Watford Post Match

[Ozwin]

You mean Brown? ^

[Lillehamring]

It scares me that losing 1 player can cause such catastophic results.... if hes off long term we are screwed.

Watford never looked like scoring 1st half but never looked like stopping scoring 2nd half! Unbelievable turnaround.

Think they will be more disappointed with a point than we are and at least our 3rd shut up their chavvy little fans to the right of us! Cant believe no one round us would stand up either.. gutted.

Still a bloody good day out though and saw some top ppl again. At half time everywhere I looked were FTers!

from what i can gather it sounds more like the tactical response to his injury was probably more significant than his loss...

[Joe.]

Well there's no doubts that we should have won the game, but massive relief that we came away with something. The second half collapse was crushing to say the least, and to be honest, pretty inevitable once the first goal went in. But thankfully Pearson's substitutions paid off, not for the first time, to get us something from it. One or two suspect decisions from our manager today though I must add.

The first half was brilliant. I don't think Watford registered a shot on target, and we were in complete control. Can't wait to see our second goal again, it was brilliant football from us followed by a finish of real quality from Fryatt. The worst thing to happen to us was half-time it seems, as I said at the time.

Second half Watford came straight at us and got their first fairly quickly. The second followed, and two soon became three. It really was gutting. I've no idea how they managed to score three relatively similar goals, but our centre backs have got to be questioned there. Three crosses into the penalty area, followed by three finishes from close range. Not good enough really. It all seemed to come about after we lost Wellens in midfield, and we were completely overrun thereafter.

I've got no idea why Pearson decided to put Adams in the middle and Oakley on the right hand side, and it really didn't work. Finally Adams moved out to the left side where he looked far more comfortable. Eventually Waghorn and N'Guessan came on and we looked a little better for it. I still never expected us to equalise though, full credit for those pair for salvaging it for us. Waghorn did very well to get his cross away, followed by a good header from N'Guessan. It won't do him any harm to sit a few games on the bench, he seems a very useful player to have for some impact.

All in all, disappointed not to get all three points after the first half performance but massively relieved not to walk away with nothing. It was a brilliant game to watch, a great advert for Championship football. Another point on the road.

[maddog]

Well there's no doubts that we should have won the game, but massive relief that we came away with something. The second half collapse was crushing to say the least, and to be honest, pretty inevitable once the first goal went in. But thankfully Pearson's substitutions paid off, not for the first time, to get us something from it. One or two suspect decisions from our manager today though I must add.

The first half was brilliant. I don't think Watford registered a shot on target, and we were in complete control. Can't wait to see our second goal again, it was brilliant football from us followed by a finish of real quality from Fryatt. The worst thing to happen to us was half-time it seems, as I said at the time.

Second half Watford came straight at us and got their first fairly quickly. The second followed, and two soon became three. It really was gutting. I've no idea how they managed to score three relatively similar goals, but our centre backs have got to be questioned there. Three crosses into the penalty area, followed by three finishes from close range. Not good enough really. It all seemed to come about after we lost Wellens in midfield, and we were completely overrun thereafter.

I've got no idea why Pearson decided to put Adams in the middle and Oakley on the right hand side, and it really didn't work. Finally Adams moved out to the left side where he looked far more comfortable. Eventually Waghorn and N'Guessan came on and we looked a little better for it. I still never expected us to equalise though, full credit for those pair for salvaging it for us. Waghorn did very well to get his cross away, followed by a good header from N'Guessan. It won't do him any harm to sit a few games on the bench, he seems a very useful player to have for some impact.

All in all, disappointed not to get all three points after the first half performance but massively relieved not to walk away with nothing. It was a brilliant game to watch, a great advert for Championship football. Another point on the road.

It looked to me like Adams went out to the RHS when he came on, but Oakley had a word with him and they switched.

Definitely agree with that, didn't know whether to laugh or cry at the end. Not pissed off with the result, but not happy with it.

But very happy at seeing such a great match

[Heart-Shaped Fox]

Would also like to know why NP seems to want to play Gallagher on the left? He came out and said he doesnt want to play on the left but he is still on there!

Neilson looked good today as did Berner who would probably have got Man of the Match if not for Fryatt.

They had 3 small chances to score and they did. They hit the bar too and we were lucky to draw. If we are to make the playoff the PNE is a must win game for me.

[Bert]

Poor effort even though we bagged an equaliser.

Typical non-attender comment. 3 goals away from home is a poor effort? Get a grip.

We were awesome in the first half and Watford were made to look like complete mugs, when they really aren't. Especially at home. We went in so confident at half time and thought we'd already won.

It was clear to everyone that the problem was when Wellens went off. We had no bite, no calming influence and why on earth did Oakley stay wide right? The decision baffled me.

As soon as they scored, we knew what was going to happen, it was always inevitable, but big credit to the lads for sticking at it and getting an equaliser, even though it could and should well have been three points.

