Watford Post Match

[Bert]

Wellens is a massive player for us and a big influence on the team, losing him was a massive blow. Each team has their standout players and seem to struggle without them, we're no different.

[MC Prussian]

Well we might have found it difficult play without him but I can't see that conceding 3 goals like that was the result of his absence.

I get the feeling others might disagree though.

If I remember correctly, Watford had a big chance just after the second half had kicked off. We recovered well from that and went forward with force and as a unit up until Wellens' injury. Looks like there's no one to replace him, not only in position, but also in regards to team influence, stability, security and control.

King? Simply not there yet.

Adams - a guy I see on the wing?

Oakley - a guy who's better off as an attacking midfielder? Maybe, but it's not his preferred role.

Clemence?

[Basingstoke Fox]

Wellens is a massive player for us and a big influence on the team, losing him was a massive blow. Each team has their standout players and seem to struggle without them, we're no different.

That was Howard last season and alot of people seem to moan about him now.

There was someone behind me CONSTANTLY moaning when Waghorn and N'Guessen came on. I found it brilliant that Waghorn assisted N'Guessen for the final goal :laugh:

[Salieri]

I'm sure a couple of the defenders would have had been politely advised of what NP thought of our second half performance. It's Tunch time.

Can't argue with that. Pearson is clearly big on showing faith in players, BUT, he must realise its high time for the return of the Tunch. For Brown obviously. Brown has been heroic at times but he's in need of a "rest" methinks.

[C-man]

Could see that second half coming from the moment they kicked off and sent a cross/shot across our 6-yard box. Still, can't moan for entertainment value - Fryatt's second and the equalizer were wonderful.

Let's hope that Wellens is fit for Saturday else we could struggle against Preston.

[RowlattsFox]

I want Tunch to come back in as much as anybody, but I think he could struggle against Prestons powerful forward line, when he did have slight problems last year it was against big men. I would probably still play Tunchev because we need his calmness and distribution but we could do with Browns aerial ability. Difficult one for Pearson to decide.

[Budweiser]

Can't argue with that. Pearson is clearly big on showing faith in players, BUT, he must realise its high time for the return of the Tunch. For Brown obviously. Brown has been heroic at times but he's in need of a "rest" methinks.

Spot on. Pearson obviously doesn't drop anyone when they play well (quite rightly). Unfortunately for Brown, a couple of dodgy games as the Tunch is coming back doesn't aid him. Tunchev is our best player imo and brings calm to the defence. If he played today you could guarantee we wouldn't have let in 3 (saying that the whole team crumbled).

[TrickyTrev]

I know we had chances but we looked vulnerable at the back from the off.

They were throwing the kitchen sink and both full backs at us, completely going for broke, when a team does that there is going to be defending to do. However, any team worth their salt would have responded with a goal on the break, they were wide open, which we nearly did twice right at the beginning of the half. In fact if Howard wasn't so useless we would have done and it would have been game over. However, once Wellens got injured, and it took us too long to get him off, we lost all our shape and started panicking at the back. We couldn't get hold of the ball and were giving away throw in after throw in, allowing them to throw men forward without fear of reppriassal.

Watford went for broke and we should have put the game to bed, but a few things cost us. Wellens injury cost us today. But so did our tactical response to it. So did Steve Howard by missing two sitters. So did our defense launching the ball into the stands when they had time to make a measured clearance. So did Nielson's lack of athleticism at the far post.

What is sure is that we blew 3 points.

[Salieri]

I just think that for the first time in a long time, we have a very good SQUAD, therefore we should use it. So if a persons form dips (i.e Brown) he should be replaced. That sends the message out that a) if you're in the team but not performing, you lose your place, and b) if your not currently in the first team, you will get your chance eventually.

I think Howard needs to be looking over his shoulder. I realise he does so much more other than score goals (if he didnt, he wouldnt be in the team, lets face it!), but he needs genuine competition for his place. I'm assuming that comes in the form of Kermorgant? Fryatt has a few potential takers for his place, and i reckon that keeps him on his toes. Howard needs the same pressure to be applied to him.

[lou]

Pearsons view.............

http://www.lcfc.com/page/LatestNews/0,,10274~1802442,00.html

[Bluenotsad]

I just think that for the first time in a long time, we have a very good SQUAD, therefore we should use it. So if a persons form dips (i.e Brown) he should be replaced. That sends the message out that a) if you're in the team but not performing, you lose your place, and b) if your not currently in the first team, you will get your chance eventually.

