Watford Fc 2-1 Norwich City - 15/10/2022

Discussion in 'Match Day' started by SkylaRose, Oct 11, 2022.

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Poll closed Oct 16, 2022.
  1. Watford to Somehow win

    15 vote(s)
    18.8%
  2. Draw

    2 vote(s)
    2.5%
  3. Norwich to Wing Slap Us

    54 vote(s)
    67.5%
  4. Heidar Helguson

    9 vote(s)
    11.3%
  1. RS2

    RS2 Squad Player

    Don't worry Gaspar should be back soon.
     
  2. Malco_Falco

    Malco_Falco Academy Graduate

    Good performance overall. Rode our luck at times. Knew Sideshow Bob would score for them. Superb match winning last tackle from Gosling in the 2nd half. And good to see the Watford leading the way in the fight against ageism by bringing on the OAP in injury time
     
    lutonh8a and Hogg-DEENEY!!! like this.
  3. Chumlax

    Chumlax Squad Player

    Recorded the game to watch on Sky after my merciful dinner, and have just finished it. Huge result for us, but also one that was desperately needed. The first half was the best performance we've put in since some time in 2021, and we were just about professional enough to see it through in the second. Sarr had his best game since Aston Villa on the opening day of last season, if not Liverpool, although again, like the rest of the team, predominantly in the first half. Still, he was alive for the first time in a way we've been crying out for for months, and showed us again how much he is capable of.

    Louza was again so important, and not just in goalscoring terms - hope to christ that somehow doesn't turn out to be merely a swansong before a ludicrous ban.

    For the first time, we could see what Bilic is trying to do with the team, and the effects of that week on the training pitch were in evidence. At times the defending was still frightening, and as Malco just said, we seriously rode our luck at times; imagine what we could be with proper defensive recruitment there. That being said, some credit must go to Cathcart - he seems to have a knack himself of coming alive against Norwich, and he put in several vital interceptions.

    There was still at times an odd sluggishness from our attack at times, with free balls not competed for and pinpoint crosses or rebounds almost voluntarily passed up. Hopefully, that will be as much about offensive cohesion developing as times goes on as anything else. Davis was good at times, but clearly gassed as the second half went on.

    Kayembe seemed dreadful to me in his late cameo. Having the burden of watching that for 90 straight minutes finally lifted was blissful. Bachmann marked his card again by flapping insanely at that corner in the second half whilst getting nowhere near it, and in the first punched the McClean(IIRC) shot straight back out into the path of Pukki inexplicably, but thankfully we managed to survive.

    Again, this can be a blueprint for how we go into the rest of this season, and if we can now see some growing consistency of levels from Sarr, the attack, and the team in general, then we might just have given ourselves a chance. There's a long way to go, for us as a team and what's required, as well as in the season more generally.

    Once again, of course, this means very little if we immediately go and get sluggishly banged by Millwall. If Bilic can genuinely turn around one thing, it could be our utter inability to capitalise on anything, ever, and then we might be able to start having a peek round the corner.

    I also really enjoyed Mick McCarthy on co-co-comms. Could be a controversial opinion. I don't know.
     
  4. Hogg-DEENEY!!!

    Hogg-DEENEY!!! Squad Player

    I do think that while he is extremely fast, and is a threat when he is able to utilise his pace, he is limited enough that he can't always roast people when he's played on the right, maybe on the left cutting in onto his stronger foot will be best for him, it seems to work for him at international level
     
    lutonh8a likes this.
  5. Mazzereth

    Mazzereth Academy Graduate

    Are we good again? I can't keep up.
     
  6. Hogg-DEENEY!!!

    Hogg-DEENEY!!! Squad Player

    We have the right of an appeal against the ban, so I imagine he'll be available for Millwall, hopefully for the big one next weekend too depending on when the hearing is!
     
  7. Chumlax

    Chumlax Squad Player

    Timing wise fairplay, but if he receives a ban at any point we're back to being a totally different, and lesser, proposition. He'll definitely be a great character to have against the scum, though, on top of his actual skill.
     
  8. Moosegasm

    Moosegasm Reservist

    Great result from this schizophrenic team. Hard to tell whether this is a flash in the pan or something to build on.
     
    Happy bunny likes this.
  9. KangarooSong

    KangarooSong Academy Graduate

    A very unexpected result and performance, was fully prepared for a score line similar to January. We were helped by Norwich not pressing us whatsoever first half and allowing the midfield time to retrieve the ball, turn and run at them before making another forward pass (how refreshing was it to see so many of them). Should’ve been 3 up at half time but Watford gonna Watford. Our shape and press in the second half meant they had to go long 90% of the time, which mostly played into our hands, bar the run through which Gosling made a cracking challenge/interception.

    Defence was solid I thought goal withstanding. Bachman, dodgy punch out for a straight at him shot first half and should’ve come for more but we know what we’re gonna get from him. Troost had his best game for us for as long as I can remember, Cathcart was very good, Kamara best game for a while and Gosling put in the best performance by a right back from us all season. He gets pelters but he always does 100% and deserves praise for tonight.

