Valerien Ismael - Manager

I think that's as much because Hoedt isn't that good defensively and Porteous has been having an absolute mare in the last few games - those were and perhaps will be the same whether in a back 3 or back 4, so we might as well go with whichever Ismael prefers. They are all fairly comfortable on the ball as far as Champ CBs go at any rate.

2 of our 3 clean sheets under Wilder were also with a back 3 (though all 3 were also at home against bottom half opposition).

 

Yippee!!

 

Such a wasted opportunity really that we didn't chose a manager who could get players to be comfortable on the ball rather than hit and hoof

 

Didn't work for Zebri at home against Everton! Old school football works and it will always work if the players are 100% committed. Not saying it's league winning but it will be competitive week in week out. When's the last time we can say that.
But yes it's all down to this Summer's recruitment as to whether it's successful.

 

Sema signed an extension meaning he has 2 years left, plus an option of a further year.

We have a one year option for Assombalonga, but maybe we haven't decided yet if we'll use it.

 

We've had a clear out over the last 3 seasons, the number of players left in contract who were around the first team when we were first relegated from the prem can be counted on one hand - Cleverly, Sema, Kabs, Bachmann. Louza is the only signing left from our last season in the prem. Problem is we havent replaced any of them. We've signed a load of players each season, nearly all of which have left when the seasons ended. I totally agree with you that the recent past has been wasted.

 

Wasnt aware of the Sema extension. I guess they will decide later on Britt

 

Pep doesn't seem to mind it going direct on occasions. Seem to remember their keeper getting a few assists over the years.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with going long. As I said Middlesbrough played it perfectly against us at their place. Movement from the forwards opens space in the channels and then it's a percentage pass into space. It's very simple and effective. Plus the pass doesn't have to be pinpoint every time if our forwards are looking for that space.

 

another poor appointment to go along with the absalutely dire recrutment over the past 4 seasons The problems ar in the board room and that is what need to change

 

That squad is grim. Most of that squad should be released by the club. They are not good enough for the Championship.
Bilic and Wilder felt the same way. As a team they pants.
To think Ismeal will come in and magically change our bunch of dog turds, then l will be utterly amazed.
My bet: He'll be gone before Christmas 2023

 

Millwall were the best team I saw at Vicarage Road this season. By 'best' I mean the most effective and the most exciting.

 

Another forum classic ticked off, you’re on a roll today!

 

Release Britt!

 

The lesson from the Boothroyd era is that, even playing that style you still need some quality sprinkled through the team. In the promotion season we were lucky to have Ashley Young coming through to add to the key signings of King and Spring. Two seasons later, with those players leaving, the football was horrible.

 

This season our players have often been so comfortable on the ball that they didn't want to release it or do anything productive with it.

 

Welease Woger

 

Not even the best coach in the world could get players to be comfortable on the ball if they don't have the technical ability to do so. Also you do not need a team of gifted players, this has been our problem, you need players to do particular jobs not a bunch of individuals who believe they can do it all themselves. I'm sure I'll upset a few when I say that we will be a better team without Pedro

 

So you haven't played, I thought so

 

His style was too black and white on the day

 

Just like to point out that the most iconic goal in Watfords history, the Deeney goal was started from a Hoofed clearance by Cassetti

 

And Woderwick

 

I might’ve missed it, but seen you reference Manga as Ubenga on a few occasions and curious as to why given he’s referenced himself as Ben Manga. Just curious on the reason why?

 

Have we signed the wrong guy ?

 

Wish we'd waited for Moyes to become available.

That kind of pragmatic football would have been a better bet than this guy.

 

Sadly ugly coaches tend to play ugly football. It’s an extension of their image.

 

I didn’t realise I’d stumbled into the Watford forum for ex-players.

 

How would this hypothesis apply to Quique Sanches Florez

 

I couldn’t agree more, but what VI does isn’t just occasionally going long when it makes sense, it’s kick and rush followed by head tennis, watch some of the videos of Barnsley under him, it’s absolutely hideous stuff. Can’t wait for “Watford Skyball”

 

Can’t say I know a lot about this bloke apart from the fact that neither the West Brom of Besiktas lot are very fond of his football philosophy.

He did however seem to do a very decent job at Barnsley, and had them in the play offs’s. Which, for a very weak team is a massive overachievement

Still.. All this doesn’t detract from the runnings of our own club. Until Pozzo backs the manager, and brings in the players he needs, and offloads all of the deadwood, it’s all meaningless.