| Watford Reflection 15:27 - Jan 1 with 3100 views | bluenwhite10 |
A dogged team performance and defended really really well and in numbers something that was missing at the start of the season.
Some really good performances today across the team but some real standouts today in Ashby, Smyth, Varanne but one player really stood up today and that was Jimmy Dunne as my MOM.
We scored goals at important times which really really helped us out.
Really good clever substitute today showing a bit of strength in depth.
Happy start to 25 come on you R’s |  | | |  |
| Watford Reflection on 16:46 - Jan 1 with 2853 views | Benny_the_Ball |
So good you said it twice!
Smyth shades it for me today but hard to argue against Dunne who has been a bedrock of the revival. |  | | |
| Watford Reflection on 17:28 - Jan 1 with 2700 views | Juzzie |
Really enjoyed that as did my kids. Finally seeing their beaming faces after so many abject defeats.
Smyth deserved MOM though Dunne a knat’s cock behind.
Sat at the front of the lower school end (in the highlights you can see us behind the goal by virtue of my daughters bright pink goalie top) and one thing you really sense is just how fast and brutal everything is. You just don’t get that on tv.
I thought Watford were useful, especially their #34 (was that Baah?) but the difference is we took our chances with aplomb, they didn’t. You can have all the possession, shots, corners etc but counts for nothing if you don’t score.
Not sure what to make of the ref, both sets of fans singing “you don’t know what you’re doing” at various points in the game.
Happy New Year to you all |  | | |
| Watford Reflection on 17:54 - Jan 1 with 2545 views | gazza1 |
The best 90 minutes of football we have played all season......from front to back. Some very good stuff out there today, well done to them all. |  | | |
| Watford Reflection on 18:02 - Jan 1 with 2500 views | slmrstid |
Bit of a funny game in some respects, I thought we were excellent and there were some superb individual performances but I also thought Watford probably won the physical battle in the middle of the park.
But...defensively they were atrocious whilst we were really dogged and that I think is what made the difference today.
Really pleased Smyth got his assist so soon after losing the ball for their goal. He had his shirt over his head after that one and looked gutted, but to be fair we didn't close the #8 down (who I thought was really good for them) enough who then played the ball through to Baah.
Very happy Hoop! |  | | |
| Watford Reflection on 18:25 - Jan 1 with 2388 views | Andybrat |
| Watford Reflection on 18:02 - Jan 1 by slmrstid |
Bit of a funny game in some respects, I thought we were excellent and there were some superb individual performances but I also thought Watford probably won the physical battle in the middle of the park.
But...defensively they were atrocious whilst we were really dogged and that I think is what made the difference today.
Really pleased Smyth got his assist so soon after losing the ball for their goal. He had his shirt over his head after that one and looked gutted, but to be fair we didn't close the #8 down (who I thought was really good for them) enough who then played the ball through to Baah.
Very happy Hoop! |
Whoever signed Kieran Morgan deserves a medal,
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| Watford Reflection on 18:32 - Jan 1 with 2343 views | numptydumpty |
| Watford Reflection on 18:25 - Jan 1 by Andybrat |
Whoever signed Kieran Morgan deserves a medal,
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18 years old.
The guys a legend already.
And with Varane performing extremely well also, so impressed with the midfield and our ever ready Field there also putting in stamina sapping displays, the midfield three looks very strong. [Post edited 1 Jan 18:35]
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| Watford Reflection on 18:52 - Jan 1 with 2238 views | Benny_the_Ball |
I've been saying for eons that the midfield is the key weak point of the team. It was non existent earlier in the season. It's improved markedly since and the emergence of Morgan has been pivotal to that. I'm still not quite as enamoured with Varane as some. Whilst he has improved (albeit from a very poor start), his strengths are limited to defensive skills. Technical improvements needed with touch, close control, forward passing and, in particular, shooting if he's to become a big player going forward. | | | |
| Watford Reflection on 19:00 - Jan 1 with 2200 views | stevenagehoop |
| Watford Reflection on 18:52 - Jan 1 by Benny_the_Ball |
I've been saying for eons that the midfield is the key weak point of the team. It was non existent earlier in the season. It's improved markedly since and the emergence of Morgan has been pivotal to that. I'm still not quite as enamoured with Varane as some. Whilst he has improved (albeit from a very poor start), his strengths are limited to defensive skills. Technical improvements needed with touch, close control, forward passing and, in particular, shooting if he's to become a big player going forward. |
Thought he done well enough today. Watford are a physical side and I thought he stood his ground, Won the ball a number of times and found someone in a hopped shirt. Alongside Field they held their own. |  |
| I never lie but I don't always tell the truth |
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| Watford Reflection on 19:17 - Jan 1 with 2109 views | Benny_the_Ball |
| Watford Reflection on 19:00 - Jan 1 by stevenagehoop |
Thought he done well enough today. Watford are a physical side and I thought he stood his ground, Won the ball a number of times and found someone in a hopped shirt. Alongside Field they held their own. |
Yeah, I think "held their own" is an apt description of our midfield and, indeed, season to date. Whilst I'm pleased with recent improvements, to go to the next level I still think we need more midfielders who can dictate proceedings in the middle of the park.
