After sowing the seeds of our future last weekend with a deserved win over a lacklusture Blackpool, we now welcome Rotherham to Hertfordshire. Fresh after battering "we do not know how to draw" Blackburn Rovers (a result which did us a favor), they will hold little nerves in getting at least point at the Vic. Bayo, for all his faults, did score a rather classy volley in the reverse fixture at Millmoor to rescue a point in one of Edwards' final games as our coach. Will it again be "give youth a chance"? I expect so. Kone' impressed and having watched the game back, I admit I was harsh on Martins who actually played really well considering, and looks like he could be a handful in this division. We also managed to get through a game with no injuries, which was almost as good as the win. Man of the moment Tobi Adeyemo will be pushing for a start I am sure. Bayo is not a 90min man, he's an impact sub at best. I would also like to see Grieves given a start, if not right off then brought on second half for some tired legs. Morris continues to impress some of the fanbase and divide others, but he does have effort and really does try to move the ball forward from his defensive postition. Old boy Gaspar will no doubt continue in the middle, a role that he has become pretty liked for. A different side of his game is showing and he looks to be enjoying his football again. Sarr deffo turned up for once last weekend, and let's hope he does again for what has to said, is a must win. We have a turgid run of fixtures after this game, so having banked the maximum nine points from our previous three would be most welcome. As Burnley and Sheff Utd continue to look to playing at Anfield and The Emirates stadium, we can still consilidate our place in the top six at least. Rotherham have some good spirit in the side and I do not think they will be a woeful as Blackpool were, especially off the back of the Blackburn win. But it's still a game we should be winning, and I think we will. Watford 2 Rotherham 0
Normal service resumed. Watford 0-2 Rotherham. Grimaces all around. Bayo chased out of the ground by Harry the Hornet for missing another couple of sitters. Red card for Kone as his frustration at the uselessness of his team mates boils over. Martins plays a blinder sets up a hat trick of chances. Two wasted by Bayo one by Adeyemo who is deemed a certainity for a career in L2. Martins then pulls up with a hamstring but is ordered to play on before collapsing in agony and is never seen again at the Vic. Post match Bilic sets a record for effs and blindings in an interview, slates Pozzo, insults Duxbury and is sacked at 9pm. Helena Costa made manager.
I'd like to see - Bachmann; Ferreira, Cathcart, Sierralta, Morris; Kone, Choudhury, Gaspar; Sarr, Martins, Bayo. Asprilla & Davis on the bench to come on at some point to impact the game plus some defenders and kids.
We still are weakened by injuries and whilst we should get a win we should be guarded with our optimism. It's still going to be another month before we come properly competitive again. In the meantime Kone could be a gamechanger for us. I suspect an unchanged team from that started last weekend with Kamara on the bench. Martins also as we have to still play tight for an hour before breaking out.
Thanks for the preview Skyla. Reckon we'll squeeze a 1-0, Cathcart with a looping header in the 27th min.
2 seasons ago we were pretty much invincible at home especially once the players got together after the Coventry away debacle, this season we really haven't known what to expect what with getting turned over by the likes of QPR, Swansea and Coventry, the players picked the last two games have really stepped up, win on Saturday and people will start to think " this is looking good " anything other than a win and its a question of lets hope Slaven keeps his job!
Was one of the lucky ones to go to the Covid restricted game 2 years ago when we beat them 2-0. So strange sitting apart from everyone. Two early goals then Ivic shut up shop. Look at the line up! After a promotion, year back in the Prem now chasing promotion again. 3 of that back 4 are still here!
Will be a tough game, they had a morale boosting win over Blackburn and looked good for it. I'm going for 2-1 Watford
Bachmann Ferreira Sierralta Cathcart Morris Kone Choudhury Asprilla Martins Davis (if not Adeyemo) Sarr Okoye, Ngakia, WTE, Kamara, Gaspar, Grieves, Bayo. Watford 4 - 0 Rotherham 'Orns!
I don't think Ngakia will get another start after last week. Asprilla from the bench for me so new midfield anchor Gaspar starts there until second half. Bayo up top and given one last chance to prove (and apologise) himself.
That's me whenever I get asked by the missus to pick up loo roll on the way home from work and forget.
Perica is very much like Manaj. Played about two games then I completely forgot they were at the club for a few months.
Worse than Luton or it's northern twin Burnley? In my experience it takes a lot to beat either of those two. My cousin's wife is from Sheffield and her dad lives in Rotherham. Said the gulf between the two is huge, like going through a time travel portal as you cross the M1.
Obvioulsy not worse than Luton, cant comment on Burnley as Ive not been there since 90s. Has to be said the people were nice in Rotherham though. Went to Soul music bar before game. Some hangover from the Northern Soul movement. Was run by a Londoner though.
Had this 4 times now - hopefully he likes us ! https://mobile.twitter.com/Observer_Owl/status/1616006067816730630
I assume Davies is not back for this? No idea who we play up front for this. The much maligned Bayo has struggled as a starter but is proven effective as a sub. But, it's too much to ask a 17 year old to start, we don't want to give him Emma Raducanu syndrome. The only solution is to clone Sarr and play one as centre forward and one wide. NASA are still not responding to my requests to help develop a Sarr cloning machine however. Could be a long afternoon.
Depends on the system. Martins could be an idea, anyone but Bayo atm, the way he trudged off last weekend made him look like a child who had their sweets taken away, Sarr is not a striker, especially not a lone one, but like you said, starting Tobi A would be massive pressure on such young shoulders. I do expect him to get game time though, second half probably, but before that it's going to have to be Sarr. Not sure how touch and go Davis is, so it could be a mistake starting him so soon. Shows how badly we need a new striker.
