Watford post match thread

[BluessinceHydeRoad]

These wins are the most enjoyable of them all. Frustration for 80 minutes, disaster staring us in the face and then two moments of pure magic which change the mood completely. From the prospect of an evening of suppressed fury to one of intense satisfaction and periodic fist pumping in the twinkle of an eye. This could well be the two minutes which transform our season: it felt like the game against Stoke on Boxing Day (?) '98 when we equalised against Stoke at Maine Road and the crowd got behind the team, the players responded and, from a worrying position, we stormed to the play offs. I don't think we should underestimate yesterday's achievement. It might be fair to point out that there were certainly no magic moments in the match at Stoke and that the performance at Leicester was full of frustrations but let's not beat about the bush - Watford were mightily impressive. The "liabilities" - Mangala and Otamendi - found themselves up against a really lively attacking force which was hardly devoid of skill and our pairing had a tough time, but I can't think of any other pairing which wouldn't have had hairy moments. I still can't see that the corner from which Watford scored resulted from anything other than a push/barge on Mangala. I don't think we were faultless yesterday but we should at least acknowledge the quality of the team we were up against. It was unexpectedly frank, generous and honest of their manager to admit that he didn't see what more his team could have given. He is a breath of fresh air in the PL: once you realise that, despite the beard, scarf hair and quietly sinister voice, you are not listening to a member of the Cheka of 1920 determined to liquidate "counter-revolutionaries" what he says is fair and intelligent. The work rate of his team is frighteningly exceptional.

 

[Tim of the Oak]

I think Sagna is a good defender, just not great going forward, but in recent games his (few) crosses have been miles better than Kolarov's (many).

I agree. I think we often only have one attacker in the box so Kolarov is trying to hit Hollywood crosses. Once the opposition defence is set Kolarov would be better off helping the team keep hold of the ball!

 

[Bilboblue]

Thought De Bruyne, Silva, Yaya (for 70 minutes), Sterling and Mangala were absolutely awful yesterday.

You could see Sergio becoming more and more frustrated at his team-mates and lack of service as the game wore on, I think it fired him up for that last ten minutes, nice to see him making more natural runs again as per pre-injury.

Navas actually got a decent cross in too wah-hey! But seriously, he did offer us another option and allowed Sagna (easily man of the match) more room down the right which ultimately led to our winner. I think Pellers deserves a bit of credit for the tactical change, would have liked to see it done earlier though!

It was by no means a good performance but over the xmas/new year period, with games coming thick and fast, 3 points is the most important thing.

As for Watfords ground, I was to the left side, and the fekkin rain was pissing in from the open side to the stand, it didn't make the first 80 mins any easier, piss-wet through and cold, watching shite football, at least the last ten minutes made it all worthwhile.

Onwards and upwards Blues!

 

[bugsyblue]

Does anyone have any goal or match highlights to download/stream?

 

[john@staustell]

I keep hearing how bad we were. Playing a good team, on their own swamp, with more possession, more shots and more goals.

It's like every champion wins every game 5-0. Ridiculous.

 

[Ban-jani]

Sorry folks, don't buy the happy clapping and for God's sake please knock off the cliched 'ER LADS WE WUZZ REALLY SHIT ONCE' excuse. We're supposed to be high class title contenders. Craig Cathcart had Sergio Aguero in his skyrocket for eighty minutes. Kolarov played as if he was fucked on crack. Mangala should be doing the door at Spar. Fairness to Pellegrini for finally ringing some decent changes instead of wringing his hands and lo and behold it came off, but that performance was shite yet again.

Mangala should be doing the door at Spar

Hahahahahhahaha

 

[OB1]

I would have to see the statistics & which fullbacks they are being compared to as opposed to Ashley Young or Danny Blind or Vertonghen etc. Not sure there are any teams in the Prem with any real fullbacks playing regularly to compare with. If you offered all on a free transfer, I'd probably decline.

How do they compare with Bayern's or Barca's or Real Madrid's etc ?

if you want to compare stats to other leagues, you can look them up but I am not doing your work for you. I just happen to know that a recently produced team of the season based on the player performance index included three City players: Sagna, Kolarov and Yaya.

I also know that stats covering several seasons show Clichy and Kolarov as some of the very few defenders that count as the league's most consistent; Clichy, who I prefer to Kolarov, being the most consistent.

Kolarov happens to be one of the very first players that I would replace in our squad but it could just be that us laymen miss some of his value.