[davieG]

Wellen's getting injured wasn't the catalyst for our collapse it was 2-2 when he went off. we were shit before he went off.

Seems to me the introduction of Helguson was the telling factor and our lack of dealing with the totally obvious bombardment from them.

[maddog]

Typical non-attender comment. 3 goals away from home is a poor effort? Get a grip.

We were awesome in the first half and Watford were made to look like complete mugs, when they really aren't. Especially at home. We went in so confident at half time and thought we'd already won.

It was clear to everyone that the problem was when Wellens went off. We had no bite, no calming influence and why on earth did Oakley stay wide right? The decision baffled me.

As soon as they scored, we knew what was going to happen, it was always inevitable, but big credit to the lads for sticking at it and getting an equaliser, even though it could and should well have been three points.

Yes it wasn't a lack of effort that was the reason for that 2nd half.

These things happen in any sport where the momentum just shifts, the whole crowd could feel it, the players could feel it, and you just knew Watford were going to get back into the game, it was only a matter of time once the momentum shifted.

It seems to happen to us more than others though, 3-0 up at Wolves lost 4-3, 3-1 up at Fulham lost 4-3, but we were 2-0 down at home to Tottenham and turned it around.

Total momentum shift out there and they were 3-2 up, hats off to NP though because we turned the momentum back around slightly towards us at the end, Waghorn and Dany did well and we got the draw we deserved.

Momentum shift

[lou]

from what i can gather it sounds more like the tactical response to his injury was probably more significant than his loss...

Yeah fair comment but either way its worrying

[MC Prussian]

Just gotten back from the game.

Honestly, after Fryatt scored the second, I thought "great, that's it! Finally a team that also goes for a win away from home and that controls the opposition completely".

The second-half display, however, was nothing short of disastrous.

It picked up where they left on Tuesday after the first 30 minutes against Peterborough. It was bad. Horrible. Shambolic. They weren't present. At all. No desire to go forward, no plan, no clue. Same deal as ever, it seems. Or at least, as of recently. We conceded all three goals through the middle. And Brown was, again, hapless. Why Tunchev didn't feature, I can't tell. Pearson seems to have some favourites, no matter how crap they perform. Howard was no different. Created nothing, added nothing going forward (though he had one good header in the second half). King was on the pitch and then again, wasn't. He's not yet made for Championship football. Stepping in Wellens' shoes is a difficult task, and Richie was dearly missed - we lost all sense of football 55 minutes into the game and only recovered just in time. Almost too late.

Thank god for Fryatt, who had two chances and converted them both really well. He gets my top marks today. And N'Guessan's equalizer - a brief moment of genius from Waghorn, cutting in from the left side, long ball - header. In. We were in ruptures, it felt so good. Because a point was the least we deserved from Watford.

Pearson, however, needs to address the defense issue soon. Once known for our superb defensive displays, the centre defense leaves a lot of questions to be answered. And central midfield is a bit of a joke, Wellens and Oakley play too close to one another.

And why Gallagher as a winger again??? Better bring him in for Howard in the next few games, otherwise he'll get wasted on the sides playing like that, having hardly any to no influence on the forward play whatsoever.

We could've won and we threw it away. Gutted. Same old Leicester?

Support was brilliant once again. Away following gets a straight 10.

[Heart-Shaped Fox]

Wellen's getting injured wasn't the catalyst for our collapse it was 2-2 when he went off.

Seems to me the introduction of Helguson was the telling factor and our lack of dealing with the totally obvious bombardment from them.

This.

At 2-2 it was just a matter or time before they got the 3rd and I would have brought Tunchev on to stop the rot.

I swear Helguson always scores against us.

[maddog]

Wellen's getting injured wasn't the catalyst for our collapse it was 2-2 when he went off.

Seems to me the introduction of Helguson was the telling factor and our lack of dealing with the totally obvious bombardment from them.

You've got that wrong i think Davie, According to the BBC the goals were scored on 58 and 60 minutes and Wellens was subbed on 54 minutes.

Helguson was like the Montella of Watford out there

And i'm pretty certain he was lieing on the floor stopped and was subbed before the goals.

[lou]

Wellen's getting injured wasn't the catalyst for our collapse it was 2-2 when he went off.

Seems to me the introduction of Helguson was the telling factor and our lack of dealing with the totally obvious bombardment from them.

I thought they scored theirs after he went off? I could have sworn he wasnt on the pitch but he was hobbling for a bit before he went

[Maybes]

Wellen's getting injured wasn't the catalyst for our collapse it was 2-2 when he went off.

Seems to me the introduction of Helguson was the telling factor and our lack of dealing with the totally obvious bombardment from them.

No it wasn't it was 2-0. Wellens went off in 54th minute.

[lou]

No it wasn't it was 2-0. Wellens went off in 54th minute.

