If my calculations are correct, we are 7 points to the good at this stage of the season compared to the last. So if we can claw back a further 4-5 points compared to last season, then equal what we did, then we are in the play-offs. Doesn't sound too bad now does it :sign15: Plus we have scored 24 goals, compared to 11 after 16 league games last season....
I hope this is the start of our run. If we can go into the Xmas period in form, then we're really in a position. There's nobody really to fear in this division and, like most years, any team which puts a run together can get into the mix.
we can certainly get in the mix this season, like moog says there is no one to fear in this league. however we have to defend the mixer well and also put plenty of balls into the opposition mixer.
Considering we were better than Cardiff, Middlesbrough and Palace I see no reason why we can't be above them in the table. The only team we have really been more against was Derby and that had extenuating circumstances. I think we are a formidable team.
I wouldn't say we are formidable, but we are improving and are competitive in most games. Ipswich played us off the park for 45 minutes and look at how bad they are. But our early form has improved so much that I think you can forget the games at the beginning of the season. For me the turning point was Huddersfield and since then, although we have lost some unlucky matches, the form has been consistant. There is still large scope for improvement, but we do have some very good players that are now beginning to find their feet in this league. Another tough match on Saturday with Wolves and so it goes on.
If we can work out ways to break down and create chances against teams that "park the bus" we will be in a better position. We have what it takes to beat almost any team that takes the game to us.
I think there's always a danger in looking too far ahead. It's totally normal that supporters of all clubs want to know where their seasons are going..will they go up, or down or be mid table etc? We're no different here, especially considering all the changes we've undergone..we all want to try and make sense of it all and the question we keep asking ourselves is 'are we actually any good?'! I know there are posters on here who are convinced we will finish top 6 and others who have virtually written off the season already. Ironically, Zola seems the most relaxed person about it..you never him state targets or aims or ambitions! Me? I'm just trying to enjoy the ride and enjoy the now rather than worry about May..and trying too to see the bigger picture. I believe that bigger picture is that we are in a very decent position..the early season wobbles at Derby and Bolton and places were simply due to new manager and huge squad of new players..now we are looking more settled and we are starting to show the division our potential. We're not perfect yet..you'd not expect us to be..we still struggle to score goals (Sat apart) especially against teams set up to defend heavily against us and we're still unconvincing quite often at home. But I don't think there can be one poster on this forum who does not believe we are going to get better and better..and that our large squad can only be a blessing through the winter months when injury and suspensions strike. Personally I think it was hugely significant that our 5th and 6th goals at Leeds were scored by substitutes, one of whom didn't even make the 17 man squad the matches before. Imagine if in the January window Palace sell Zaha and Mboro sell Emnes..whereas we will be ADDING quality at that time!!! I'm more than happy with how things are going now..still relatively off the radar..mid table..seven points in a week..nobody really noticing us. It's November. It's how you finish that counts and I'm hopeful that come March-May, we'll be a well oiled machine ready for our big promotion push. That said, this is Zola's Watford...consistent so far by their inconsistency! So I'm gonna enjoy Leeds up til 3pm on Saturday and then hope and pray we can keep the run going against Wolves, especially if Abdi will be missing as he is so vital.
We've played most of the top teams, we've got a run of 9 games against teams below/equal to us. I think with the way we're playing and improving we can go into all of them and get a result. We probably want to get a bit more luck with injuries though....
Improving the home form is key now. Team will come to stop us playing and frustrate us. It's up to Zola to find a way to beat teams like that. Hopefully Wolves will have a go, making it an open game with plenty of chances.
Malteasers post is spot on, as is the comment about improving the home form. It was always fgoing to take some time for GFZ to get to know the players & then work on his best XI as well as options, he appears to have that now as well as ideas about who can cover which positions so now he works on the teamwork piece which is why we are starting to see the team gel. I would expect us to go through a period of loss of form between now & the end of season
Totally agree with this. We've shown on a few occasions this season that we've struggled to break teams down when they come to stop us playing. Generally, unless FF or Abdi has produced a moment of magic, we've not created too much in those types of games. We've struggled with a lack of pace in helping to break them down. It's vital that Vydra plays in those kinds of games, his finishing ability is vital in a game where we might not produce too many clear chances. Being favorites never seems to suit us. We've always seemed to be better away from home, where the opposition is under pressure to attack us and leaves gaps for the likes of FF to exploit. Saying that, it's always been a theme with Watford that we seem to be better away from home. Not sure if that's the reality or just a perception though.
I think our issue is that we've played most of the top teams away from home. At home they will give it a go and we should be able to get some more points.