I would though expect us to sign a new RB and LB in the sign.

 

[kevodevo]

These wins are the most enjoyable of them all. Frustration for 80 minutes, disaster staring us in the face and then two moments of pure magic which change the mood completely. From the prospect of an evening of suppressed fury to one of intense satisfaction and periodic fist pumping in the twinkle of an eye. This could well be the two minutes which transform our season: it felt like the game against Stoke on Boxing Day (?) '98 when we equalised against Stoke at Maine Road and the crowd got behind the team, the players responded and, from a worrying position, we stormed to the play offs. I don't think we should underestimate yesterday's achievement. It might be fair to point out that there were certainly no magic moments in the match at Stoke and that the performance at Leicester was full of frustrations but let's not beat about the bush - Watford were mightily impressive. The "liabilities" - Mangala and Otamendi - found themselves up against a really lively attacking force which was hardly devoid of skill and our pairing had a tough time, but I can't think of any other pairing which wouldn't have had hairy moments. I still can't see that the corner from which Watford scored resulted from anything other than a push/barge on Mangala. I don't think we were faultless yesterday but we should at least acknowledge the quality of the team we were up against. It was unexpectedly frank, generous and honest of their manager to admit that he didn't see what more his team could have given. He is a breath of fresh air in the PL: once you realise that, despite the beard, scarf hair and quietly sinister voice, you are not listening to a member of the Cheka of 1920 determined to liquidate "counter-revolutionaries" what he says is fair and intelligent. The work rate of his team is frighteningly exceptional.

agree entirely plus - they are going t do us a favour or two with other teams around us -the same goes for stokey too- how the barcodes did not get points yesterday shows arse are not the real dea so it is still ours to lose!! Come City but please fewer of these nerve jangling games !!

 

[OB1]

These wins are the most enjoyable of them all. Frustration for 80 minutes, disaster staring us in the face and then two moments of pure magic which change the mood completely. From the prospect of an evening of suppressed fury to one of intense satisfaction and periodic fist pumping in the twinkle of an eye. This could well be the two minutes which transform our season: it felt like the game against Stoke on Boxing Day (?) '98 when we equalised against Stoke at Maine Road and the crowd got behind the team, the players responded and, from a worrying position, we stormed to the play offs. I don't think we should underestimate yesterday's achievement. It might be fair to point out that there were certainly no magic moments in the match at Stoke and that the performance at Leicester was full of frustrations but let's not beat about the bush - Watford were mightily impressive. The "liabilities" - Mangala and Otamendi - found themselves up against a really lively attacking force which was hardly devoid of skill and our pairing had a tough time, but I can't think of any other pairing which wouldn't have had hairy moments. I still can't see that the corner from which Watford scored resulted from anything other than a push/barge on Mangala. I don't think we were faultless yesterday but we should at least acknowledge the quality of the team we were up against. It was unexpectedly frank, generous and honest of their manager to admit that he didn't see what more his team could have given. He is a breath of fresh air in the PL: once you realise that, despite the beard, scarf hair and quietly sinister voice, you are not listening to a member of the Cheka of 1920 determined to liquidate "counter-revolutionaries" what he says is fair and intelligent. The work rate of his team is frighteningly exceptional.

Good points. I am convinced Mangala was fouled and later in the game Watford were awarded a free kick for no more of a push than Manga received.

 

[Bilboblue]

Hi all. Clearly a Watford fan here. Well done yesterday. Thought that we nearly had you but class told in the end against a side that were out on their feet. It might seem a bit old fashioned but just wanted to congratulate you on the way you play the game. Having suffered the game against much vaunted Spurs when they spent the whole game trying to get players booked, feigning injury, it was good to see a quality team play properly. It seems as though a lot of you feel you played badly but to be honest every team we have played this season has claimed that they had an off day against us. We must be doing something right. Best of luck for the rest of the season.

Hello Harry and welcome to the forum, hopefully you'll stick around.

A lot of us know we played badly mate but I can't see anyone saying you did too, I think you'll find the majority of us acknowledge that Watford were excellent yesterday, but as it is a City forum, you should maybe understand more that we concentrate on our team more than the opposition.

Fwiw, I though Watford were bright, energetic and intelligent in their use f the ball, it was refreshing to see, albeit VERY frustrating for us, watching our players stand around looking while the ball was getting passed between them, behind them or around them!