    Midfield was top draw(er?) first half, as they were given time to do as they please and carved them apart. They won’t always get that so will have to act quicker in future but a great showing nonetheless. Louza showed his class as did Asprilla, best performance for us easily. Choudhury still seems a bit rash for me but did a decent job.

    I don’t know why it’s taken 3 years for us to try Sarr on the left but he tormented Norwich, so much so that they switched the side of their full backs at half time in attempt to stop him. Ken was Ken, worked his arse off and had a good game, and used his right foot which was a pleasant surprise. Davis, goal aside, I thought had his worst game for us (that I’ve seen), but still got a goal and was a pain in the Norwich defence but should’ve gone off at 70mins, could tell he had nothing left in the tank.

    Overall thoroughly deserved the win, we took a while to adapt to the subs made by Norwich at half time but were soon enough comfortable. Tonight was much, much more like it, now please just carry it onto the next games. We tore apart one of the better teams in the division for a half tonight, let’s build on it. Although in all honesty I’d take a loss against Millwall if it meant we beat them lot on Sunday.
     
  10. Westsydneyhornet

    Westsydneyhornet Academy Graduate

    Great win by the boys, hopefully we can find some consistency…
    Sarr was dangerous everytime he touched the ball
    Louza is a cut above anybody else we have in the middle, even the penalty he “missed” tbf was a good strike and keeper gets the credit for that.
    Pedro is as brilliant as he is frustrating, has all the skills but at times seems to be a little selfish with the ball.
    Special mention for Gosling, I would play him at RB until January ( assuming we sign someone in the window ) after that performance.
    Good to get back in the winners circle
    COYH
     
    Happy bunny likes this.
  11. tonycotonstache

    tonycotonstache Squad Player

    Asprilla's touch and movement in the build up to the first is an actual thing of beauty. What a prospect.
     
  12. Halfwayline

    Halfwayline Reservist

    When Sarr et al can be bothered we can score against any team in this division. Can count on one hand how many times they’ve been interested though

    as long as Louza plays then the midfield is fine. But he won’t play every game

    Underfunding of defence is criminal

    so the same problems remain, this squad can play when they can be bothered and it’s like a scene from Benny hill every time the opposition enter our final third
     
  13. wingco

    wingco Reservist

    A few thoughts.

    How a 6ft 2, 16 stone+ striker is unable to jump or head a ball is beyond my comprehension. If I was Davis, I'd be hiring a team of sports scientists to teach him. It's makes him half the striker he could be.

    A damning indictment of our transfer policy that Cathcart is now our most vital defender. Good to have him back though, and I thought WTE was much calmer with him around.

    Choudhury is a headless chicken. Constantly out of position because he thinks he can win everything (he can't).

    As Bilic says, Louza makes passing out of the back a much easier task. He's a class apart, and desperately need him fit, or not suspended.

    Glad to see Sarr getting involved. Some say he can't be bothered, I just think he bizarrely lacks belief.

    On the other side, Sema backs himself all the time, despite being half the player Sarr is talent wise. A combo of the two would be an unstoppable force.
     
    Hornets81, EB Hornet and SkylaRose like this.
  14. Teide1

    Teide1 Squad Player

    I know it’s stating the Blee-ing obvious but what’s needed is a winning run another two wins this week would be a great springboard and turnaround it’s not too mu to ask for is it?
     
  15. The undeniable truth

    The undeniable truth First Team Captain

    I'm really not sure. Might be wrong but from what I recall, when he actually hit the ball, he was looking straight at Davis, not at the goal.
     
  16. Hornpete

    Hornpete Squad Player

    He just can't be bothered to believe in himself?

    I think he will score the goals that knock England out of the world cup in the 2nd round.
     
    wfc4ever likes this.
  17. lowerrous

    lowerrous First Team

    He was enjoyable, except for when he tried to claim there wasn't much in Gabriel Sara's stamp on Asprilla's shin, which to my eyes looked intentional, and regardless clearly injured Asprilla enough that it left a mark and he had to hobble off.
     
    wfc4ever and Chumlax like this.
  18. RS2

    RS2 Squad Player

    Yes, the team is great and Pozzo is the best owner in the world.
     
    Mazzereth likes this.
  19. I Blame Pozzo

    I Blame Pozzo First Team

    Sara seems to be the hardest word?
     
  20. wfcmoog

    wfcmoog Tinpot

    You're being extremely kind on a multi millionaire who has shown, once again, that when he can be bothered, he is unplayable at this level at least, but who has, match after match, gone missing and offered nothing.

    Ignore his price tag, because that's not his fault, he hasn't even been giving us 40% for most of the time he's been with us.
     
  21. SkylaRose

    SkylaRose Administrator Staff Member

    Forzainglese likes this.
  22. PowerJugs

    PowerJugs Doyley Fanatic

    Right Wing Bark?
     