Thought I was going daft! Well more daft than usual

[davieG]

You've got that wrong i think Davie, According to the BBC the goals were scored on 58 and 60 minutes and Wellens was subbed on 54 minutes.

Helguson was like the Montella of Watford out there

And i'm pretty certain he was lieing on the floor stopped and was subbed before the goals.

I thought they scored theirs after he went off? I could have sworn he wasnt on the pitch but he was hobbling for a bit before he went

No it wasn't it was 2-0. Wellens went off in 54th minute.

Tis true I looked at the OS for the sub time and it said 62 - my apologies. Having said that we were still shambolic from the 46th minute, I really don't think Wellen's going off was the big difference.

From the OS:

City: Weale; Neilson, Hobbs, Brown, Berner, Oakley, A King, Wellens, Gallagher, Fryatt, Howard. Subs: Logan, McGivern, Tunchev, Adams (64 for Wellens), N'Guessan (73 for Gallagher), Waghorn (73 for Fryatt), Kermorgant.

I should learn to trust my own memory as bad as it is

[Heart-Shaped Fox]

Just gotten back from the game.

Honestly, after Fryatt scored the second, I thought "great, that's it! Finally a team that also goes for a win away from home and that controls the opposition completely".

The second-half display, however, was nothing short of disastrous.

It picked up where they left on Tuesday after the first 30 minutes against Peterborough. It was bad. Horrible. Shambolic. They weren't present. At all. No desire to go forward, no plan, no clue. Same deal as ever, it seems. Or at least, as of recently. We conceded all three goals through the middle. And Brown was, again, hapless. Why Tunchev didn't feature, I can't tell. Pearson seems to have some favourites, no matter how crap they perform. Howard was no different. Created nothing, added nothing going forward (though he had one good header in the second half). King was on the pitch and then again, wasn't. He's not yet made for Championship football. Stepping in Wellens' shoes is a difficult task, and Richie was dearly missed - we lost all sense of football 55 minutes into the game and only recovered just in time. Almost too late.

Thank god for Fryatt, who had two chances and converted them both really well. He gets my top marks today. And N'Guessan's equalizer - a brief moment of genius from Waghorn, cutting in from the left side, long ball - header. In. We were in ruptures, it felt so good. Because a point was the least we deserved from Watford.

Pearson, however, needs to address the defense issue soon. Once known for our superb defensive displays, the centre defense leaves a lot of questions to be answered. And central midfield is a bit of a joke, Wellens and Oakley play too close to one another.

And why Gallagher as a winger again??? Better bring him in for Howard in the next few games, otherwise he'll get wasted on the sides playing like that, having hardly any to no influence on the forward play whatsoever.

We could've won and we threw it away. Gutted. Same old Leicester?

Support was brilliant once again. Away following gets a straight 10.

I agree Tunchev should have played or at least brought on. I am starting to think we have seen the best of Howard too, I know he had a good game at Newcastle but recently he hasnt done enough for me. Its like he knows he is too importnat to be dropped and the same for Brown.

Howard needs a goal and maybe things will improve, but Brown can look good one minute then he struggles.

[lildave3]

Wellen's getting injured wasn't the catalyst for our collapse it was 2-2 when he went off.

I'm pretty sure it wasn't. Anyway, he was injured for 5 minutes before he even went off.

[davieG]

I'm pretty sure it wasn't. Anyway, he was injured for 5 minutes before he even went off.

Yeh I got it wrong but i remember saying from about the 47th minute we were getting over run and weren't prepared for the obvious fight back

[lildave3]

Yeh I got it wrong but i remember saying from about the 47th minute we were getting over run and weren't prepared for the obvious fight back

Tbf, they came out for the 2nd half up for it, their fans started getting behind them and we panicked. Just didn't get our foot on the ball and it cost us.

[maddog]

Yeh I got it wrong but i remember saying from about the 47th minute we were getting over run and weren't prepared for the obvious fight back

You could just see Watford were going to come back and even take the lead right from the start of the 2nd half.

They were frankly all over us, we just needed to calm down and keep the ball for a bit, and it was a real shame we couldn't because we would have taken the points.

But in the end being level on points with Watford is better than being 3 points behind them.

It would have been nice to take them all after the draw Tuesday, but if we can beat Preston next week il forgive them.

[davieG]

Tbf, they came out for the 2nd half up for it, their fans started getting behind them and we panicked. Just didn't get our foot on the ball and it cost us.

We were pretty unprofessional and naive in not expecting that from a team with their current record

[maddog]

I think the players probably relaxed at half time thinking the job was done, then ended up shell shocked and panicked at the Watford attacking storm.

[Bert]

One of the best moments of the day was the bloke in the chip shop. When Tommeh went up to the counter, the bloke serving looked at Tom's hair and said, "What's happened there?"

[Tilley]

Should have been three points winning 2-0 at half time, to come away with a point from that position isn't acceptable.