Watford (H) Pre-Match Thread

[Ric Flair]

I'd be tempted to tinker a smidge with the team for Wednesday to freshen it up. Praet in for Tielemans or Maddison.

[MonkeyTennis?]

I'm not convinced we should mess with the midfeild or at the back at the moment, but I'd like to see Nacho start ahead of Perez after yesterday, just to see if he can capitalise on that performance and build his confidence further as we go into the Christmas merry-go-round. (And I'd like to see Gray and Perez on the bench if he can't.)

 

I like Perez a lot but he seems quite easily bullied off the ball and he's always falling over. 

[Dahnsouff]

Praet in for Maddison

Sharky in for Perez

[TheUltimateWinner]

For the first time in a while I have complete confidence in our squad, we've got so many good options that Brendan can choose from. 

[foxfanazer]

It's 7, it's heaven for Jamie Vardy. Hold the front page, hold the back page,a Leicester player has scored against watford

[Sol thewall Bamba]

Bit of rotation for this, but absolutely no mercy. Justice for Knockaert. 

[rachhere]

I think i would bring in Praet for Tielemans for this one, as he's looked like he could do with a bit of a break. Wilf could probably do with a bit of a break too, but would sooner start with him and then bring Hamza on after we (hopefully) have a comfortable lead. 

[tsintskaro]

Tielemans should rest he made so many mistakes yesterday,Praet in

maybe even start Gray

[lgfualol]

Watford have a back 5 I think. So...

 

Schmeichel

Ricko Evans Soy Chilwell

Ndidi

Tiele Praet

Maddison

Vardy Nacho

 

This formation worked against Everton's back 5 and Watford are even shitter.

[RowlattsFox]

I'd be tempted to make a couple of changes given the schedule this month and its not like we'll make 11 changes in the cup so need to keep odd player fresh. I suppose its a risk if we do make changes and then don't win. Maybe Praet for Tielemans and then Gray/Albrighton for Perez. Temptation is to chuck Iheanacho in but unfair on him to put him out on the right, probably given himself a start against Everton in cup though.

 

 

[Corky]

Hayden Mullins taking charge of Watford for the game. @Super_horns, does he have much experience? Will he change much?

[North Leeds Fox]

As others have mentioned, praet in for madders or youri then Kevin or dimmy in for perez. Need to ensure we keep the team fresh and get miles in the legs before playing the christmas games. Be really good to build the momentum leading into the man city and liverpool matches 

[Wymsey]

Think Watford will treat this game as a cup competition.

They're be the 'minnows' due to their precarious situation, but will gived it a good go.

[stripeyfox]

I can't make this one - won't get there in time from work BUT is this on Amazon Prime TV?

 

 

[rachhere]

4 minutes ago, stripeyfox said:

I can't make this one - won't get there in time from work BUT is this on Amazon Prime TV?

 

 

It is. Several matches in the league streaming at the same time. I remain slightly hesitant about their systems capabilities to provide such a service after watching their live tennis, but we shall see! 

[urban.spaceman]

17 hours ago, StriderHiryu said:

I thought Everton would be an easy game for us because their players would be playing for their manager to be sacked, but was proved completely wrong and they put up one hell of a fight.

 

Hard to say what Watford will be like. If Flores would be in charge it would probably be the easiest home win ever, but now I suspect the new manager will be in the stands, like Rodgers was when we played Brighton at home last season. That will at the very least make their players put a shift in.

 

On paper we've got more than enough to beat them, but as today proved it can always be hard to get over the line. Nacho's performance today makes me excited though because we over rely on Vardy. That finish of his at the death was truly superb, and if we have someone like that as an option then I think we look in good shape. The Everton game proved that if we have to chase the game we can put two up top and cause problems, so if we need to do it again I am still confident we should get a win from this game.

 

I think it will be surprisingly tight, maybe a 1-0 win to us, maybe Vardy from a Nacho off the bench assist again!

Everton were fantastic last night - not much to offer up front despite scoring against the run of play, but they nullified our chosen system very well and can consider themselves extremely disappointed to have lost in the way they did. 

 

I don't think Watford will be able to put up as much of a fight to be honest, especially if we decide to rotate, tinker with our system and turn up with a game plan they couldn't have prepared for.

[stripeyfox]

13 minutes ago, rachhere said:

It is. Several matches in the league streaming at the same time. I remain slightly hesitant about their systems capabilities to provide such a service after watching their live tennis, but we shall see! 

Thank you. That's good then - should be home in time to watch the game on TV. 

[Simi]

Kelech has certainly put himself in contention. But I don't like the idea of starting him in one of the wide positions. He's just got a goal and assist coming on and playing central, don't think shoehorning him in out wide will do much for his confidence. Maybe let JV grab his goal and give him 30 if the game is looking comfortable. 