On a side note, it was pleasing to see Colback back in action, albeit in injury time. Hopefully he can get up to speed quickly and start contributing. We're going to need Jack especially if Field continues to pick up yellow cards at his current rate. [Post edited 1 Jan 19:22]
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| Watford Reflection on 19:39 - Jan 1 with 2006 views | YokelR |
I'd take that ref every week. Generally liked that he let things go a bit and didn't buy placy acting by either side Dunne clutching his face for us and their keeper faking being knocked out by Smyth.
Spot on on the corners including their disallowed goal. | | | |
| Watford Reflection on 19:41 - Jan 1 with 1992 views | robith |
Usually letting one back against the run of play from an error would see us fold.
Us restoring the gap almost immediately with the player who made the error staying calm and getting the assist? Immensely satisfying |  | | |
| Watford Reflection on 19:48 - Jan 1 with 1939 views | LazyFan |
Watford made a major tactical error today and did not fix it during the game and were punished for it. They only put one player on Smyth. That was really stupid with his pace.
Smyth became an instant outlet for us everytime, allowing us to get the ball out of the press and up the pitch for attacks time and again. If they had put two on him, that would have left Field free, who only scores if someone else beats their man for him as Smyth did.
Watford only scored themselves as Smyth made a mistake and then Barrs shot was deflected off Paals knee, otherwise it was going wide. That was really lucky for them.
Whereas we double up on either flank against their wingers, which was needed as they are super fast players like Smyth. Big mistake that by Watford, expect in the next game for Smyth to be doubled up against. No Champ team will make that mistake again, which means for the next game Morgan needs to be the free man if we can work it that way.
Watford also showed their defence is not Champ standard as they could not handle little QPR attacks.
Marti out thought the Watford manager today. First goal was clearly a move from the training pitch, the constant play inside from the fullbacks to the middle for them to play Smyth in beat the press and was also clearly from the training pitch again. We have been improving that for a while but today we perfected it. Doubling up on the wingers, we have been doing great at for ages and it continued again.
Smyth looked the best player as Watford played into our hands with only putting one player on him. But I thought Dunne was the best player. That spin for the goal brought back memories of how Macca did that back in the day from corners to lose his marker. Worked for Macca and also worked for Dunne. Also Dunne was not done for pace and mashlled the back line well. Dominating performance against a pacy forward line.
BTW: Their keeper was prwoper dreck! |  |
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| Watford Reflection on 20:06 - Jan 1 with 1844 views | Doudou87 |
A lot to be happy with today, early transfer window signing, not seen the kid play but on paper sounds like a good fit.Watfords team lacks cohesion but they do have some very strong, athletic players with pace which we matched.
Glad Morgan has got a mention, so much potential, the best pressing player on the pitch. For someone so young he displays great strength and will no doubt fill out over the next 2/3 years. Said it before a bit Bale esq. always remember those slightly goofy pictures of a young Bale then watch him grow into a titan. I was watching Morgan a lot off the ball and his engagement with the Watford players. Wasn’t afraid to go one on one with some of the bigger lads. Has a certain demeanour about him, confident but not arrogant . An absolute pleasure to watch him development with us and to think we got him on a free!
Lastly, interesting to see Chair back the team has evolved since he was injured and looks as though he’s not holding the ball up anymore with the rest of the squad relying on him for creativity. In the nicest way possible he doesn’t stand out as our best player because we’ve become a team. | |
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| Watford Reflection on 07:28 - Jan 2 with 1401 views | dmm |
| Watford Reflection on 18:52 - Jan 1 by Benny_the_Ball |
I've been saying for eons that the midfield is the key weak point of the team. It was non existent earlier in the season. It's improved markedly since and the emergence of Morgan has been pivotal to that. I'm still not quite as enamoured with Varane as some. Whilst he has improved (albeit from a very poor start), his strengths are limited to defensive skills. Technical improvements needed with touch, close control, forward passing and, in particular, shooting if he's to become a big player going forward. |
A tad harsh, Benny. At 23 he's still relatively young and, as you say, improving so he will get better. Interestingly, his passing stats yesterday were the best on the pitch with 94% accuracy so his ball skills are good. I think he's becoming an important player for us. |  | | |
| Watford Reflection on 07:35 - Jan 2 with 1362 views | Wilkinswatercarrier |
| Watford Reflection on 18:32 - Jan 1 by numptydumpty |
18 years old.
