Watford Player Ratings

[Bert]

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.

His runs were good. I'll give you that.

His passing. Shit. His ball retention and ability to keep possession. Shit. His final product. Shit. His priority is to defend and he was caught out of position too many times today. The big difference between Neilson and Gilbert, is Gilbert had the pace to get back and generally did.

Neilson struggles which leaves a wide area exposed, and it means Hobbs has to come over and cover, which leaves gaps all over the place for opposing midfielders to run into.

[MC Prussian]

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.

Neilson had a good game today and even had to act as a right-wing at times, storming forward and swinging in high balls into the box, at which he did a solid job. As always. A six is deserved, didn't come up with too many mistakes and I don't think the left-back or right-back are our problem zones.

[Bert]

The lets slate Robbie Neilson thread continues.

The guy needs time to settle.

I could understand if you meant Gallagher.

Neilson's had about the same time as Wellens and Weale and they've both done fine.

[TrickyTrev]

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.

The formation is set up that he and Berner get a lot of ball. It is what he does with it that counts. Generally that consists of chipping it our for a throw in or a goal kick. When he is more adventurous he chips in aimless crosses which present no danger to the opposition. Contrast this to what Berner has been doing with the same amount of ball and you see Nielson's limitations.

[Salieri]

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

You slated Howard last season big time before seeing the error of your ways. I take it your now prepared to go on record saying that you've (among others admittedly) got it monumentally wrong about Fryatts impact this season?

[Budweiser]

I could understand if you meant Gallagher.

Neilson's had about the same time as Wellens and Weale and they've both done fine.

But neither spent 13 years at the same club. Plus the fact they have both played at Championship level.

Let him adjust to the standard and before January he will be a valuable asset to the squad.

[Bert]

But neither spent 13 years at the same club. Plus the fact they have both played at Championship level.

Let him adjust to the standard and before January he will be a valuable asset to the squad.

Well that's a fair point. But the thing is, we need him to be a valuable asset to the squad right now, especially in defence where mistakes prove costly.

[TrickyTrev]

Neilson had a good game today and even had to act as a right-wing at times, storming forward and swinging in high balls into the box, at which he did a solid job. As always. A six is deserved, didn't come up with too many mistakes and I don't think the left-back or right-back are our problem zones.

I think people under estimate the importance of full backs on attacking play. They generally have more opportunities to run with the ball and deliver crosses than any other players on the pitch. What is more they are the ones that take the ball from defense and into the attack, if they can't dribble or pass this is more often than not a chipped ball down the line or a long ball to a target man, which is what you see with Nielson.

To the people that say he needs time to settle. I don't think he is playing badly. I think he is doing everything that is being asked of him and we shouldn't demand any more from the lad. But that is only because it is patently clear that he is a limited player. It's not like he is a talent trying to find his role in the side ala Gallagher or N'Guessen.

[Thracian]

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.

Oakley was subdued throughout and Wellens didn't finish the last third of the match. King's influence was everywhere to be seen in the first half, which was our best so far this season, and towards the end when we started to regain at lest some of our composure thanks to having some extra energy on the field. Apart from two untidy moments in quick succession, King was one of the few 90 minute players to retain his composure and discipline almost throughout. His late blocks (one on Ellington) only emphasised his involvement all over the field.

[Budweiser]

Well that's a fair point. But the thing is, we need him to be a valuable asset to the squad right now, especially in defence where mistakes prove costly.

I think a more all round player in Tunchev instead of Brown will give the whole defence a boost. Hopefully Neilson

That's just wishful thinking and quite a bizarre thought.

I take your point though.

[Bert]

Oakley was subdued throughout and Wellens didn't finish the last third of the match. King's influence was everywhere to be seen in the first half, which was our best so far this season, and towards the end when we started to regain at lest some of our composure thanks to having some extra energy on the field. Apart from two untidy moments in quick succession, King was one of the few 90 minute players to retain his composure and discipline almost throughout. His late blocks (one on Ellington) only emphasised his involvement all over the field.

You must watch the game blinkered every week. Where had a better game today, he wasn't at his best. If King had've gone off instead of Wellens, you'd still have rated King higher.

I think a more all round player in Tunchev instead of Brown will give the whole defence a boost. Hopefully Neilson

That's just wishful thinking and quite a bizarre thought.

I take your point though.

Yeah, I think the plan was always to slowly get Tunch back into things. Tuesday shown he's ready and the other reason he couldn't get back in, was because Brown was playing well.

[maddog]

You slated Howard last season big time before seeing the error of your ways. I take it your now prepared to go on record saying that you've (among others admittedly) got it monumentally wrong about Fryatts impact this season?

Yes but now Howard is the one frustrating me and perhaps at this level, the hoofball to Howard just doesn't work against these defences.

