Watford (h) pre-match thread

[kaz7]

the team will be determined by their fitness levels,a lot will be getting a rest for 2 weeks so the strongest team we can muster for this one,having big D back is a huge advantage 1-0 no injuries will do,i realise the no injuries is a faint hope given that is how managers have decided to stop us

 

[domalino]

Believe me yaya worry's me too but in a game where we will have 75% possession I defo think its a small gamble to take

It is a gamble though, not because of the defensive side of things, but because Yaya kills our attacking game as well. He slows everything down, has zero movement and has even lost his threat from long range now.

Starting him is handcuffing our attack and putting the handbrake on. It pretty much rules out any quick start to the game, or keeping the game at a pace that Watford can't deal with, and would probably lead to us needing a late goal with Watford thinking they can get something from the game.

We should be starting the best team possible and then resting the players when the game is won, through substitutions and by killing the game and making it a keep-ball exercise.

 

[Pam]

On the plus side I think we are mathematicaly safe from relegation :-)

You had better be right about this.

 

[chaddblue]

Deeney still absent through suspension I see

Yep, but think he’s injured anyway

 

[The Black Shed]

If all fit...

Ederson
Walker
Stones
Otamendi
Delph
Fernandinho
KDB
Silva
Sterling
Sane
Aguero

 

[Neville Kneville]

Sorry, have to disagree. Nacho was imo out of his depth with us

Whether he was or not, isn't relevant to whether he could tap a ball into a net from a relatively easy position, in a way we have currently missed out on, numerous times in recent games, when it could have made life a lot easier had someone done so when given the chance .

 

[Blueknows]

Delph and VK close to return and will both have late fitness tests

 

[Blue Hefner]

I don’t think this will be an easy game. I can see a 0-0 or a tight 1-0 win for us

This isn’t be being overly negative but I am not optimistic due to our injuries and the schedule

 

[Yates]

Jesus is out.
Aguero's out of form and carrying an injury.
KDB is probably out.
Silva only just got back from Spain.
Stones' first game back.
Sané is out of form and moody about it.
Delph is probably still out.


At this point I'll take any kind of 3 points we can get.

All worries for me too except Silva. The lad can miss a week or so and still dominate the game, he will be great tonight.

 

[mosssideblue]

Whether he was or not, isn't relevant to whether he could tap a ball into a net from a relatively easy position, in a way we have currently missed out on, numerous times in recent games, when it could have made life a lot easier had someone done so when given the chance .

Are you trying to say that nacho would have scored the goals that Aguero et al didn't? if so, what is to say nacho wouldn't have missed too?

 

[mosssideblue]

I don’t think this will be an easy game. I can see a 0-0 or a tight 1-0 win for us

This isn’t be being overly negative but I am not optimistic due to our injuries and the schedule

what injuries (other than Jesus/Bendy) - gen q by the way

 

[Neville Kneville]

Are you trying to say that nacho would have scored the goals that Aguero et al didn't? if so, what is to say nacho wouldn't have missed too?

I'm saying Sean Goater or Fat Bob Taylor would have put a couple of the recent ones away & been in position to put away a couple more, so yes.

'Shaun' sorry.

 

[deano ou812]

Whether he was or not, isn't relevant to whether he could tap a ball into a net from a relatively easy position, in a way we have currently missed out on, numerous times in recent games, when it could have made life a lot easier had someone done so when given the chance .

Good points,I think that’s what this team is missing a sort of poacher which in some games for us nacho was that,may not have been up to what pep wanted in terms of team work and pressing but sometimes you need to be pragmatic and have a striker who’s sole job is to put the ball in the net and fuck all else...

 

[Neville Kneville]

Good points,I think that’s what this team is missing a sort of poacher which in some games for us nacho was that,may not have been up to what pep wanted in terms of team work and pressing but sometimes you need to be pragmatic and have a striker who’s sole job is to put the ball in the net and fuck all else...

There was a cross KDB put in the other day which sailed past the near post with Aguero nowhere near it.

If you had never seen KDB play, there would be a slight excuse for it, but really, as a striker, you should guess it anyway.

Kelechi, for us, was a game winner with stuff like that. (Not at Leicester, he missed one he would score for City with his eyes shut)

 

[mosssideblue]

Good points,I think that’s what this team is missing a sort of poacher which in some games for us nacho was that,may not have been up to what pep wanted in terms of team work and pressing but sometimes you need to be pragmatic and have a striker who’s sole job is to put the ball in the net and fuck all else...

well he wouldn't get much game time with pep at the helm would he?
I know we have missed some sitters but it is purely speculative to suggest AN Other would have slotted them when one of the worlds current and future best have failed

 

[Neville Kneville]

well he wouldn't get much game time with pep at the helm would he?
I know we have missed some sitters but it is purely speculative to suggest AN Other would have slotted them when one of the worlds current and future best have failed

Not really, Sterling has proved it imo.

 

[kevin horlocks wand]

I don’t think this will be an easy game. I can see a 0-0 or a tight 1-0 win for us

This isn’t be being overly negative but I am not optimistic due to our injuries and the schedule

I am concerned what the atmosphere / crowd would be like and whether that will affect the players. Given the kids went back today or (my son) tomorrow - the family stand is going to be half empty .

I am not going tonight as nipper has school tomorrow - given weather forecast for later as well hope crowd is ok.

Whoever heard of a game on 2 jan at night anyway - stupid idea.

Is Gill doing the scheduling.

 

[sir baconface]

Merlin is back in my fantasy team tonight as captain. I had to transfer him out temporarily. Watch him rack up the points.

(Hope to fcuk he plays.)

 

[mosssideblue]

Not really, Sterling has proved it imo.

Nacho has nowhere near the level of skill Sterling has, let alone the speed of thought and body to deliver what pep would expect. We simply will have to agree to disagree

 

[ninjamonkey]

Important we go out tonight and from the first minute move the ball with a quick tempo. We looked lethargic against palace and it seemed very easy for them defensively as we didn't push them around the pitch quick enough to create and exploit gaps. We do that from the start tonight and we should win convincingly. We can't lose that aura of invincibility we've built because of one poor game.