Watford (H) Post Match Thread 2 - 1

[Nalis]

As for the game, they looked organised and have kept a decent about of clean sheets this season so it will be close.

I'm going 2-1. Vardy and Kante. Deeney for Watford.

Obviously didnt put any money on the above FFS...

[Hollism]

Wow

[foxfanazer]

Obviously didnt put any money on the above FFS...

bragging rights though

[VLC86]

still went in tho

Boom, that tekkers though. Worst shot iv seen in a long time and it still goes in

[bovril]

Obviously didnt put any money on the above FFS...

 

You have my respect. Which of course means more to you than a few hundred quid.

[st albans fox]

Oh geez! Why are you posting the evidence for all to see?

I didn't take the photo !

Will be interesting to see what happens on this. A month or so ago, the journos would be all over this trying to get a ban. However, the ten goal record has become the story and I think the editors will probably feel they have more mileage in this and the disconnect with hodgson not playing vardy down the middle. who would they rather bash? Vardy or hodgson? The general public are now more behind JV than they were.

After all, shearer got away with taking off lennys head !

[Babylon]

Fair play to Watford I was fairly impressed with their effort, especially first half, although I didn't think they would be able to keep it up. You an see that they are very well coached.

Two teams closing each other down so quickly meant it was very scrappy first half. When they dropped off second half we were much more in control and I think we just about deserved the win.

[suffolk fox]

Christ on a bike all this lucky to win bollox on here is doing my head in. Yes, we were not at our wonderful best, but a sign of a good team is to grind out a win, we did exactly that.

Watford set up with two banks of four to try and negate our wing play. To be fair they did nullify our attacking threat in the first half so credit to them for that. However, that said it was like watching two Championship sides 1st half the amount of times Watson and even Capoue for them lumped it up into the air in the hope Deeney would get the flick on for Igalo or whoever was embarrasing. Unfortunately we got sucked into their embarrasing ways and started doing the bloody same.

Second half after Raneris inspired team talk and substitution of an inefective Schlupp there was only one team in it. We started to play a lot more like our old selves and frankly and honestly they couldn't match our intensity.

We deserved to win that game, luck be dammed.

[st albans fox]

Strange - I commented to my son that they seemed intent not to lump it forward, despite having deeney and ighalo up there. their free kicks often played short rather than put 'into the mixer'

[theessexfox]

Deeney and Ighalo are a hell of a partnership. Didn't quite come off today but their runs off one another and their link up play is superb, Ighalo was unlucky not to score first half. They were also good on the ball but with little threat when they were knocking it about at the back.

 

We were marginally worse first half but picked it up second half, and we're getting better at seeing out a win. Albeit we've given away two penalties in the last two games to make it more tricky for ourselves, but we're holding out. What a time to be a City fan 

[MC Prussian]

Told you Watford shouldn't be underestimated. After a rocky start, they've finally found their shape and look a very solid and tidy outfit. I think they managed to build upon a highly reliable back four and their defense was again exceptional over long stretches yesterday, stifling our attacks very early on and not letting anyone near Gomes.

 

Ighalo and Deeney look like a very good striker partnership and Abdi has also been unlucky not finding the net more often - I think he's a bit wasted out wide, he should play in the middle.

In any case, it's going to be just as much a challenge getting something at Vicarage Road for the reverse fixture.

 

That we managed to snatch all three points was down to relentlessness and a slice of luck (or Gomes' initial blunder). The first goal allowed for a much more open and spectacular game, the first half was a rather tense and dour affair.

[Jimbo]

From where I was sat they stifled us up top in the first half, Vardy looked isolated because Watson just sat in front of the central defenders and tidied everything up. We couldn't play the percentages game, every time we pumped the ball up Mahrez was losing out and Vardy didn't have any affect.

At half time we brought Okazaki on and suddenly Watson had more to think about. They weren't allowed as much time on the ball. Okazaki was closing down well which freed up Mahrez on the wing and allowed Vardy to play of the shoulders of the centre halves.

I've heard and read a lot about Okazaki but I personally don't think his role in the team should be underestimated. Yes we'd like him to score more goals or at least create more goal scoring opportunities but his pressing and energy up front frees up our other 3 attacking players. He doesn't give a defender a moments rest

It's basically like having Kante playing up front

[MGLCFC]

From where I was sat they stifled us up top in the first half, Vardy looked isolated because Watson just sat in front of the central defenders and tidied everything up. We couldn't play the percentages game, every time we pumped the ball up Mahrez was losing out and Vardy didn't have any affect.

At half time we brought Okazaki on and suddenly Watson had more to think about. They weren't allowed as much time on the ball. Okazaki was closing down well which freed up Mahrez on the wing and allowed Vardy to play of the shoulders of the centre halves.

