Promising start and a win was all that mattered tonight then so was the first game under Ivic and never quite clicked there. Bachmann did everything that was expected of him. Monster kicks out of the hand that were coming down with snow on them, don't remember him doing that before. Centre backs were all very good defensively, Sierralta in particular. Cathcart obviously hates having the ball on his left foot and it was either spooned down the line or along the floor dangerously infield but he'll be decent enough at this level provided he doesn't have to play there too often. Kamara was good but felt wasted there. Did offer some attacking threat. Sema was mainly disappointing but did put a couple of decent balls in - fine as a squad option in this division but don't want him starting many games. Kayembe was quite good I thought, played a couple of nice balls between the lines and seemed to clear quite a lot when the ball broke dangerously near our box. Cleverley looked like he couldn't kick a ball properly but ran around a lot at his own rather slow pace. Worry that he will be this season's Kucka, completing most games despite being dead on his feet shortly after half time. Pedro is a star at this level, not just the goal but the link up play, buying fouls (even if half of them weren't given by a truly terrible referee - also should've sent Cleverley off so equally bad for both teams). Dennis' commitment and closing down was outstanding, taking too long to pull the trigger though. Sarr was, well Sarr. Didn't really take anyone on, couldn't really get in the game but then showed a moment of quality with the ball on a plate for Pedro. We are a couple of signings away from being very strong but I worry the powers that be will think we are already good enough and can rely on a strong (for this level) defence plus some star quality upfront. For god's sake, get in someone big, nasty and with energy to play in the centre of midfield otherwise we'll lose that battle every game.
On a serious note. Great performance. As every fan has been saying all summer, bring in a quality LCB, a quality HG CM, and we will be a team that everyone will fear. I’m honestly at the point where I think we refuse all offers for Sarr and Dennis unless they are ludicrous. Keep those three all season and unleash them on the championship. Was so nice seeing the boys play with some fight. Chasing every ball, going after every second balls, playing with passion and a desire to win. Sheff Utd are supposedly one of the favourites to win the league, didn’t see anything from them tonight that made me think they will be up there. Been overhyped all summer in my opinion. Everyone thought they were going to school us tonight, especially as they are the “championship masters” of the back three. We battered them. We kept their best player in Berge silent all game. The best CM in the league was kept quiet by Kayembe and Cleverley. If I’m Berge I’m handing in a transfer request tomorrow and demanding to leave. As has been said, Clevs really just needs to find his place on the bench. Love the guy, but we need him to come on and see the games out with 20mins to go, not start and play over 60mins. He can’t do it. If I’m Edwards I’m asking Gino to bring in what we need this week so we can be ready for West Brom and Burnley as much as possible.
Kaba was nice and aggressive tonight but he still has brain farts. In the first half he inexplicably went for a ball that was Sierralta's to deal with, leaving him in no man's land and his man through on goal. Luckily Kamara had the pace to get back.
A fine counter and perfect pass from Sarr. Important start. Love Sierralta - once again baffling that he wasn't on the ticket last season.
The RWB role (possibly even the whole right side of the defence) will be sorted imminently, but I do wonder, are we going to be able to bring in an LCB and a quality CM without selling IS or ED? If we do though, my Lord...
An ok, if at times disjointed, performance bar a 10 minute spell in the second half when we got the goal and looked like we might move up a gear or two which Sheffield United struggled with. Positives to take but areas to work on too. The front 3 are too good for this level but I didnt think we played to their strengths for large spells tonight, too many aerial balls played up to them and not enough to feet/in behind. I actually thought Sema didnt have a bad game likrwise Kayembe, Also agree that Kamara would be much better on the left not to mention how much more balanced the team would be with a proper right sided player. Defence solid Cleverly looked shattered towards the end of the 1st half , had a second wind in the second before fading again and probably lucky to avoid a second yellow.
According to Duxbury, yes. Gaspar and Laird down the right with Sarr will give LB’s nightmares. Kamara and Dennis down left will traumatize RB’s. Got to bring in Clarke ASAP. I hope we do it this week. Think if we can sign a marquee signing in the middle, then teams won’t know how to beat us. Too much pace outside, too much quality in the middle. Over to you Gino, it’s all on your shoulders.
Great start against fancied opposition who will probably be up there. Superb pass from Sarr, calm finish by JP. Also what was Fleck doing going up against Sierralta? That's like Timmy Mallet picking a fight with Jonah Lomu.
I didn’t even think we played very well tonight but the attitude and the commitment was a million times better. Atmosphere in the stadium was great as well, fans and the team both stepped up tonight In terms of the negatives, the worry is obviously the midfield, Cleverley was miles off the pace and we can’t afford a passenger with only two players in the middle. As for the opposition, if they’re amongst the best we can expect to face then it should be a fruitful season for us. Thought they offered next to nothing and when they did get a few breaks they were just as wasteful as I remembered Championship teams to be last time we were down here Most important thing tonight was a win to really set the re-start in motion, so well done to Rob and the boys for delivering
That was one of the most pleasing things about the game tonight. United are a physical side and we gave as good as we got. And your right, defensively we werent really troubled. As for them being overhyped, its only one game!
I mean it's early days, and Rob obviously sees more of the lads in training than we do, but I'd have had Clev pretty much at the bottom of the pecking order, TDB may have stalled at Reading last season but did well there before the club went to pot, Yaser Asprilla seems really exciting, and even Dan Gosling showed he's not quite done yet in his cameos towards the end of last season
Is there anything to suggest we're in pole position for Clarke? For all we know he might be down the Hawthorns right now signing terms!
6/10. Did nothing wrong but can’t go round a player, is slow on the turn and has zero passing range beyond 10 yards at best. Not really a quality ball winner either. He’s simply just an okay player that shouldn’t be too hard to find a better version of. He’s also vulnerable given he is non-HG and we are still overdrawn with them.
There is nothing that makes my adrenaline surge more than Watford attacking the Rookery in the 2nd half under the lights, then going 1 nil up. It's what I live for! The atmosphere from even before kick off was absolutely electric and carried on deep into the first half. Everyone in the Rookery was well up for it. The place exploded when we scored and was great to see the celebrations for the goal. It has been far too long since I have had that experience at a home game. I don't care if we are not perfect on the pitch, I just want more of this passion and connection with the team. Pedro and Dennis are unplayable at this level
You can only beat what's in front of you. We were the better team and deserved to win. We do look like a work in progress, so I believe we will get better in the weeks ahead.
Always interesting reading opposition fans forum after we've played them. Few comments about us looking average bar the front three, but what caught my attention was this comment - "Watford - I thought they started quite limply but their front three are a danger to anyone. They were better second half and dominated without really dominating. Dennis was a livewire all game but I thought Cleverley was their best player. Always organising, getting on the ball and they bossed the midfield. If they keep their front free, then they'll be up there." A very different perception from the consensus on here (including myself) but interesting observation none the less. Also seems, some of our stewards and policing/medical staff didnt cover themselves in glory with the slowness with which they reacted to the medical emergency