[UniFox21]

Clement and Houghton both look to have been turned down or interest drawn back. Watford looking for a temporary appointment until the end of the season

[Foxxed]

Everton and Brighton found a way to play against us. Watford will try the same thing: hang back, put an extra man in midfield, keep playmakers Maddison and Tielemans quiet, force us down our less-effective wings and then counter. For Everton it very nearly worked. Trashed all last season by everyone, but Gray and Ian are key to keeping up a vague title chase: in the last three games they've changed the game by giving us a plan b.

[mancunianfox]

2 minutes ago, Foxxed said:

Everton and Brighton found a way to play against us.

Did they though? The combined score of those two games was 4-1 with 0 points taken by either team they mustered a combined 3 shots on target in 180 minutes. If teams want to play like that it may frustrate us for a bit but I really can't see many taking points off of us doing that. 

[David Hankey]

Without doubt now anyone who comes to the King Power will be happy for a draw. The fact is that we have the players who have the ability to break defences down and win matches. I realise it took a bit longer yesterday and going a goal didn't help but in Brendan and the squad we trust.

[StriderHiryu]

From the press conference:

 

Are City exceptional?

Yes. Leaving Celtic was always going to be tough for me. I took it as far as I felt we could.

I was then able to come to an exceptional opportunity and hopefully in my time I can prove it was the right move.

 

Homework for players?

I gave players a document on the details of how we work.

It talks about the principles of the game and the vision. Some will read it, some won’t.

 

Definitely not going to Arsenal?

It’s all about happiness.

Knowing the potential we have here to grow here. That gives me happiness. Why would I want to give that up?

 

How do you manage Iheanacho?

It’s pretty easy really. He understands the role that he is in. He knows he has to work hard.

It will give him a huge boost of confidence. Everybody talks about his Man City chance, his growth since that. You can only do that when you’re working so hard.

His finish was unbelievable. Everybody talks about VAR. But his goal was fantastic. His play was first class.

 

Is Vardy targeting his own record?

I’m not sure. I know he wants to score in every game he plays.

He’s tired at the moment. He’s worked hard and he ended up with a bloody nose yesterday.

 

How good could Ndidi be?

He’s an incredible player. We have lots of artists and he’s the soldier.

He provides the platform for the attacking players. Every top team needs a player like that. He’s been phenomenal in the time I’ve been here.

He’s looking to improve.

 

Managers being sacked?

It’s the time we’re now.

Look at Everton, they were fighting for their manager. We had to work hard to get the result. There’s no way the players are not playing for Marco.

Sanchez comes in, and after a very short period of time he loses his job. That’s not so logical for me that one.

Managers accept the climate that we’re in.

In the modern game it’s difficult to plan longer term. Initially, you’ve got to get your first team right. If you’re at the club for a longer period, you can impose your way, but ultimately you’re going to be judged on winning games.

 

Arsenal job?

What I will say is that I have a contract here until 2022, the club haven’t indicated to me that they’re going to sack me.

I’m very happy and I don’t need to look elsewhere.

Why would I want to leave Leicester City at this moment in time? I’m working with a group of talented players.

I spoke about contract but I was directly responding to a question.

There will always be speculation around jobs. I repeat: I’m happy here. I want to continue with that. Take from that what you want.

 

Title contenders?

The comparisons are not realistic. You say we’re ahead of where we were when we won the league. But the strength of the league was different.

I think you can compare the emotions of it.

There’s still a long way to go. With 10 games to go, let’s see where it’s at.

Liverpool have made a brilliant start. They’ve shown how brilliant they are. It’s going to be extremely tough for any team to catch them.

 

How do you get more game time for Iheanacho?

It’s the hardest part for the manager. I saw this morning how they trained, with intensity, aggression and with a real focus.

When you’re not getting a chance, you have to work hard in training. They are working tirelessly.

 

Will you look for another striker?

We’ll always look but at the moment the squad is healthy.

Any player that we bring in would have to help us. It’s something that strategically we will plan.

 

Tactical change to 3-5-2?

We did it at Palace. It’s been really pleasing for me, the way the players have adapted.

Kelechi coming in, he did terrifically. You saw how happy the players and supporters. He reminded everybody of his qualities. He was the hero yesterday.

 

Rotation?

“We have to look at it. It’s impossible to keep the same team every week. But team’s had a great rhythm and so far we’ve only had to make changes in the game.”

 

Team news?

“We had everybody in today recovering. Gray had flu and we’ll see how he is, but everybody else is fine.”

 

[gurru991]

5 hours ago, LestaAl said:

When are we going to play a half decent side?

All the clubs in the Prem are a challenge as we saw on Sunday. Not sure if you think Everton are "half decent" or not but were certainly a bit decent.

[dynamark]

Same start lineup for me but maybe earlier /halftime subs if things are going well .Get the points on the board.