I've heard and read a lot about Okazaki but I personally don't think his role in the team should be underestimated. Yes we'd like him to score more goals or at least create more goal scoring opportunities but his pressing and energy up front frees up our other 3 attacking players. He doesn't give a defender a moments rest

It's basically like having Kante playing up front

Totally agree with the Okazaki sentiments. Whilst not the best number 10 in the Prem by a long way, we do function better when he's on the pitch. I thought Mahrez would be the answer at no. 10, but he's more effective out wide.

[st albans fox]

mahrez' effectiveness as a number 10 depends on the opposition holding midfielders. If they are strong and mobile then riyad is going to struggle in that area. Kapoue and Watson nullified him. Another midfield may not be so effective. it's up to the manager to make a judgement.

[Thracian]

Can't see why we'd underestimate anyone. Watford were always expected to be competitive and so it proved.

But, again, Ranieri found the trump cards.

As stated elsewhere, the first half was little more than two teams denying each other time and space and largely cancelling each other out.

We came out on top because we were able to maintain our own pressure, because Ranieri severely limited the supply to Watford's strike force and because eventually, our sustained use of pace and width enabled space to be found in the tiring, increasingly nervous Watford defence which enabled enough chances to be created to win the game. 

Indeed one of our great strengths is the ability to increase pressure the longer the game goes on - hence so many second half goals - and it was in evidence again.

Another factor is the flexibility of our attackers in being able to change positions, pose different problems to different defenders and also Ranieri's ability to make substitutions which make a difference...and at just the right time.

Now he's got to know his staff he seems to balance the team brilliantly while never ignoring the need to subdue the main threats of our opponents.

No I don't expect him to succeed every time but there always seems a point to his "tinkering" which was not always there with countless managers we've had in the past.

The replacing of Schlupp was an example. Schlupp was there to offer pace going forward and cover in defence. When taken off we didn't sacrifice those things, Albrighton moved wide left and Mahrez wide right with Shinji latterly providing the energy left by Drinkwater's departure. Nothing was lost and everything sustained but with a different emphasis.

In the end Watford got careless and frustrated.

And as soon as Kante scored they were vulnerable to being counter-attacked with Vardy having two wonderfully clear breaks off the shoulder of defenders, the second of which resulted in a brilliant goal for all that it was despatched as a penalty.

Some attackers would have shied at the approach of Gomez but not Vardy.

He raced into the challenge like a horse racing flat out into Beecher's Brook and took his fall in the spectacular fashion of so many on the famous Aintree occasion.

The bloke is genuinely fearless. I saw goals missed on Match of the Day because strikers didn't have the courage to score. But with Vardy there's no half measures. Just like his penalty he hits the opposition with everything - pace, commitment, skill and courage - and what an example it sets. 

[fleckneymike]

Watford were very impressive. They will need to add goals from elsewhere if they are to remain well clear of the botton 5 positions but they've continued to recruit well and are too good tactically to be undone by team off days. If they recruit again in January I can see them comfortably mid table.

 

Hopefully this will be a dull season at the wrong end of the table with clubs cut adrift around Feb.

[lcfcsnow]

Is anyone else concerned that we could have gave two penalties away vs Palace, we were lucky to only give one away vs WBA and yesterday another clear penalty. We're becoming a bit too rash in our box.

[Guest Col city fan]

Shows again there are no easy fixtures in this division.

Every victory has to be a hard fought continuous effort and yesterday was no exception.

I think Watford will be safe..They have too much going forward to not be IMO.

As for this 'didn't deserve to win' stuff...meh... of course we did because yet again 'the tinkerman' made the right changes at the right time and got us playing better. Thus far, he's been an excellent manager for this football club.

[Aus Fox]

Is anyone else concerned that we could have gave two penalties away vs Palace, we were lucky to only give one away vs WBA and yesterday another clear penalty. We're becoming a bit too rash in our box.

We didn't give one away v palace, Zaha was rightly booked. The penalty we gave away against WBA was never a penalty.

And the one yesterday was just a bit silly and Kante was unaware of who was around him. Not like a player diving in for a needless tackle.

So no not worried.

[Guest ttfn]

Is anyone else concerned that we could have gave two penalties away vs Palace, we were lucky to only give one away vs WBA and yesterday another clear penalty. We're becoming a bit too rash in our box.

I'd say there have been 2 absolute stonewallers in the last 2 games - yesterday's and the Huth barge on Fletcher at WBA. There has been 1 (in my view) incorrectly given and a couple of "seen them given"s too over the last 3 games.

The thing is that last year the "seen them given"s were all going against us. There's no doubt that we're a much better side this year than last but part of it is (comparatively speaking) getting the rub of the green with opposition howlers and penalty decisions.

Last year we got absolutely shafted by the officials for the first 6 months of the season (starting on the first day when Gareth Barry inexplicably wasn't sent off) and then probably had a fairly even run of it for the last few games.

