Watford Fc 2-2 West Bromwich Albion - 20/09/2023

All West Brom fans seem to be insistent that VI's long ball tactics will eventually stop working for us as it did for them.

Shame for them that is more or less the opposite of how he has coached us.

 

A favourable match-up stats wise. In attack we've created a large amount of shots (something they've struggled with) and they generally don't try to disrupt the opponents spells of possession too much (passes per defensive action + opposition passing %) whereas we've dominated possession in most of our games so far. They've struggled to defend against teams that press high, with a load of shots conceded coming from teams winning the ball from a high press - we've created the 4th highest shots from high presses in the league which bodes well. Really not convinced of their goalkeeper Palmer. He especially looks weak diving to his left - they've conceded 11 goals this season and 7 of them were scored to his left and as you can see from the video below, probably should've done better for a few of those.



In defence, they've scored a decent amount of goals but ultimately struggle to create much of note whereas we've been pretty solid across the board. They've averaged around 50% possession but we've been at disrupting the opposition.

Comfortable 2-0 victory with Martins cutting inside and playing a curler to the keepers left and a goal from Asprilla.

 

We usually follow up a rousing win with a dogsh*t defeat.

0-1 to WBA.

 

Easy win here. 3-0 - Rajovic to bag one again, Hoedt with a monstrous header and Asprilla finally learning how to finish.

 

Watford to win away?

Highly unlikely as usual.

1-1 if we're lucky.

 

I'm right up on the latest info as usual!

 

Unlike the Bluenose Brum Scum, as fans go I've got a lot of time for this lot. Always self-deprecating, but equally always massively behind their team at their away games.

I had the pleasure of getting to know a few of them when I worked in Walsall many years ago. Football-obsessive fcukers the lot of them, but truly great company, in work and out of work. They helped make working away from home bearable.

Watford 3 1 Boing Boing

Hopefully it'll be a cracking atmosphere if they bring a few for this midweek fixture...

 

Watford 4-0 West Brom

Rajovic x 2
Martins x 1
Porteous x 1

Tough day out for the soiled underwear gang

 

0-0 written all over it.
Weather looks fun

 

Before last Saturdays game we would probably have taken 4 points from our 2 home games as that would have been an improvement on our previous form, but having won in late fashion the other day should be like scoring just before half time to us!

To win 2 on the trot should not be impossible and would be nice to get that monkey off our back.

 

Out of all the clubs from that area I find West Brom and their fans the most easy going ..
Can't see us losing this so a 1-1 draw or a narrow 2-1 win

 

We've played quite well so far at home this season. We've been the stronger of all our opponents to date, which is disappointing to see we've won only 2 of the 4 we've played. Dropping points to Plymouth and Blackburn was very poor indeed.

But this season is a reset and I think it's going as well as could be expected. I think we're actually playing to our maximum with the players we have to pick from, so that's full credit to Ismael, as he's the one consistent shining light to emerge this season.

I still think, once injuries kick in, we'll struggle, but for now, whilst we have virtually everyone available to us, that should be enough to continue with good performances at home.

I expect us to be the better team, but we don't create enough chances. It's going to be another flick of a coin result. Will we struggle up front and get caught out as happened against Blackburn or will we score the first goal? For us, it's very important to take the lead. If we do that I think we'd do well as we seem to be a confidence team.

I'm hoping we get that important goal early and go on to control the match. Could be another 2-0 win for us and I'm going for that as my prediction.

 

You've changed your tune!

 

Sema’s out for a couple of weeks as his injury’s a bit worse than first thought.

Bayo fit to play.

 

I'd imagine it will be the same starting XI with perhaps Asprilla coming in for Ince, although Yaser looks a lot more dangerous coming off the bench and changing the dynamic.

I cant remember a player to get the fans off their seats every time he gets the ball,since McNamee.

 

If you try to keep track of HB's views on a subject it'll give you whiplash. Obsessively passionate on one side of the argument one week, then pretty much opposite the next.

Not a diss btw, it's entertaining reading.

 

Come on, there's been plenty in the meantime. Deulofeu? Vydra? Even Sarr did for a fair bit of time.

Whatever happened to McNamee?

 

As I remember, McNamee went to Norwich briefly and Wycombe briefly, then disappeared. A shame - I really liked him.

 

It's the only way to please the entire forum. Predict we'll lose one week, then win the following week, and that usually covers it.

 

Watford 3-0 WBA - (Lewis, Healey, Kalu)

 

I think he struggled with his asthma didn’t he ?

 

McNamee exciting? Well I suppose he used to dribble a bit. But so did my grandad. Did Mcnamee ever score a goal for us. Probably a few assists, but I think you could name a dozen players who got the crowd more excited. Anyway that is just my opinion. I think we can all agree Asprilla is both technically way above him, and probably half a foot taller.

 

How are you not employed by our club? It’s a travesty I tell you.

 

No left for Swindon then Norwich, Milton Keynes, Wycombe, Macclesfield, Aldershot and Woking. Barnet and Crewe were on loan whilst with us! Now aged 39.

 

Sema has given us years of fine service, especially in the Championship, but to be brutally honest, I'm not too disappointed by that news, he doesn't get into the team anymore with everyone fit. Bayo apparently wasn't happy on Saturday, was that because he was actually fit to play, or because his main competitor further cemented his place in the team?

 

Is Lewis ready to start yet ?

 

I raise you one Nordin Wooter

 

Before McNamee!

 

5 year deal?

 

He was the only bright spark in a very dull team and every time he got the ball the crowd got out of their seats because he was so positive and direct . Of course there have been many many better players since then but that wasn’t what I was referring to, more as a comparison that the moment Asprilla got the ball on Saturday the whole Rookery got out of their seats because we can see Yaser is direct , positive and always looking to progress the game rather than take the safe option .

 

He only got fans off their seats once for THAT goal. Otherwise did nothing and was a waste of a shirt.