But i'm still cautious, Fryatt could go 5, 10, 15 games without a goal, if he ends up on one of his baron runs.

If he does, we will struggle to get many points thats for sure, he saved us last season, and he's bagging us our points now with goals.

Howard just doesn't look like scoring, had one glimmer of hope today with a turn and a well hit shot in the 1st half that could have gone in, but apart from that fluffed 2 headers, repeatedly gave away fouls, is he too old for and past it for this level now he has yet to convince me otherwise.

It was slick passing along the floor that got us our second goal, slick passing that saw us destroy Preston for 20 minutes, and slick passing ALONG THE FLOOR MAINLY that saw us tear Sheffield United apart.

Id like to see Gallagher play with Fryatt up front at some point definitely.

[Salieri]

Yes but now Howard is the one frustrating me and perhaps at this level, the hoofball to Howard just doesn't work against these defences.

But i'm still cautious, Fryatt could go 5, 10, 15 games without a goal, if he ends up on one of his baron runs.

If he does, we will struggle to get many points thats for sure, he saved us last season, and he's bagging us our points now with goals.

Howard just doesn't look like scoring, had one glimmer of hope today with a turn and a well hit shot in the 1st half that could have gone in, but apart from that fluffed 2 headers, repeatedly gave away fouls, is he too old for and past it for this level now he has yet to convince me otherwise.

It was slick passing along the floor that got us our second goal, slick passing that saw us destroy Preston for 20 minutes, and slick passing ALONG THE FLOOR MAINLY that saw us tear Sheffield United apart.

Id like to see Gallagher play with Fryatt up front at some point definitely.

A simple "yes" that you'd got it wrong about Fryatt would have sufficed.

[Budweiser]

Yes but now Howard is the one frustrating me and perhaps at this level, the hoofball to Howard just doesn't work against these defences.

But i'm still cautious, Fryatt could go 5, 10, 15 games without a goal, if he ends up on one of his baron runs.

If he does, we will struggle to get many points thats for sure, he saved us last season, and he's bagging us our points now with goals.

Howard just doesn't look like scoring, had one glimmer of hope today with a turn and a well hit shot in the 1st half that could have gone in, but apart from that fluffed 2 headers, repeatedly gave away fouls, is he too old for and past it for this level now he has yet to convince me otherwise.

It was slick passing along the floor that got us our second goal, slick passing that saw us destroy Preston for 20 minutes, and slick passing ALONG THE FLOOR MAINLY that saw us tear Sheffield United apart.

Id like to see Gallagher play with Fryatt up front at some point definitely.

We need Howard. End of. He is the outlet ball for us and no-one can hold the ball up as well as him, let alone his headers.

I wouldn't mind seeing Dany up top instead but we are only 8 game in. If a player has had a slow start to the season so what? Atleast give it until we've played 15 games, and if Howard still hasn't scored a couple of goals, then I MIGHT change it.

[Salieri]

We need Howard. End of. He is the outlet ball for us and no-one can hold the ball up as well as him, let alone his headers.

I wouldn't mind seeing Dany up top instead but we are only 8 game in. If a player has had a slow start to the season so what? Atleast give it until we've played 15 games, and if Howard still hasn't scored a couple of goals, then I MIGHT change it.

Howards strengths are holding the ball up, winning headers, and ultimatley his assists rather than goals scored. I've always likened him to Heskey in the sense that he does a hell of alot of the (largely unnoticed) work that culminates in the end product. It would be nice if he got on the scoresheet more often, i happen to think he is pretty unlucky on that count.

I just wish we had a genuine alternative to him, i was hoping the Kermorgant could provide that but he hasn't had the opportunity to impress as yet...

[DJ Barry Hammond]

I know this is the ratings thread, but I sense it went off topic before me.

Think a few people need to get a reality check here, we are still a newly promoted side, finding our feet and we have a decent haul of points so far.

Some people on here are starting to get greedy, wanting Cafu at right back, Torres up front with Fryatt and a 5-0 away win alla West Brom. We seem to have a well rounded squad, with some bright young players and results like today will only make them better.

Lets face it, former leicester sides would not have regained a point following the previous events in todays game so that is a very encourging sign.

[Ultra]

Weale - 6

Neilson - 6

Brown - 5

Hobbs - 5

Berner - 6

Oakley - 5

King - 5

Wellens - 7

Gallagher - 6

Howard - 5

Fryatt - 8*

Adams - 5

Waghorn - 7

N'Guessan - 7

[Ultra]

I know this is the ratings thread, but I sense it went off topic before me.

Think a few people need to get a reality check here, we are still a newly promoted side, finding our feet and we have a decent haul of points so far.