    Forzainglese and SkylaRose like this.
  23. wfc4ever

    wfc4ever Administrator Staff Member

    They seem to be complaining about the ref but who doesn’t take part in a bit of time wasting when leading ?!

    https://forum.pinkun.com/index.php?/topic/150000-motm-the-ref/

    As you say Asprilla actually went off limping and Perdro took a whack (or acted like he did ?) in the face so game will have to stop .

    Yes we know time wasting generally is an issue but then if refs don’t punish it or add time in it will keep happening.

    None of the Norwich players or Dean Smith for once appealed or complained in either penalty incident so obviously weren’t that contentious.
     
    Last edited: Oct 16, 2022
  24. RS2

    RS2 Squad Player

    Good, it's about time this lot improved their game management. Asprilla is pretty good at it, I don't know if he can speak English yet but he's always whinging to the ref as well which is good to see.
     
  25. SkylaRose

    SkylaRose Administrator Staff Member

    Oh it is with this side, as you well know. We went from a convincing win at Stoke (who were trash tbf) to then losing 1-2 at home to a Swansea side who got battered by Burnley yesterday, followed by a shambolic performance at Blackpool. Consistentcy is not in this team's vocab - but if Bilic can change that then we might be able to mount a challenge.
     
  26. Where's Wally

    Where's Wally Academy Graduate

    The push on Sargent looked like it could have easily been given to me at the time.
     
    BusheyOrn and wfc4ever like this.
  27. Hogg-DEENEY!!!

    Hogg-DEENEY!!! Squad Player

    We've been the feature event on Sky 6 times this season, and we've collected 16 points, compared with 8 times we've not been televised or hidden away on the red button, where we've picked up 4 points!
     
    wfc4ever likes this.
  28. Burnsy

    Burnsy First Team

    Not much to add that hasn’t been said on the previous pages.

    Nice, yet well overdue, home performance with a defence out there that’s probably just about passable in terms of promotion. But it still makes me wince with regularity. Personally, I’d take Gosling at RB now all season if we don’t bring another one in. He’s not the best but he’s the best we have IMO and will rarely let us down.

    I laid out before the Swansea game that we should be playing Choudhury/Louza/Asprilla as a 3 and banish Kayembe. It’s obvious that’s how we should set up.

    Don’t really want to see Kayembe or Kabasele in a Watford shirt again. They are just nowhere near good enough.

    Anyway, again….it was a nice win. But that’s never really been our problem. The problem we have is that we rarely back it up with consistent efforts afterwards. All eyes on Millwall and that other lot.

    Keep the post purely based on on-pitch matters. My feelings around the owner and those around him hasn’t changed one-jot because we won. And it won’t change if we win every game until the end of the season.
     
  29. tonycotonstache

    tonycotonstache Squad Player

    Had man flu so watched at home under a duvet.

    Ironically got 11/11 in the line up so got a free beer on Fanhub. Kind of wish it was a lemsip!
     
    Ybotcoombes likes this.
  30. Carpster

    Carpster Squad Player

    Totally agree. If they don't follow it up against Millwall and the Scum it's worthless. We all have a suspicion that we probaby won't.
     
  31. wfc4ever

    wfc4ever Administrator Staff Member

    Watford live on Sky this season: six games, 16 points.

    Watford not live on Sky this season: eight games, no wins, four points.

    So we will be ok on Wednesday..

    But maybe not next Sunday !

    :(
     
    Carpster likes this.
  32. Carpster

    Carpster Squad Player

    Wow I didn't know that stat!
    Sunday is the be all and end all for me. Perform like they did last night and we have a decent chance.
     
    batterahatter, Burnsy and wfc4ever like this.
  33. Burnsy

    Burnsy First Team

    I will add, as much as I don’t think he’s particularly let us down at any point, I’ve expected far better from Choudhury so far.

    I know he came with lukewarm enthusiasm from Leicester fans, but I thought he’d better given the step down. He doesn’t do much wrong but he hasn’t really stood out either - although I’ll caveat that with the fact that I think he’s been overloaded in games covering for Asprilla at times, and Kayembe mainly. But there won’t be much hiding place now we seem to have found the best mix available. I really think now is the time he needs to up his game.

    I guess he also gets bonus points purely by being fit every week and never coming off so he looks a better addition than someone like Hause just on that basis!
     
    Dorset-Orn, Forzainglese and Chumlax like this.
  34. wingco

    wingco Reservist

    Not sure why it stood out to me, but there was a pass that Cathcart made to Louza in the 2nd half where he took the risk and threaded it through two players.

    Nothing fancy about it, just a bit of risk taking that set Louza away without any pressure. I'm sure that's what Bilic is trying to instill in them, it's definitely what we've missed so far this season
     
  35. Knight GT

    Knight GT Predictor extraordinaire 2013/14

    We’re we watching different games in the second half? Norwich poured forward? Norwich had lots of chances?Bachmann making good saves? Except from them hitting the bar I thought they did very little
     
    PowerJugs, Jon G, jackwfc and 5 others like this.

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