Pleasing to read in The Times interview that Troys interpretation of Southgate's views on him were similar to mine - "To be honest,” I just thought that comment of, ‘He’s great for Watford, but not for what we want,’ I thought it was downplaying Watford a little bit really, like we’re just some small team. I just think what it says as a message is that unless you’re a certain mould of player or play in a certain way, don’t worry about playing for England. That’s what I took from it. Striker-wise I don’t know what he wants. It can’t be mobility and getting around and scoring goals because at the minute that’s what I’m doing." I'm glad that Troy - as he always does - answered the question honestly, even if it means that the 1-in-a-billion chance of playing for England has now almost certainly disappeared. Hopefully he uses it as further motivation alongside the other methods/changes he's currently adopted that's seen him raise his game so far this season.
Also shows that Southgate has no plan B as he only wants players that suit his style. Needs a battering ram.
Southgate is an idiot. This is as poor an England side as I can remember and I don't buy into the hyperbole.
TD9 looking boss in his double breasted suit on Monday Night Football. Have only counted one “ to be fair“ from him so far as well. Which is good for him, to be fair.
Good post. You just need to look at how Welbeck continually gets picked to see the system is flawed -- he's not even a young player anymore.
Anyone see TD on Sky's MNF last night? I was a little surprised he thinks that "The Snake" is the best manager he has played for, I did not think they got on.
I saw the bit where him and carragher were acting out how to defend corners, then had to go and find my toe uncurlers so didn't see anymore.
Minutes played adds another element to it. Deeney - 8526 minutes Wilson - 4581 minutes Murray - 3445 minutes Grey - 4142 minutes Austin - 2356 minutes Lewin - 2424 minutes
We are a very average tier 2 side with very average players. Southgate constantly refers to youth so that when we lose he can claim that it's a young side still developing. The fact that the youngsters being introduced will turn out to be no better than the 29/30 year olds like Troy doesn't matter. He's allowed to play poorly and lose with youngsters. I don't blame him for the exit at the WC as we just aren't as good as the Belgiums and Croatia's of this worold and show no signs that we ever will be. I assume he's stalling on his new contract as he wants to get out and get a decent prem job before all the gloss from his "getting to the WC SF for the first time since 1990" has worn off.
I was wondering why Clevs had disappeared & now assume he's on strike pending a return to Toffeeville.
I've taken the data in @hornetboy1's posted and added a "correction factor" based upon mintute's played in @Cassetti's Beard's post: It looks a bit different. Deeney's neither top scorer nor assists leader and his shots on target are little better than Gray's - although the chances created is still by far the largest.
I've seen what you've tried to do, but it would probably have been better creating a table to show averages. Giving Austin 51 goals, and Murray 45, for example, is giving them something they have not actually achieved. Deeney scores a goal every 284 minutes, Murray a goal every 191 minutes and Austin a goal every 168 minutes and so on.
This has me wondering. Does the word Silva change to snake automatically now? If it doesn't, mods should make it do so. Test: Silva. Marco Silva. @Meister you need to sort this out.
Yeah, yeah, yeah I see where you're coming from...but none of them scored a goal every xx mintues... Something that does jump out from my table is Deeney's massive figure for chances created ...again it's a not very rigourous analysis at all - I only did it to create some parity and a laugh.
Legalese. Building Snakes reputation reflecting exactly the Club's claim (in its sacking statement) that Silva was doing great things with Watford until Everton deliberately distracted him. Troy saying this, including the clear recognition that Sliva no longer wished to be at the club after the approach, gives credence to the likely argument we will make should we persue compensation. I can't say it isn't Troy's honest opinion of course, but whatever it is, he could not have made a comment that acted more in our favour with regards to the Silva situation. It is a beautiful thing.
On the BBC tonight with Gabby Logan. Lets hope he doesn't read the generally negative comments at the bottom of the page! https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45583138
I thought he came over really well. Polite, considered, intelligent, a confidence but without an ego. Seems a decent guy.
Nice to read that Oliver Phillips has noticed the false assertion currently being regurgitated in the press and repeated by Southgate that Watford have a direct style/are a very direct side. Makes a reference to Troy's comments on the subject and the England issue: https://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/s...-united-proves-hornets-are-not-a-direct-side/
Watching a re-run of Joshua-Povetkin, just noticed that Troy had his customary ringside seat. The eagle eyed amongst you have probably spotted Cleverley on the left of the picture: