Watford Player Ratings

[TrickyTrev]

Weale 6 It didn't look like any of the goals were his responsibility but for the first time we looked insecure under high crosses into the box. With the 2nd half being played at the other end it was difficult to ascertain how culpable he was in this.

Nielson 5 When we play the diamond he and Berner have a lot of responsibility to provide width and carry the ball forwards. He is clearly incapable of this role and for that he can't be blamed, he is, we are told, a defensive and not an attacking full back. However, after a good first half defensive performance he was as guilty as anyone of panicy defending come the second half. Our constant slashing it out into the stands for throw ins and corners to them, meant the pressure was unrelenting. I believe he was beaten in the air for the last 2 goals as well, they were certainly in his area. This I don't find surprising because he's a poor athlete and not particularly great in the air. I'll say it again, we need a new right back.

Hobbs 6 Whilst he was the only one of our defenders to win anything whilst we were under siege, he got beaten too easily for the first goal. He was also responsible for his fair share of pressure inducing sliced clearences.

Brown 5 Good in the first half but Panicer-in-Chief in the 2nd. Suspect this will be his last game for a while after 3 poor performances in a row and the imminent return of The Tunch.

Berner 6 Good going forwards but was exposed in the 2nd. They correctly identified the fact they could double up on the wings with our diamond and Gallagher provided particularly poor coverage from the deeper position he was employed in the 2nd half. Also Bruno kept on switching off when the ball was lumped out for a throw in, forgetting every time that the ball could come starrght back in with the multi ball system. This lack of concentration cost him a booking int he 1st half and he made the same mistake a few times in the 2nd.

Oakley 5 Once again anonymous when the going got tough in the 2nd half.

King 5 He looks extremely rusty and gave the ball away horrendously a couple of times. We still saw in the 1st the value of a holding player, as we completely dominated the game. This was lost in the 2nd half as we failed to close the ball down and thus negated a numerical advantage in the midfield, this was more the fault of Oakley and Gallagher than he.

Wellens 7 His ranking remains unblemished by the second half shambles. He played some lovely through passes from deep and really pressurised and closed down the opposition. We badly missed him after injury. The sooner he is back the better.

Gallagher 8I thought he was brilliant in the first half, pulling the strings and bringing Oakley and Wellens into play. His delivery into the box is top notch and the volleyed through ball to Fryatt for the second goal was a sign of quality. He did not do the same defensive role as Wellens in the second despite moving to his position, more out of ignorance of the nuances of the role than a lack of effort I think. I was surprised when he was taken off, we could have done with him rekindling his connection with Fryatt when all else was going wrong.

Howard 4 Missed two straight forward headers from 8 yards out in the first 5 minutes of the 2nd half that could have put the game to bed. For a player in the side solely for his heading ability these were unforgivable misses and it is hard to see how he is going to break his season long duck if he can't put these away. As a target man again he gave a typical Howard performance, winning his flick ons from goal kicks but offering little else. When we needed somebody to hold the ball up during the siege his immobility meant that he could offer us nothing in terms of holding the ball up or any other form of out ball. To cap it all off his crap touch led to the third ball. Should have been take off instead of Fryatt.

Fryatt 8 Beautiful goal and a cool penalty. Our only goal threat.

SUBS

Adams 6 Lost at the tip of the diamond but much better on the wing

Waghorn 7 Great set up for the goal but he has a lot to learn about movement

N'Guessen 7 Quick, strong, good in the air, great touch,two footed and with an eye for a goal. What is not to like? Sure he is a rough diamond but I am convinced he already offers us a better option as a target man than Howard and can see him developing into a rounded forwards.

[Bert]

Weale 6 - Nothing to do in the first half, pathetic protection from the defence second half which left him with little to no chance for their goals.

Neilson 5 - Poor. Defensively caught out of position, kept knocking the ball out of play when under no pressure.

Berner 7 - Another good performance from Bruno.

Hobbs 6 - The better of the centre backs, but still at fault for their 1st.

Brown 5 - Wins everything in the air, but can't do anything else. Tunchev, PLEASE.

Oakley 6 - Had a cracking first half, but didn't step up when he needed to in the second half, still glimpses of class.

Gallagher 7 - Technically very good, would like to see him up front because he looked quite dangerous today.

King 6 - Lost count how many times he gave the ball away, one which led to a stupid booking. But, he stuck to his task well and played his part.

Wellens 7 - What a miss he was when he went off. Controls the game for us and has pretty much everything, rarely wastes the ball.

