(From Andrew French) TC: Scoreline flattered us. Performance not acceptable. I’ve told players not to let only losing 2-1 make them think it was ok. Need to try and put my finger on why we are so different away. Made a change at half-time but I could have made a sub during first half #watfordfc
That's why I said 'along with all the others' We were still at absolute sixes and sevens for the majority of the match, barely able to complete a pass and constantly losing possession when we were occasionally gifted it. Decision making was as poor and unintelligent as it's been again, and they may not have been carving us open regularly (though they were for the middle period of the first half, which was our nadir) but they were in total, total control. Parker does not create teams that blow other teams away, but they were just as dominant as anyone we've faced. Even in the second half after our random boost, they were still holding us at total arm's length like a child trying to throw a punch at an older sibling. They dropped back and set up defensively and we basically said 'oh yes, sorry sir, that's right, I'll just pass it backwards and sideways amongst our defence until the whistle'.
Well fairplay, it's good that he can recognise this, but as @Burnsy has been pointing out for quite some time, it means absolutely nothing if he comes out with these on-the-money assessments and then the players do absolutely nothing in recognition of it whatsoever next time out. If anything, it's a bad sign, because it's another piece of evidence in the 'doesn't know how to do anything about it' dossier. It's his responsibility to make that stick and learn from it, and if it's not happening, that's a problem.
So why didn’t you? And I lack any real interest at this stage for him continuing to talk about ‘trying to put his finger on why’ - he’s said this a number of times and I can’t see the results of any investigation he’s done. It’s just empty air now. Actions, not words.
I feel quite relieved TC didn’t mention me in the bit about “thinking it’s ok only losing 1-2” after my earlier post
It's not the same as "all the others" though. Part of the reason why we constantly lost possession today was because we were up against a good side who are well drilled and sharp in the tackle. There have been games like Preston and Swansea where we've been guilty of regularly giving the ball away without there even being a decent opponent putting us under lots of pressure. We also seemed to be trying to make things happen today, which was more than could be said of those other games.
I think these things less than you, clearly, but that's fine, it's all a matter of mild interpretation.
I can only add that Ralph Coates used to be a member of Broxbourne Tennis Club. I have a picture of him with the supporters we took to the AE in '88 for the Puma Cup final. Nice man.
If the players clearly won't try to compete in away games TC needs to field a different more rugged team and go for away draws, historically a lot of championship teams have done this. I don't encourage it but I'm a bit shocked that only now TC is admitting that we've got a problem away from home? I guess his "first year" approach of giving players lots of love and backing makes it harder for him to turn on them when they don't perform, made much worse because it's runs a cross the squad so where does he start..?
Felt like a very predictable result this one I agree. What odds were Burnley pre match - I didn’t even check.
Bachman is hopeless. Can’t be replaced soon enough - a low grade goalkeeper. I’m sick of our fans declaring that he is perfectly good for this level. Dreadful in the air. Dreadful with his feet. Awful.
Yes it was up there with some of our other clueless dismal displays away from home but I think today highlighted the difference between Watford and the proper promotion contenders . Burnley were in control of that the whole match and dominated the midfield , but we had a young and who has hardly loathed this season and the inconsistent Sissoko. Even if we can’t compete in midfield having someone who can hold the ball up, do the physical stuff and make the ball stick would help , but the game passed Bayo by. So if we can recruit a proper championship defensive midfielder and a half decent no 9 who can do those things we would be much better placed . Even without those we are still very much in the hunt for a playoff place so it’s not so bad.
Wealdstone were awesome this afternoon. 2-0 up at half time (which flattered them a bit, I thought) they added a third from the penalty spot to finish comfortable winners. How did watford get on?
I've made that my screen saver (his second kick). Just to remind me when things are going bad in life, you could be Bachmann trying to kick a football.
Sad to read . Hopefully the culprit is caught . https://x.com/BurnleyOfficial/status/1870544763872763959
I wouldn’t usually go head to head with you as we agree on so much - but…I am one of the fans who think he is good enough (I often use the word ‘serviceable’ and would never say ‘perfectly’!) for this level. But how many GK’s in the football league are better? The reality (IMO - maybe flawed) is that most keepers walking the earth have their flaws. I ask myself how many times at Championship level, that Bachmann has directly cost us goals? I don’t think it’s that much. He’s a fantastic shot-stopper at this level and that’s a fact. Now we can move that on and start discussing how he costs us in our ‘attacking/in-possession’ play. And I do agree, he’s poor here - bad kicking ability at times and often goes to sleep when we are trying to build from the back. Are there other factors? But I think the two I’ve mentioned above cover the main facets required? And I’d say it renders him serviceable? If he was clearly worse than every other GK at a similar level, then sure. But I’m yet to see anyone ever prove that. I just think as a squad, for where we are in the current standings and stature of things, he definitely is decent enough.
Took my eldest grandchild today to his first Watford match. He said it was the best match he’s been to… but then the only other one he’s been to was with his (longtime) Man City supporting dad, when he saw them lose 4-0 to Spuds.
This is my opinion. I think it’s clear his kicking, decision making and command of his box are poor. Shot stopping, maybe he’s above average - I’m not convinced but accept it may be a valid argument. Nonetheless this season alone he has been directly or partially responsible for goals against WBA, Plymouth, Sheff Weds, Leeds (twice), Luton, Sheff Utd, (I accept some of these may be harsh judgements) And he has also had a spell out of the team for several games. I also think he comes across as arrogant. I think he’s dreadful and the 5 year/captaincy decision was a disastrous decision. I can’t wait until he is replaced or at least has meaningful competition.
Fair enough. Not my intention to back-and-forth and I doubt any conversation on a forum will ever swing someone’s opinion anyway.
