Oppo Forum: https://www.motforum.com/phpbb/ Well, now the boring International Break is done with yet again it's back to proper football at the Vic for Clev's homecoming fixture under the lights on Friday. However, it could well turn into a baptism of fire as the visitors are promotion chasing Leeds United, who are looking very good odds to go straight back up at the first attempt, and having thrashed us 3-0 convincingly at Elland Road earlier in the season, it is no doubt a fixture they are fully expected to win with just as much ease. Let's not pull any false ones here, we were lucky to beat Birmingham last time out, they were the better side for most of the game even if the game itself was about as exciting as watching paint dry. But, thanks to Dennis we got the win that has put us on the verge of Championship football next season. We need maybe one more win or at a push a win a two draws to be certain, as I think 51pts is more than enough to survive this season. Did we deserve it? No, a draw would of been more than fair but at least there was effort from the lads and TC would of been more than pleased with the result. So, onto Friday. I won't lie, I'm a bit frightened of how we defend in game as of late and being again without Hoedt is a massive loss. Leeds have some very good players at this level, and although they don't win 5-0 every week like Arsenal tended to do, they rarely make a game difficult and I can see them going full throttle from the off. Our continued tendency to start games at a snails pace will do us no favours. There is no time to "feel the other team out" for 20mins because we could well be 2-0 down and the game all but over before half time. Have we got the players with the same level as Leeds? No way. But I think we saw glimpses at Birmingham of what Clevs is going to try to input into the side for these final games. If we can make the game as difficult as possible for them and perhaps limit them to a slender 1-0 win or god forbid even a draw, that would be a further step in the right direction. It's a free hit for us and that means doubly so how important it was for us to win last time out. I have no doubt Tom will get a good reception from the home fans, and lets' hope for a better turn out. Yes we might we waiting another week or so for another home win, but our last few home performances have been far from entertaining. I cannot see us not winning at home again this season (future Skyla Rose has mentally bookmarked this quote) but I cannot see it coming on Friday. It might, you never know we could catch them on an off day, but the odds are stacked heavily against us. Skyla Predicts: Watford 1 Leeds 2
With all the current issues with penalties for financial misconduct can we arrange for Leeds to have a goals deduction at half time? 5 or 6 should do it.
Not sure what the best tactics are for this game. We’ve all moaned about the boring defensive football under VI but we could get cut to pieces by that Leeds attack running at our defence. Sadly we also have no real pace upfront so can’t play defensively and then break at speed. I think a narrow defeat is probably the best we can expect from this but fear we are likely to concede 3 or more.
Of all the remaining games this one is the one to fear the most I think. Even a competitive defeat would be a decent effort. Any points a very good outcome indeed. Could get nasty.
Zero chance of getting anything out of this, despite the social media onslaught of "Clevs" and the "boys" hard at it in training, complete with flexing bicep emojis No trains running, so I'm not wasting a perfectly good bank holiday driving. Our seats will be empty.
I won't be getting off my backside for the 3hr+ round trip to this treat of a game either. Least we'll all be there where it matters though - on the attendance figures to fiddle the taxman with.
I doubt it fiddles the taxman, it would actually benefit us to under-declare attendances/income rather than over-declare. Presume it's a legal obligation to disclose "paid for seats" rather than "number through the turnstiles" ?? You could instead drive to Leeds and watch it live on tv in a jovial and high-spirited pub atmosphere ?
Ah yes! The joys of living amongst friendly, jovial Weeds fans. On Sunday I think I’ll defiantly wear my Watford scarf to church.
I'll be at a beer festival in Aylesbury on Friday and will definitely be swerving this one. (in fact I intend to be zonked out by Kick off) Can't see anything past a Leeds win here.
Never has the phrase "free hit" been more apt, 0-4 Leeds. I imagine our evenings will be free after 8:45pm and i think thats being optimistic. Where is the "no lube" option in the poll?
Good plug for Samaritans. My brother works for them, so it's handy that he'll be with me after we've watched the match.
The most stupid time for a game of football. I hope this is not a sign of things to come next season with the new TV deal.
The season is pretty much over for us already and if we play anywhere near as badly as we did vs Birmingham we'll get tonked. I'll be content with any result that's better than losing by a 4 goal margin.
Years and years ago it was definitely the other way round. The official attendance under-reported the size of the crowd, particularly for big games. Of course this was at a time when season tickets were rare and almost everyone paid at the turnstile.
Interesting you talk about that sort of thing . Saw this on Twitter the other day showing how average gates were maybe much lower throughout the leagues in the 80s. https://twitter.com/1968Tv/status/1771928767251845586
Perversely, (how many tries did that take to spell), I may go to this one just to see how bad it can be. But then again I may not.
Would this also be partly down to the reputation football had (hooligans etc) back then? Imagine football now being much more family friendly has contributed a lot to that
That’s the problem, people rate the Championship as being highly competitive but I’m not sure it is really, results like QPR nicking three points at Leicester are pretty rare. You have to go (considerably) further down the pyramid to see a true level of competitiveness, where not only literally anyone can beat anyone anywhere (except maybe teams at Chesterfield), but they can outplay them and deserve to win. Struggling Colchester just got a 1-1 draw at free-scoring Mansfield, similar fixtures here saw Sheffield Wednesday get battered at Southampton and Ipswich. I think every team in or just below the National League play-offs has got beaten at home by a relegation-threatened team at least once, Leeds haven’t even lost a home match yet. Sometimes the Championship feels like an extension of the Premier League, and I’d include ourselves in that once (strange how teams seemed afraid to attack us at home in 2020/21 when we had Masina, WTE and Cathcart as regulars in defence, who weren’t brilliant even at Championship level even back them, an inconsistent Chalobah and no great threat on the left).
On paper Leeds probably have the best squad in the division. I think we will fare better with Cleverley than we would have done with Ismael but still cannot see us getting anything out of this game. Going into half time only 1 down (or even better, level) is crucial as any more and I think we will crumble. Leeds will not be falling apart again sadly. Watford 1-3 Leeds