Fryatt 8 - The boy's on fire. Looking so dangerous (And probably our only player that looks dangerous) at the minute and scored 2 goals one of them that capped off a fantastic team move, but don't forget that he still had a lot to do, worth the wait to see tonight for sure.

Howard 6 - Could've scored early on but was denied by a fantastic block, won so much in the air and created so much space for others too. Still no goals, but he's getting closer.

N'Guessan 7 - Salvaged a point with a great header and looked dangerous when he came on.

Waghorn 6 - Industrious. Would like to see him get a bit longer pitch time. Fantastic cross for N'Guessan's goal.

Adams 6 - A bit hit and miss today.

[lildave3]

Adams?

[MC Prussian]

Weale - 6

Wellens - 6

Hobbs - 6

Brown - 3

Berner - 6

King - 4

Wellens - 7

Oakley - 6

Gallagher - 5

Fryatt - 9

Howard - 4

Subs:

Adams - 6

N'Guessan - 7

Waghorn - 7

[Heart-Shaped Fox]

Weale 6 - What did he do? Nothing execept pick the ball out of the net 3 times which wasn't his fault.

Neilson 6.5 - Looked dangerous going forward in the 1st half but in the 2nd like the other defenders seemed to think they were never going to score.

Berner 7 - Similar to Neilson but bit better. Always in the left back area when they counter attacked and he didn't have enough help from the left midfielder (Gallagher and Adams) in defending.

Hobbs 5 - Cracking first half then he and Brown seemed to become clueless. Keep him in for now, but should be disappointed with the poor 2nd half

Brown 4.5 - Used experience well in the 1st half and looked solid then collapsed in the 2nd. ot good enough over the last two games for me and think Tunchev should be given a go.

Oakley 6.5 - Good first half, but all the midfield went missing when Wellens went off.

Gallagher 6 - OK first half, nothing in the 2nd. Not a winger for me. Should be given a chance in front of Howard if things dont change.

King 6 - Looks like he needs match time. Seemed to have diappeared in the 2nd half.

Wellens 7 - Played well and looked dangerous when he went off we looked lost going forward and ope his injury isnt bad.

Fryatt 9 - He annoys me. Misses easier chances than he scores. Today he looked like he didnt need 2/3 chances to score. The 2nd of his goals was brilliant, seemed quieter after the break though.

Howard 5 - Worst performance in a long time for me. Won most headers as usual but should have scored in both halves. He had the chance to kill the game off straight fter HT with a header at the back post but it was poor. Needs to score to help confidence.

N'Guessan 7 - Looked threatening down the right and what a header that was.

Waghorn 6 - Doesnt seem to be the same player I saw vs. Swansea. Tried though good cross for N'Guessan.

Adams 6 - Didnt seem to know whether he was on the right or in the middle.

[maddog]

Wheale 5- His worst performance in a City shirt, kept getting out of position, panicked.

Neilson 8- Excellent tackling, fantastic runs up the right wing 1st half, solid and creative.

Brown 5- I don't think he should have played today, although his confidence would have been shattered had he been dropped, Tunchev next week please.

Hobbs 6- Did ok.

Oakley 5- So frustrating, looked so slow and lazy and i can't be arsed when we went behind, gives the ball away, and generally is a poor captain all round for me.

Wellens 7- Easily the best midfielder we have, shame he went off, hope he's not out for long or we are in trouble.

King 6- Better than previous performances, but i just don't rate him anymore.

Gallagher 4.5- What is he doing on the wing, cuts inside too easily when he should be on the wing, NP needs to play him up front or just drop him, he's probably on high wages and NP feels pressured to play him, with him being the new signing from the Prem.

Fryatt 8- Fantastic finish, good penalty, very good.

Howard 6- Not that strong for me again, gives away a lot of pointless fouls, and always mis times his jumps when heading crosses.

Subs:

Waghorn 7- Did well today, added that little bit of pace and creativity.

N'Guessan 8- Got us the equaliser, looked up for it, and he and Waghorn turned it around for us in the end.

Adams 6.5- What was he doing in the centre, did NP decide that or did Oakley have any influence he appeared to tell Adams to go centre, strange, but once he got on the wing he was good, and much better than Gallagher.

EDIT: Missed Berner out 7.5- Played well, and what a run down the left first half, then he just stood off the pitch knackered.

[lou]

Weale 6.5 - Hung out to dry by his back four 2nd half.

Neilson 5.5 - One of the worst offenders today.