I think Howard needs to be looking over his shoulder. I realise he does so much more other than score goals (if he didnt, he wouldnt be in the team, lets face it!), but he needs genuine competition for his place. I'm assuming that comes in the form of Kermorgant? Fryatt has a few potential takers for his place, and i reckon that keeps him on his toes. Howard needs the same pressure to be applied to him.

Just got back to Norfolk - great match, fantastic atmosphere with the City fans. We should be pleased with the amount of noise we made - place would have been like a graveyard otherwise! Well done lads - just continue playing like you did in the first half!

[Heart-Shaped Fox]

I just think that for the first time in a long time, we have a very good SQUAD, therefore we should use it. So if a persons form dips (i.e Brown) he should be replaced. That sends the message out that a) if you're in the team but not performing, you lose your place, and b) if your not currently in the first team, you will get your chance eventually.

I think Howard needs to be looking over his shoulder. I realise he does so much more other than score goals (if he didnt, he wouldnt be in the team, lets face it!), but he needs genuine competition for his place. I'm assuming that comes in the form of Kermorgant? Fryatt has a few potential takers for his place, and i reckon that keeps him on his toes. Howard needs the same pressure to be applied to him.

Spot on. Would like to see Tunchev against Preston and if Howard is not playing particualry well give someone else a go like Gallagher or Kermorgant.

Brown's form has dipped the last couple of matches, and Tunchev and Morrison must be pushing for a start. But I'm sure Pearson will get it right come Saturday.

[Cropwellfox]

Watford went for broke and we should have put the game to bed, but a few things cost us. Wellens injury cost us today. But so did our tactical response to it. So did Steve Howard by missing two sitters. So did our defense launching the ball into the stands when they had time to make a measured clearance. So did Nielson's lack of athleticism at the far post.

What is sure is that we blew 3 points.

NP's quotes included that a few things irritated him today. I bet the above (Wellens injury aside) includes all of them. Will now be interesting to see if he acts on his mantra about the whole squad being important, and makes changes to personnel for next Saturday, or if some of the players (Howard, Brown, Neilson in particular) have already had spots reserved on the team-sheet. I have a lot of time for Howard, but even in the role he plays, 0 goals in 8 games, and his mised chances today should see his place in the side taken.

[Thracian]

Spot on. Would like to see Tunchev against Preston and if Howard is not playing particualry well give someone else a go like Gallagher or Kermorgant.

Brown's form has dipped the last couple of matches, and Tunchev and Morrison must be pushing for a start. But I'm sure Pearson will get it right come Saturday.

Neither Brown nor Hobbs are totally convincing to me but we badly need the class, the intelligence, the passing, the organisational ability and the calming influence of Tunchev back in the side.

[Corky]

My feeling at full time was frustration, given our first half display. The team, to their credit, did show some character and determination to get the equaliser near the end.

We didn't start in the second half, the warning signs were there when Watford nearly scored ten seconds in. As soon as they got one back, the equaliser was inevitable. I felt Wellens was missed, because our midfield was dominated by theirs.

Fryatt's second goal was superb, fabulous move and excellently finished off. N'Guessan's goal was also well-made and finished, Waghorn sent over a beauty of a cross and the header was directed perfectly.

Felt King had a solid first half, but went missing slightly after the break, and Gallagher showed some decent touches whilst still out of position.

Our fans were good, both in numbers and noise level. The Watford fans only woke up at half-time, it might have just been me but I didn't hear them sing once in the first 45 minutes.

Entertaining game, decent day out, could've been even better.

[Super_horns]

Our fans were good, both in numbers and noise level. The Watford fans only woke up at half-time, it might have just been me but I didn't hear them sing once in the first 45 minutes.

.

We are hardly good at creating much of an atmosphere when winning..let alone being outplayed and rightly 2 goals down at the break.

Bringing an old favourite like Helguson certainly motivated the crowd (and players it seems) and he caused a lot problems with Graham up front whereas your defenders easily delt with Graham in the 1st half in the air.

Value for money I guess and we will all feel some sort of disappointment (much like you we've done well so far but lost points late on).

Was Fryatt injured because he was causing problems for us all game?

Your crossing was decent as proven by the 3rd goal.

Decent support as well.

Good luck for the season.

[Bert]

We are hardly good at creating much of an atmosphere when winning..let alone being outplayed and rightly 2 goals down at the break.

Bringing an old favourite like Helguson certainly motivated the crowd (and players it seems) and he caused a lot problems with Graham up front whereas your defenders easily delt with Graham in the 1st half in the air.

Value for money I guess and we will all feel some sort of disappointment (much like you we've done well so far but lost points late on).

Was Fryatt injured because he was causing problems for us all game?

