill of the owner.

    But I think unless something drastic happens, we are going down. That is inevitable. We have an outside chance if we hire a more experienced coach, as I do see some potential with this squad, but it’s got to be lead by a clever coach who is very tactically astute. That’s unfortunately not Xisco.

    For me, our only hope is to act now and hire someone better suited to getting the most out of a limited squad.

    I hope we don’t act too late.
     
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  20. Lloyd

    Lloyd Squad Player

    Hopefully Xisco will use this game to give some of the kids a run out and keep our key players (I'm not entirely sure who they are anymore) fresh for Stoke on Tuesday night
     
  21. wfcSinatra

    wfcSinatra Predictor Choker 14/15

    If Gosling is the answer, I’m not sure I want to know the question.
     
  22. Xisco needs to show some balls and stop playing on the counter. If you let the opposition have the ball for the whole game they will do something with it. Time he learned that lesson.

    We have a first 11 that should be far better than what we've seen so far.

    Lose this game and I think it's curtains for him.
     
  23. Chumlax

    Chumlax Squad Player

    Fletcher, obviously.
     
  24. Chumlax

    Chumlax Squad Player

    Not to be ungrateful or anything, but I can't frankly see why that stopped him speaking some canary-flavoured words to you.
     
  25. Relegation Certs

    Relegation Certs Squad Player

    Law of averages says we will lose this one.

    Law of having a shyt team does too.
     
    a19tgg likes this.
  26. lowerrous

    lowerrous First Team

    He'll def come in and save our season, just as he did when we initially signed him in Jan 2020.
     
  27. WillisWasTheWorst

    WillisWasTheWorst Its making less grammar mistake's thats important

    That Watford team printed in the 80s programme still looks great, doesn’t it?
     
  28. westbridgfordhornet

    westbridgfordhornet First Year Pro


    Answering your big question Beers which brought back memories, there's still this pale imitation. As they certainly don't say, South Oxhey's answer to ****ie Dirts...
    [​IMG]

    And of course, to assist your analysis we have, Cheap Jack plus not so Cheap Jack!
    upload_2021-9-12_17-38-31.jpeg upload_2021-9-12_17-39-28.jpeg
     
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  29. BigRossLittleRoss

    BigRossLittleRoss First Team

    Am off to Letsby Avenue for this one.

    Have heard the half time grub is top notch, am looking forward to chowing down on Delias Pie.
     
  30. Clive_ofthe_Kremlin

    Clive_ofthe_Kremlin Squad Player

    Don't really agree that we have had 4 'easy' matches. Wolves have been a consistent top half team recently and according to reports put up a good display, despite losing narrowly, against City, United etc. Spuds are big 6 and will have expected to beat us - they nearly didn't. We saw that Brighton too, are a very good team in a good place at the moment. Nobody can see them going down. Seem to have a very good manager.

    3 points isn't too bad a return from those games considering.

    Similarly, Norwich are most definitely *not* a "poor team" as someone wrote earlier. A draw would be a decent result. Newcastle will be difficult too. They have some excellent players. A draw against them wouldn't be the end of the world either.

    Calls to sack Muñoz after 4 games are laughable. Doesn't he still have the best winning percentage of any Watford manager? Before the Wolves game everyone was praising the starting line up, even though it had more new boys than old hands in it. I said it was brave and it would be interesting to see how it worked - well it didn't really. You'd suppose these players need at least a few games to get used to each other.

    What was disappointing was that we were supposed to have a big bully boy midfield - sacrificing creativity for brawn. Wolves still constantly zipped it around and played straight through the middle without being troubled.

    Cisco will know best, but you'd suppose one of the three midfielders will be replaced with either Louza or Tufan. Sissoko is one of the first names on the teamsheet (and he's really impressed me so far - going to get better and better I think. Love those backspun chips forward and so does Sarr) and despite Kucka's rapid rise up the boo boy charts, I'd tend towards keeping him in for his experience, passing quality and ability to win the ball. So Etebo - who went missing a bit on Saturday at times - would be on the bench.

    Up front it seems the consensus that we keep going with King. Fletcher wasn't on the bench for some reason on Saturday, but if things aren't going King's way, I'd prefer to see him replaced with Fletcher rather than Dennis/Cucho/Sarr or whoever in the middle - he deserves a chance. He's only had one run out and scored when he had the opportunity. Also the three mentioned seem much more effective down the wings than through the middle.
     
  31. Eddie_Hitler

    Eddie_Hitler Academy Graduate

    About time Fletcher had a run out given the ‘first choice‘ strikers haven’t managed **** in the last 3 games. At least he’s got a goal against an EPL side this season, which is more than King can lay claim to.
     
  32. Jumbolina

    Jumbolina First Team

    The XG stats flatline when King goes off. His movement creates openings for other. He’s only played a couple of halves so far so I don’t think replacing him with an average championship striker is the answer.
     
  33. The undeniable truth

    The undeniable truth First Team Captain

    Must win game. Real 10 pointer.
    NC 2 (I Roberts, M Allen) WFC 0
     
  34. simpleMASH

    simpleMASH Reservist

    A September ’must-win’. If we can’t beat Norwich we may as well f*** off back to the Championship now.

    Lose it and Xisco has to go imo. Like the bloke but never been that convinced by his tactics or coaching. Surely someone out there could get a bit more out of these players? There’s no depth but the first XI can keep us up of they stay fit.
     
  35. domthehornet

    domthehornet Moderator Staff Member

    Going to this one, should be an open game with lots of chances for both teams. 0-0 written all over it.
     

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