Berner 7 - Solid and got forward....... that run he made full length of the pitch?!

Hobbs 6.5 - Mediocre - not when of his better games

Brown 5 - Time for a rest, Our Wayne

Oakley 7 - Mixed game but 1st half saved him from a worse score

Gallagher 7 - still out of position but looked good at times today

King 5.5 - Meh not a very good performance and gave possession away a lot

Wellens 8 - Love this guy and it showed how good he is when he went off

Fryatt 8.5 - gets better every game - Im not a Fryatt lover as a rule but he is proving me wrong most weeks which is great. We need someone else to bag a few!

Howard 6.5 - won loads as usual but I wish hed score a few and shut the Howard haters up. Not his best game thou

N'Guessan 7.5 - Improved us when he came on and saved my day with a fantastic header!

Waghorn 7 - Set up a goal and tries hard

Adams 5 - Not a good day for Adams

[davieG]

With two halves being so different it's hard to come up with suitable ratings so I'll just go for rating the game on entertainment and value for money at 8/10

[Daggers]

Neilson 5 - Poor. Defensively caught out of position, kept knocking the ball out of play when under no pressure.

I've seen him twice in the flesh and once on TV, and wouldn't rate him as a player worth more than a 5. Ever. Seems a harsh comment but he struck me as one of those also-ran journeyman players we've seen so much of in the past. In fact, I wrote him off entirely from one pre-season match.

I always felt Morrison acquitted himself very well at right-back so I'd love to hear from anyone going regularly this season the reasons why Neilson should be holding down the slot in favour of him?

[lou]

I've seen him twice in the flesh and once on TV, and wouldn't rate him as a player worth more than a 5. Ever. Seems a harsh comment but he struck me as one of those also-ran journeyman players we've seen so much of in the past. In fact, I wrote him off entirely from one pre-season match.

I always felt Morrison acquitted himself very well at right-back so I'd love to hear from anyone going regularly this season the reasons why Neilson should be holding down the slot in favour of him?

Totally agree about Morrison and I have no idea why he was dropped for Neilson who I dont rate at all.

[Bert]

I've seen him twice in the flesh and once on TV, and wouldn't rate him as a player worth more than a 5. Ever. Seems a harsh comment but he struck me as one of those also-ran journeyman players we've seen so much of in the past. In fact, I wrote him off entirely from one pre-season match.

I always felt Morrison acquitted himself very well at right-back so I'd love to hear from anyone going regularly this season the reasons why Neilson should be holding down the slot in favour of him?

You know what, I was thinking this during the game today, I wouldn't mind seeing Morrison back in, as much as I dislike him, he can't be much worse than Neilson.

Neilson is one of NP's chosen men.

[Thracian]

Weale 6.5 (Conceding three is never a good advert for a goalkeeper and while it wasn't easy to opportion blame precisely, the goals coming at the far end, too many balls were being floated or driven across our box in the second half without our keeper making his presence known. Whether he got a touch to a shot which hit the bar I couldn't be certain but if he did, that was important).

Neilson 5.5 (Delivered the cross which led to the handball incident with no City man in sight and generally had his best 45 minutes for the club in the first half. Second half he faded noticeably and allowed Helguson to score two goals unchallenged on his post which has to present question marks. Not that he'll be the only one at fault.).

Hobbs 5 (Seemed to be at fault for their first goal and became as thoughtless and sloppy as the rest second half).

Brown 6 (Did his job tenaciously and effectively first half but was involved in our collective defensive collapse after the break).

Berner 6 (Like Neilson started well then started to struggle somewhat).

Oakley 6 (Subdued game and as already mentioned elsewhere should probably have joined King in central midfield when Wellens departed because Adams didn't look like the answer).

King 6.75 (Apart from a couple of minor blips stayed well involved throughout. Started the move for Fryatt's second, linked play competently and made some important defensive blocks towards the end. First half we looked the best we'd played all season).

Wellens 6.5 (Having Oakley/King/Wellens in midfield within a fluid 4-3-3/4-3-1-2 formation gave us an initial dominance we have rarely enjoyed and at 2-0 up after 45 minutes few could have guessed how dramatically Watford's change of approach would catch us out. Wellens' departure with injury was a blow but not the only factor in their comeback.).

Fryatt 8 (Two vital goals yet again, the second being a peach to remember both individually and for the four-man move that led up to it).