The guys a legend already.
And with Varane performing extremely well also, so impressed with the midfield and our ever ready Field there also putting in stamina sapping displays, the midfield three looks very strong. [Post edited 1 Jan 18:35]
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How is Morgan a legend? | | | |
| Watford Reflection on 10:02 - Jan 2 with 1153 views | TheChef |
Someone's clearly had a bad start to the year 
Maybe not 'legend' in the literal sense but for an 18 year old just making his way in first team football, I'd say he's doing a pretty good job for us so far. Or do you disagree? |  |
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| Watford Reflection on 10:16 - Jan 2 with 1066 views | daveB |
It was our best performance of the season imo, I thought Morgan, Dunne and Smyth were outstanding but no one from starting 11 was below a 7 out of 10 for me and a tough pick for man of the match
Was also a really good game as Watford never felt out of it especially the number 8 for them who was excellent.
Count me in the Morgan fan club, reminds me of a young Faurlin, lots to improve on but he's been a real find |  | | |
| Watford Reflection on 10:42 - Jan 2 with 988 views | Wilkinswatercarrier |
| Watford Reflection on 10:02 - Jan 2 by TheChef |
Someone's clearly had a bad start to the year
Maybe not 'legend' in the literal sense but for an 18 year old just making his way in first team football, I'd say he's doing a pretty good job for us so far. Or do you disagree? |
Agree, he is doing quite well.
However, let's not forget it is against a pretty low bar, with our other midfielders unable to take the ball on the half turn. | | | |
| Watford Reflection on 11:00 - Jan 2 with 944 views | Marshy67 |
Looking at the Watford website Cleverley gave us faint praise-more clinical more desire in both boxes-but was quick to accuse Rangers of "playing the dark arts much better than us (Watford) and that we (Watford) " need to be as nasty as the opposition and want to win"
What's that all about?
A little humility wouldn't have gone amiss.
Rangers were terrific and in the main a joy to watch.
All three goals were well taken with not a deflection in sight! | | | |
| Watford Reflection on 12:16 - Jan 2 with 721 views | qpr1976 |
| Watford Reflection on 11:00 - Jan 2 by Marshy67 |
Looking at the Watford website Cleverley gave us faint praise-more clinical more desire in both boxes-but was quick to accuse Rangers of "playing the dark arts much better than us (Watford) and that we (Watford) " need to be as nasty as the opposition and want to win"
What's that all about?
A little humility wouldn't have gone amiss.
Rangers were terrific and in the main a joy to watch.
All three goals were well taken with not a deflection in sight! |
I think we were in their faces a lot, certainly a few incidents on the pitch. Dunne in particular was having a few run-ins, thus his 'inyerface' standing over their defender celebration for his goal. Porteous for them was getting mighty peeved.
Ref was more kind to us than them I think. | | | |
| Watford Reflection on 12:27 - Jan 2 with 690 views | robith |
| Watford Reflection on 11:00 - Jan 2 by Marshy67 |
Looking at the Watford website Cleverley gave us faint praise-more clinical more desire in both boxes-but was quick to accuse Rangers of "playing the dark arts much better than us (Watford) and that we (Watford) " need to be as nasty as the opposition and want to win"
What's that all about?
A little humility wouldn't have gone amiss.
Rangers were terrific and in the main a joy to watch.
All three goals were well taken with not a deflection in sight! |
I felt if the Watford back 5 put as much effort into actually defending as they did pissing and moaning they might have had a chance | | | |
| Watford Reflection on 12:37 - Jan 2 with 663 views | thehat |
Enjoyed the performance very much.
Watford came to bully us and we stood up strong and ended up bullying them.
It was Ashby's best game for us especially second half in his natural position.
Fox played well too and shown once fully fit he can be a decent squad player.
Morgan could turn out to be masterstroke from the recruitment team.
MOTM for us was between Dunne and Smyth and we went for Dunne in the car on the way home.
Still can't believe we were bottom and looking certs for relegation only a few weeks ago. | | | |
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