The name Les Simmons seems as synonymous to me as those of John Ward, Steve Harrison, Tom Walley and Billy Hails when thinking about GT's magical mystery tour. Yet he pre-dated that by a long long way, originally being in charge of the greyhound track before becoming head groundsman in the early 60's. In his time with the club its said he only ever took five holidays whilst preparing the Vicarage Road pitch for over 1200 matches. In total he gave over fifty years service to the club and fully deserved his testimonial in 1997.
Taylor said at the time that football should honour more people like Les not highly paid players who are set up for life. Therefore I do hope we get a chance to pay respects to him with a minutes silence against Sheffield United.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Bristol City v Watford- Previously...
Our first meeting with Bristol City was in our third season as a Division 3 club back in 1923. We drew 1-1 at the Vic but lost 3-1 at Ashton Gate seven days later.
In all encounters including those in such prestigious competitions as the Division 3 (South) Cup, Anglo Italian Cup and Associate Members Cup we've met 84 times, winning 25, drawing 25, losing 34, scoring 109 and conceding 125. At Ashton Gate we've played 42 games and have won just 7, drawing 13, losing 22, scoring 43 and conceding 73.
The last encounter at Ashton Gate was Malky's last as caretaker with Judas watching in the stands. We drew 1-1 with Tommy Smith equalising a minute after we went behind. A month later we had possibly the most miserable Boxing Day since Fulham tore us apart 5-0 at Craven Cottage in 2000. We went down 4-2 at home with City scoring their first after about 30 seconds. Raziak and an own goal were our contributions, and although there were only two goals difference it was a game we were never in.
City are currently 12th, level with us on 31 points but with a better goal difference of 4. On Boxing Day they went down 2-1 to QPR. In their last home game they drew 1-1 with Reading.
Mutual friends are, of course, Gary Johnson who could've been our boss if things had worked out differently and Keith Millen who is his assistant. One other thing we have in common with them is a player on loan at Skoda Xanthi. Peter Styvar is Xanthi's 41 whilst Nathan Ellington has bizarely decided to wear the no.99 shirt.
In all encounters including those in such prestigious competitions as the Division 3 (South) Cup, Anglo Italian Cup and Associate Members Cup we've met 84 times, winning 25, drawing 25, losing 34, scoring 109 and conceding 125. At Ashton Gate we've played 42 games and have won just 7, drawing 13, losing 22, scoring 43 and conceding 73.
The last encounter at Ashton Gate was Malky's last as caretaker with Judas watching in the stands. We drew 1-1 with Tommy Smith equalising a minute after we went behind. A month later we had possibly the most miserable Boxing Day since Fulham tore us apart 5-0 at Craven Cottage in 2000. We went down 4-2 at home with City scoring their first after about 30 seconds. Raziak and an own goal were our contributions, and although there were only two goals difference it was a game we were never in.
City are currently 12th, level with us on 31 points but with a better goal difference of 4. On Boxing Day they went down 2-1 to QPR. In their last home game they drew 1-1 with Reading.
Mutual friends are, of course, Gary Johnson who could've been our boss if things had worked out differently and Keith Millen who is his assistant. One other thing we have in common with them is a player on loan at Skoda Xanthi. Peter Styvar is Xanthi's 41 whilst Nathan Ellington has bizarely decided to wear the no.99 shirt.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Dreadful D'Urso- Watford 0 Nottingham Forest 0
He has never liked us, and always manages to make at least one baffling decision whenever he is in charge of a game we're involved in. However he never seems to get the reception he deserves in a way that Styles does or Atwell would if he ever came back to the Vic (funny how we've never seen him again isn't it?) After this afternoons lack of penalty award maybe next time Andy is the man in the middle he will.
Great to hear how well we played considering Forest are getting all the plaudits at the moment. In fact of the reports I've read so far barely a mention is made of the opposition so we must have been good.
Great to hear how well we played considering Forest are getting all the plaudits at the moment. In fact of the reports I've read so far barely a mention is made of the opposition so we must have been good.
Friday, December 25, 2009
Watford v Nottingham Forest- Previously...
Apologies for a rather truncated preview but I've only got five minutes between putting various toys and games together (why can't they come ready to play straight out of the box??) and helping to get the Xmas lunch ready. For the same sort of reasons I won't be at tomorrow's game.
The first time we met Forest was in the first FA Cup after World War 2 when ties were played over two legs. We drew both games 1-1, the second of which went into unlimited extra time but eventually had to be stopped due to fading light and bad weather. A replay was held at White Hart Lane which we surprisingly won 1-0.