Your crossing was decent as proven by the 3rd goal.

Decent support as well.

Good luck for the season.

Good luck to you, too.

Fryatt was brought on to give Waghorn some time on the pitch I believe, and in the end it paid off. Make sure you look after Tom Cleverley, a cracking player and we'd (well, me for sure) have him back in a flash.

[Salieri]

Good luck to you, too.

Fryatt was brought on to give Waghorn some time on the pitch I believe, and in the end it paid off. Make sure you look after Tom Cleverley, a cracking player and we'd (well, me for sure) have him back in a flash.

Definitely. Was gutted we didnt resign him on loan. I remember you saying Fergie didnt like to loan a player twice to the same club to avoid familuarlity with said club. Is that the reason why we cudnt have him back, or didnt we try? Maybe u dont know, i'm just fishing!

[Bert]

Definitely. Was gutted we didnt resign him on loan. I remember you saying Fergie didnt like to loan a player twice to the same club to avoid familuarlity with said club. Is that the reason why we cudnt have him back, or didnt we try? Maybe u dont know, i'm just fishing!

Whether we tried or not, it wasn't going to happen with Fergie's rule, which is a shame. He clearly enjoyed his time here, and was graceful enough to clap us today. Gave Pearson a hug at the end of the game too.

[Ultra]

Definitely a case of two points lost rather than one gained.

Watford have horrendous off-field issues which force them to play lots of kids and loanees. There's no way they'll finish the season in the top half.

At half-time the game was as good as won, but when Helguson came on, Brown and Hobbs were put under pressure and couldn't cope with it. Time for Tunchev to start from now on.

Many in the crowd were perplexed when Fryatt was taken off, but Pearson struck lucky with that decision in the end.

It was clear that Wellens was once again the lynchpin of the midfield, and his departure hurt us badly. Oakley did his usual second-half disappearing act, King looked off the pace, and Gallagher has yet to find the same wavelength as the rest of the team.

Just as well that, despite our second poor result of the week, we remain outside the top six only on goal difference.

[Super_horns]

Malky Mackay is good friends with Sir Alex from the scottish connection and we've had a couple of Man U loan players who have done well (Ben Foster for example) so that helped us get Tom C who has done very well for us and the 22 in defence (Cathcart is a Man U lad too)

Hopefully we can keep him all season (looks better than Henri Lansbury...guy we took off at half time)

[Salieri]

Whether we tried or not, it wasn't going to happen with Fergie's rule, which is a shame. He clearly enjoyed his time here, and was graceful enough to clap us today. Gave Pearson a hug at the end of the game too.

He was a breath of fresh air last year. Despite coming from Man Utd he arrived without a trace of a chip on his shoulder and worked as hard as anybody at the club. He also (after his injury) seemed to display a continued affection towards our club which i thought was particularly refreshing.

I for one will be following his career with interest. Good luck to the lad.

[Bert]

Cathcart looked shit.

[Simi]

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.

Fair enough assesment from me.

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.

What?

It was apparently clear to everyone in the ground that it was Wellens going off that changed the game. I've seen your post after this but it's not true that we were completely dreadful from the 46th minute onwards.

Wellens calming influence on the ball really did help us out in the first half and we missed it when we went off.

People really seem to be forgetting the performance in the first half. We played a very respectable side at home in thia league off the park, without question. They were nowehere. We were far superior to them.

Our passing was a delight to watch. Some of the miserable people on this forum may have long forgotten that second goal. If you have, I feel for you. What a goal it was. One touch football and an abolsutely clinical finish from Fryatt.

Obviously the home team came gunning for us in the second half, what team wouldn't? Losing Wellens made a massive difference and it did shake us up. I won't argue that Pearson perhaps got it wrong, but the lashing we are taking at the moment just defies beleif after the first half performance.

Gutted to not take all three points, but thrilled we didn't lose the game in the end after the collapse.

[Corky]

We are hardly good at creating much of an atmosphere when winning..let alone being outplayed and rightly 2 goals down at the break.

Bringing an old favourite like Helguson certainly motivated the crowd (and players it seems) and he caused a lot problems with Graham up front whereas your defenders easily delt with Graham in the 1st half in the air.

Value for money I guess and we will all feel some sort of disappointment (much like you we've done well so far but lost points late on).

Was Fryatt injured because he was causing problems for us all game?

Your crossing was decent as proven by the 3rd goal.

Decent support as well.

Good luck for the season.

Yes, to you too

As for your fans, you sounded quite loud when you did make some noise, so that's why I was surprised you didn't make more really.

And like others have said, pleased to see Cleverley get a good ovation from our fans.