This year we're probably marginally up on contentious decisions. In the Palace and West Brom games there could have been 5 penalties given against us, albeit only one looked blatant and that wasn't the one given at the Hawthorns, whilst Vardy got a very cheap penalty at Norwich and Schmeichel could easily have given away a penalty/red card at Upton Park. Yes, some things have gone the other way (Mahrez should have had a penalty against Spurs, Lee Mason was abject in the first game against Sunderland and we certainly weren't looked upon favourably in the Arsenal game) but overall I think we've done quite well out of the officials so far this season.

I actually thought that the referee yesterday, Roger East, was excellent. Barely showed a card, allowed the game to flow and got the two key decisions spot on (the linesman in front of the West Stand didn't signal for a penalty for the Gomes foul on Vardy, he flagged for a foul but not the pen). Best referee we've had this season for sure.

[Thracian]

Way back in the past argued that we needed to score at least two goals a game because we didn't have the defence to keep clean sheets consistently and low-score draws wouldn't sustain us.

 

How heartening then to see that we're the only team to have scored in every Premiership game this season and that, once again, we scored twice - and deservedly so - which was enough to collect three points.

 

What  did Watford have yesterday? Three chances including two from outside the box and one inside-the-box snapshot which Kasper might well have touched to safety had it been on target instead of hitting a post. On top of that he got an important deflecting touch on a cross and Morgan did the same to deny Deeney - both things that they are there to do.

 

I don't recall us ever being opened up as such. Even the shot against the post was made under pressure.

 

We, meanwhile scored twice. Mahrez might also have scored with a good run and shot that was well saved and so too Albrighton with his jinking run and shot.

 

Schlupp had an excellent chance which he directed towards the southern stars and Vardy was denied after another fast break similar to the one in which he was floored for our penalty.

 

Shinji and Drinkwater both had excellent shooting opportunities too so we had more clearcut chances and scored more goals in any case. It was always a good contest but I just can't see how anyone could dispute us not "deserving" to win.  

[fleckneymike]

It is slightly heartening that we are now conceding from set plays rather than open play. Fixing that issue is obviously easier said than done but if we can do then we have a chance of maintaining our position in the top half.

 

Norwich - corner

Southampton - corner x 2

West Brom - corner, pen

Watford - pen

[kingfox]

Just me who thought Watford were bang average?

Apart from that Ighalo chance in the first half they did nothing, Morgan & Huth bossed the rest of the game. Their defence in particular were poor, some of the clearances were atrocious, especially from Cathcart & Britos.

First half was average from both sides & very tight, second half we were much the better side, Watford after their penalty tried to press but still created nothing.

Don't think Watford will go down though, about 5-6 teams are worse than them.

[Fox92]

Said it before but yesterday confirmed it - Mahrez isn't good behind. He's not strong enough, quick enough or aggressive enough. Keep him out wide. Okazaki is the man that should play behind Vardy, and I think that substitution at half time changed the game. We were better with Albrighton and Mahrez wide with Okazaki behind Vardy.

 

Can't really knock any of the players. Schlupp looked brainless yet again and didn't get into the game but that's about it. Thought everyone else contributed well. Kante and Drinkwater were excellent again and King tidied up well when he came on.

 

Watford surprised me a bit, they were more direct than I imagined. Bit like when Palace came here. Ighalo spent most of the time on the floor. Still like Deeney though, good player, and a handful at times yesterday.

Just me who thought Watford were bang average?

Apart from that Ighalo chance in the first half they did nothing, Morgan & Huth bossed the rest of the game. There defence in particular were poor, some of the clearances were atrocious, especially from Cathcart & Britos.

First half was average from both sides & very tight, second half we were much the better side, Watford after their penalty tried to press but still created nothing.

Don't think Watford will go down though, about 5-6 teams are worse than them.

 

I've just posted the same thing KingFox. They surprised me a bit. Very direct, 

[Itsblueuptnorth]

Told you Watford shouldn't be underestimated. After a rocky start, they've finally found their shape and look a very solid and tidy outfit. I think they managed to build upon a highly reliable back four and their defense was again exceptional over long stretches yesterday, stifling our attacks very early on and not letting anyone near Gomes.

 

Ighalo and Deeney look like a very good striker partnership and Abdi has also been unlucky not finding the net more often - I think he's a bit wasted out wide, he should play in the middle.

In any case, it's going to be just as much a challenge getting something at Vicarage Road for the reverse fixture.

 

That we managed to snatch all three points was down to relentlessness and a slice of luck (or Gomes' initial blunder). The first goal allowed for a much more open and spectacular game, the first half was a rather tense and dour affair.

You thought they played well yesterday? Deeney was anonymous other than his penalty and Im not sure whether ighalo has found his way out of Morgan's pocket. Other than a pretty even first half they were shite yesterday and we were worthy winners. Other than a mistake from Kante for their penalty I genuinely wasn't concerned for anything other than a win and it was only a tense finish because they'd got a consolation.