In all we've played 38 times, winning 10, drawing 14 and losing 14, scoring 46 goals to their 56. At home we've met 19 times and have a positive record which surprises me as I remember Forest as one of those rare teams that usually managed to beat us in the glorious 80's. We've won 6, drawn 8 and lost 5 scoring 24 and conceding 22.
Last time out we won 2-1 at the Vic back in March with Raziak and Priskin getting the goals.
I'm being called to clear the table so I better go. Merry Christmas.
The first time we met Forest was in the first FA Cup after World War 2 when ties were played over two legs. We drew both games 1-1, the second of which went into unlimited extra time but eventually had to be stopped due to fading light and bad weather. A replay was held at White Hart Lane which we surprisingly won 1-0.
In all we've played 38 times, winning 10, drawing 14 and losing 14, scoring 46 goals to their 56. At home we've met 19 times and have a positive record which surprises me as I remember Forest as one of those rare teams that usually managed to beat us in the glorious 80's. We've won 6, drawn 8 and lost 5 scoring 24 and conceding 22.
Last time out we won 2-1 at the Vic back in March with Raziak and Priskin getting the goals.
I'm being called to clear the table so I better go. Merry Christmas.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Duke
Unbelievably we've managed to offload Ellington to top Greek side Skoda Xanthi.
I wonder if its like AC Milan getting mixed up and buying Luther instead of John Barnes.
Maybe they think they're getting Lloyd after his goalscoring exploits. They will be sorely disappointed.
I wonder if its like AC Milan getting mixed up and buying Luther instead of John Barnes.
Maybe they think they're getting Lloyd after his goalscoring exploits. They will be sorely disappointed.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Predictable- Peterborough United 2 Watford 1
Disappointing result but after the week we've all been through probably not surprising. If you think how concerned we've been imagine being Malky or one of the players. Not exactly an ideal build up. A shame the snow didn't get it postponed.
A Bad Man?
So Jimmy is mad at GT. Has he not got his phone number? Can he not ring him and discuss this matter privately rather than denouncing the man most synonymous with our club through the media. He surely can't think this is going to win him back any friends?
This is the same Jimmy Russo who didn't have the courtesy to tell GT what he was going to do before the AGM and who then played out all of the subsequent fiasco in public.
I can assure Jimmy that he's been called far worse things by a great many people in the last week.
This is the same Jimmy Russo who didn't have the courtesy to tell GT what he was going to do before the AGM and who then played out all of the subsequent fiasco in public.
I can assure Jimmy that he's been called far worse things by a great many people in the last week.
Friday, December 18, 2009
Peterborough United v Watford- Previously...
Thank goodness for a chance to focus on some actual football talk for a change. In case you'd forgotten we have a match tomorrow. Well, as long as the snow doesn't get in the way. I feel very fair weather saying this but I think I'll probably account for one of the empty seats at London Road given how bad the roads have been in Bucks today.
Peterborough United were a rather late entry into the world of football. They weren't formed until 1934 and didn't get admitted to the Football League until 1960 when they were elected in the place of Gateshead.
They won the Fourth Division in their debut season and so met us for the first time the following season in the Old Division Three when they beat us 3-2 at the Vic and 4-3 at home in the space of 6 days. Another double over us followed in 1962/3 and it wasn't until we met in an FA Cup First Round replay in November 1963 that we won for the first time beating them 2-1.
Our record has never really recovered from that rocky start and so the stats read won 9, drawn 6, lost 13, scored 39 and conceded 47. At London Road in the 13 games we've played there we've won 3, drawn 4 and lost 6 scoring 17 goals to their 26.
The last meetings were over ten years ago in the short lived reign of Kenny Jackett. We drew 0-0 at home, lost 1-0 again at home in the southern area semi final of the Associate Members Cup (Football League Trophy, Auto Paint Daf Shield thing) and lost 2-1 in Cambridgeshire with Tommy Mooney scoring the Horns goal.
Peterborough are currently bottom of the Championship having only won twice in the league all season, both coming before they took the odd decision to sack Darren Ferguson. The best results the former Kettering Town manager Mark Cooper has achieved are the 2-2 draws at home to Middlesbrough and Swansea, and a 0-0 at Ipswich. Last Saturday at Coventry they came back level after being 2-0 down but conceded again a minute after getting the equaliser and so lost 3-2.
The only ex-Hornet currently on the Peterborough playing staff is Toumani Diagouraga. However the mutual friends list includes an interesting dinner party mix of Aidy Boothroyd, Ken Charley, Eric Steele and Worrell Sterling.
Peterborough United were a rather late entry into the world of football. They weren't formed until 1934 and didn't get admitted to the Football League until 1960 when they were elected in the place of Gateshead.