Some people on here are starting to get greedy, wanting Cafu at right back, Torres up front with Fryatt and a 5-0 away win alla West Brom. We seem to have a well rounded squad, with some bright young players and results like today will only make them better.

Lets face it, former leicester sides would not have regained a point following the previous events in todays game so that is a very encourging sign.

Some former Leicester sides would have strolled through that game. O'Neill, Adams and even Levein managed wins at Vicarage Road.

The decent haul of points may have something to do with the fact that, Sheff Utd and Newcastle apart, we haven't played any team of real quality yet in this division.

[TrickyTrev]

Howards strengths are holding the ball up, winning headers, and ultimatley his assists rather than goals scored. I've always likened him to Heskey in the sense that he does a hell of alot of the (largely unnoticed) work that culminates in the end product. It would be nice if he got on the scoresheet more often, i happen to think he is pretty unlucky on that count.

I just wish we had a genuine alternative to him, i was hoping the Kermorgant could provide that but he hasn't had the opportunity to impress as yet...

Howard's strength are flicking the ball on. End of. He doesn't have the skill or mobility to hold the ball up like a Heskey or dare I say it an N'Guessen.

[Corky]

Weale- 6

Neilson- 6

Hobbs- 6

Brown- 5

Berner- 7

Oakley- 6.5

Wellens- 7

King- 6

Gallagher- 5

Fryatt- 8

Howard- 6

Adams- 5.5

Waghorn- 6.5

N'Guessan- 7

[MC Prussian]

I don't see Howard really being in shape to play every single game for 90 minutes. He's worn out, the hoof-ball principle doesn't really work in this league. He's also gotten slower and I can't really see him score more than five goals this season this way. Fryatt needs a fresh partner up front and some support from central midfield.

[Salieri]

Some former Leicester sides would have strolled through that game. O'Neill, Adams and even Levein managed wins at Vicarage Road.The decent haul of points may have something to do with the fact that, Sheff Utd and Newcastle apart, we haven't played any team of real quality yet in this division.

How on earth can you compare previous results at Vicarage Road to now?

There has been vast changes in the respective clubs fortunes/personnel since those times.

[Bert]

How on earth can you compare previous results at Vicarage Road to now?

There has been vast changes in the respective clubs fortunes/personnel since those times.

This is Ultra you're talking about.

[Joe.]

Weale 6 - No chance with any of the goals unfortunately.

Neilson 6 - I thought he did fine again. He can't cross for shit, but his defending is good enough for my liking. Still gets too much unfair criticism.

Brown 5 - I don't know what happened, whether it was his or Hobbs' fault, but the centre backs have to take most of the stick for what happened in the second half.

Hobbs 5 - Again, see Brown.

Berner 6 - A brilliant first half, followed by a more than suspect second. I'm sure at least two (maybe all three) goals came from his side, it was just too easy.

Oakley 5.5 - Didn't get into the game on the right at all. No idea why he stayed there after Adams came on, bizarre decision from Pearson there.

King 5.5 - Anonymous for the majority of the game. I thought he, like most of the team, was decent enough in the first half. Not a huge fan of him playing in a defensive midfield role, his strengths lie further forward without a doubt for me.

Wellens 6 - I'm praying he's not out for long. Midfield completely dominated after his departure, very worrying.

Gallagher 6 - Set up Fryatt's goal beautifully, but there's no way he should be playing left wing for us. Either play him behind the front two, as part of the front two or not at all for me. His talents are wasted out there.

Howard 7 - Did well alongside Fryatt I thought. Unlucky not to score first half but should have done better with one particular header at 2-0 up. Won most of what went his way, and generally showed some nice touches.

Fryatt 9 - Again, weighs in with another couple. Delighted with the way he's started the season, but we really need somebody else to take the burden off his shoulders. A brilliantly taken second goal.

Subs:

Adams 6 - Struggled in the middle, looked more comfortable on the left.

Waghorn 7 - Did extremely well to deliver the cross for N'Guessan to head home from.

N'Guessan 7 - Definitely had an impact, seems to be a useful player to have off the bench. Grabbed the equaliser from an awkward header.

[suffolk fox]

Some former Leicester sides would have strolled through that game. O'Neill, Adams and even Levein managed wins at Vicarage Road.

The decent haul of points may have something to do with the fact that, Sheff Utd and Newcastle apart, we haven't played any team of real quality yet in this division.

PLEEEEASE :laugh: :laugh: What a load of crap! It's the Championship not the 1st Division - It's a massive step up between all leagues - Swansea, Watford, Ipswich all Championship quality established sides and I would include Blackpool in that too!! Oh by the way Blackpool are not a bad side look at the latest league table.

As has been said some people need a reality check. We would have lost that game even last season, Brighton away anyone????? A point away from home is good and I would have taken that before the game.

If we finish in the top ten this season it will have been a bloody good season!