Howard 6 (Threatened their goal rather tamely a few times but was mostly involved too far from goal winning his flick-ons. I'm increasingly wondering if N'Guessan should play as one of our central strikers with someone pacey on the outside).

Gallagher 6 (Well involved first half with some clever touches and dangerous set-pieces. I think he played a part in our second goal but second half he largely disappeared from the picture and yet another game without a goal only added to the case against him starting).

Subs:

N'Guessan 7 (Emphatic header on the far post to save the game and a point from Waghorn's cross. Made little more contribution but that goal was vital and one to remember).

Waghorn 6.5 (Delivered a wonderful cross for N'Guessan's equaliser having done well to even create the opportunity to get the cross in).

Adams 5 (One good dribble make have created a goal but otherwise disappointing).

[maddog]

You know what, I was thinking this during the game today, I wouldn't mind seeing Morrison back in, as much as I dislike him, he can't be much worse than Neilson.

Neilson is one of NP's chosen men.

Harsh.

Neilson played well today, made some excellent runs down the right, made one world class tackle, some good headers and was solid.

He did knock it out of play a few times, but he was the key man for us on the right hand side in the 1st half, we used to praise Gilbert for getting forward from right back and Neilson did that today very well.

Infact looking at both halves together, Neilson was one of the best performers.

[lou]

You know what, I was thinking this during the game today, I wouldn't mind seeing Morrison back in, as much as I dislike him, he can't be much worse than Neilson.

Neilson is one of NP's chosen men.

Yeah I suppose NP wouldnt want to drop him in favour of a player who was already here when he signed Neilson as its like admitting he made a duff signing.

Harsh.

Neilson played well today, made some excellent runs down the right, made one world class tackle, some good headers and was solid.

He did knock it out of play a few times, but he was the key man for us on the right hand side in the 1st half, we used to praise Gilbert for getting forward from right back and Neilson did that today very well.

Infact looking at both halves together, Neilson was one of the best performers.

Interesting views.,..... I thought he was one of our worst

[Bert]

Why am I not surprised to see Thracian rate King our top midfielder, even though he wasn't? Get your head out of his arse.

[TrickyTrev]

I've seen him twice in the flesh and once on TV, and wouldn't rate him as a player worth more than a 5. Ever. Seems a harsh comment but he struck me as one of those also-ran journeyman players we've seen so much of in the past. In fact, I wrote him off entirely from one pre-season match.

I always felt Morrison acquitted himself very well at right-back so I'd love to hear from anyone going regularly this season the reasons why Neilson should be holding down the slot in favour of him?

Its not harsh. If Nielson has a stormer it is a six, he doesn't have the athleticism or the passing/ball skills to ever get any higher. The lad has performed admirably given his limitations but it is disappointing he is the only genuine right back at the club, surely he is more of a back up player who you can throw in to the side at short notice and know he won't let you down.

[Bert]

Yeah I suppose NP wouldnt want to drop him in favour of a player who was already here when he signed Neilson as its like admitting he made a duff signing.

Morrison was signed by Pearson.

[C-man]

I could have sworn Morrison was NPs first signing?

[maddog]

Yeah I suppose NP wouldnt want to drop him in favour of a player who was already here when he signed Neilson as its like admitting he made a duff signing.

Interesting views.,..... I thought he was one of our worst

I will get slated by bert in a minute then

All those great runs he made up the right wing were so good, a lot of effort, he obviously needs to practice crosses and general distribution but that was his best performance in a city shirt for me.

He may have been at fault for the goals, but the entire team were, they were all panicking and fooking up, so to square blame on Robbie very harsh.

[davieG]

Yeah I suppose NP wouldnt want to drop him in favour of a player who was already here when he signed Neilson as its like admitting he made a duff signing.

Interesting views.,..... I thought he was one of our worst

Morrison was signed by Pearson.

I could have sworn Morrison was NPs first signing?

Don't worry lou it's an age thing it comes to us all.

[lou]

Morrison was signed by Pearson.

Yeah I know I meant Morrison was here before Neilson was signed...... I know what I mean anyway

[lou]

Don't worry lou it's an age thing it comes to us all.

Noooo I didnt mean Morrison was here before NP I just meant he was already here when he signed Neilson

Im not that old

[Budweiser]

The lets slate Robbie Neilson thread continues.

The guy needs time to settle.

[lou]

The lets slate Robbie Neilson thread continues.

The guy needs time to settle.

How long?

[davieG]

Noooo I didnt mean Morrison was here before NP I just meant he was already here when he signed Neilson

Im not that old

Just teasing