They won the Fourth Division in their debut season and so met us for the first time the following season in the Old Division Three when they beat us 3-2 at the Vic and 4-3 at home in the space of 6 days. Another double over us followed in 1962/3 and it wasn't until we met in an FA Cup First Round replay in November 1963 that we won for the first time beating them 2-1.
Our record has never really recovered from that rocky start and so the stats read won 9, drawn 6, lost 13, scored 39 and conceded 47. At London Road in the 13 games we've played there we've won 3, drawn 4 and lost 6 scoring 17 goals to their 26.
The last meetings were over ten years ago in the short lived reign of Kenny Jackett. We drew 0-0 at home, lost 1-0 again at home in the southern area semi final of the Associate Members Cup (Football League Trophy, Auto Paint Daf Shield thing) and lost 2-1 in Cambridgeshire with Tommy Mooney scoring the Horns goal.
Peterborough are currently bottom of the Championship having only won twice in the league all season, both coming before they took the odd decision to sack Darren Ferguson. The best results the former Kettering Town manager Mark Cooper has achieved are the 2-2 draws at home to Middlesbrough and Swansea, and a 0-0 at Ipswich. Last Saturday at Coventry they came back level after being 2-0 down but conceded again a minute after getting the equaliser and so lost 3-2.
The only ex-Hornet currently on the Peterborough playing staff is Toumani Diagouraga. However the mutual friends list includes an interesting dinner party mix of Aidy Boothroyd, Ken Charley, Eric Steele and Worrell Sterling.
Some Sort of Common Sense Prevails
But please don't think I'm going to praise anyone on here. It should never have come to this. If Jimmy reckons we're all going to kiss his feet he's wrong. Yes we are so very very grateful that he saved us so many times. But no-one who claimed to have the best interests of Watford Football Club at heart would have willingly entered into the pantomime that has been played out this week.
The irony is that all this has been about ownership, when I don't believe any person can truly own a community football club like ours. We, the supporters, own the identity, the ethos, the belief, the hopes and the dreams and will do so until we die. They, the money men, only own the skelton and like players and managers are unlikely to be with us for more than a small fraction of that time. As the fans of Wimbledon and many other less high profile clubs have proved, we have the real power. If we are disregarded too often we can take our club and leave them owning next to nothing.
The irony is that all this has been about ownership, when I don't believe any person can truly own a community football club like ours. We, the supporters, own the identity, the ethos, the belief, the hopes and the dreams and will do so until we die. They, the money men, only own the skelton and like players and managers are unlikely to be with us for more than a small fraction of that time. As the fans of Wimbledon and many other less high profile clubs have proved, we have the real power. If we are disregarded too often we can take our club and leave them owning next to nothing.
Chants For Tomorrow (if our game survives the snow)
Now Brenda's gone from Reading his one seems a bit redundant. So how about replacing his name with any one of the Russos, Graham Simpson or Lord Ashcroft, because who the hell do they think they are any-way? The Horns will always go marching on on on, whoever is in charge of us and whatever form our club takes.
Also I think 'Elton John's Taylor Made Army' should get a reprise to show Elt that he's the only one we'd trust running our club, and to thank GT for putting up with being in the middle of these tossers when he must have many other things he'd rather be doing with his time.
Also I think 'Elton John's Taylor Made Army' should get a reprise to show Elt that he's the only one we'd trust running our club, and to thank GT for putting up with being in the middle of these tossers when he must have many other things he'd rather be doing with his time.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Tosser of the Year Award
3. Mike Williamson
2. Brendan Rodgers
And a late entry at No.1 goes to... Jimmy Russo.
Amazing how quick you can go from being a good bloke to complete tosser. I won't be buying your salad again mate.
2. Brendan Rodgers
And a late entry at No.1 goes to... Jimmy Russo.
Amazing how quick you can go from being a good bloke to complete tosser. I won't be buying your salad again mate.
Still Waiting
The wait goes on to find out just how much the Russo's are fans of the club.
I'm not thrilled about the prospect of Ashcroft being the main man but it would be better than administration. Hopefully Simpson would not be back as Chairman.
Good that GT is interim chairman. At least someone involved in all of this mess is a man we can trust. Without him in there I don't think I'd trust anything that came out about either camp.
I'm not thrilled about the prospect of Ashcroft being the main man but it would be better than administration. Hopefully Simpson would not be back as Chairman.
Good that GT is interim chairman. At least someone involved in all of this mess is a man we can trust. Without him in there I don't think I'd trust anything that came out about either camp.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
The Good News
Well its got to be slightly positive that an agreement was reached to put back the deadline for the repayment.
However its not exactly a huge breakthrough.
So it was nice of Reading to provide the one bit of good news of the day. They've sacked Judas.
Hahahahahahahhahahahhahahaha!
Nice one Madjeski. It was almost all worth it just for that.
However its not exactly a huge breakthrough.
So it was nice of Reading to provide the one bit of good news of the day. They've sacked Judas.
Hahahahahahahhahahahhahahaha!
Nice one Madjeski. It was almost all worth it just for that.
What's Going On?- Part 2
Its difficult to know what to say really.
My opinion of Simpson and Ashcroft has gone down even further, if that's possible. I just don't see what good can come out of threatening to remove Jimmy and Vince when they've been single handedly keeping us going.
However the Russo's actions in resigning without telling GT what they were up to doesn't put them in as good a light as if they'd waited for what seemed to be the inevitable and got voted off.
I can kind of understand the bloody minded revenge part of them instantly calling back in the loan. But if it was me, my love for the club would prevent me from doing anything that puts us in jeopardy. By their actions it doesn't seem they really get our club like we hoped maybe they did.
Those that are commenting on the WO site that this is the end and RIP and all that I think are just over-reacting. Sadly many clubs have been in this position before, and many more will after us, but, whatever happens, clubs usually manage to survive in one form or another as long as there are supporters who truly care.
I do worry about the 10 point deduction. With it we'll be just outside the relegation zone. How the players and fans react will determine whether the rest of the season will become a drawn out battle to avoid the drop, or whether we'll continue an even more unlikely challenge for the playoffs.
My opinion of Simpson and Ashcroft has gone down even further, if that's possible. I just don't see what good can come out of threatening to remove Jimmy and Vince when they've been single handedly keeping us going.
However the Russo's actions in resigning without telling GT what they were up to doesn't put them in as good a light as if they'd waited for what seemed to be the inevitable and got voted off.
I can kind of understand the bloody minded revenge part of them instantly calling back in the loan. But if it was me, my love for the club would prevent me from doing anything that puts us in jeopardy. By their actions it doesn't seem they really get our club like we hoped maybe they did.
Those that are commenting on the WO site that this is the end and RIP and all that I think are just over-reacting. Sadly many clubs have been in this position before, and many more will after us, but, whatever happens, clubs usually manage to survive in one form or another as long as there are supporters who truly care.
I do worry about the 10 point deduction. With it we'll be just outside the relegation zone. How the players and fans react will determine whether the rest of the season will become a drawn out battle to avoid the drop, or whether we'll continue an even more unlikely challenge for the playoffs.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
What's Going On?
http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sport/watfordfc/watfordfcnews/4795983.Russo_brothers_resign_from_Watford_board/
Its difficult to fathom exactly what's going on after tonight's AGM. I only have the BBC and the WO to go on, and more tellingly some of the comments after the WO story.
Jimmy and Vince resigning was not on the agenda at all as far as I could see. Them being removed by Simpson and Ashcroft was certainly a possibility but not them going of their own accord. The BBC claim they are now demanding the repayment of the loans which presumably will force us into administration.
I don't believe the Russo's are doing this just to be difficult. They must be doing it to try and get rid of Simpson and Ashcroft.
However, this seems to rely on everyone having the best interests of the football club at heart. There is only one man who I can truly 100% say I know has that. And that is GT whom I feel very sorry for finding himself in the middle of this mess.
Its difficult to fathom exactly what's going on after tonight's AGM. I only have the BBC and the WO to go on, and more tellingly some of the comments after the WO story.
Jimmy and Vince resigning was not on the agenda at all as far as I could see. Them being removed by Simpson and Ashcroft was certainly a possibility but not them going of their own accord. The BBC claim they are now demanding the repayment of the loans which presumably will force us into administration.
I don't believe the Russo's are doing this just to be difficult. They must be doing it to try and get rid of Simpson and Ashcroft.
However, this seems to rely on everyone having the best interests of the football club at heart. There is only one man who I can truly 100% say I know has that. And that is GT whom I feel very sorry for finding himself in the middle of this mess.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Bob Oteng
Sad to see that Bob is leaving us for the lure of the Premiership. I guess it has its attractions even if you're a kit man.
He will always be a top man in my book for ensuring a woman who got hit by a ball before the game at Charlton last season was okay whilst the stewards nearby did bugger all.
All the best Bob. I hope wherever you're going their kits are easy to clean.
He will always be a top man in my book for ensuring a woman who got hit by a ball before the game at Charlton last season was okay whilst the stewards nearby did bugger all.
All the best Bob. I hope wherever you're going their kits are easy to clean.
Forget and Move On- Watford 0 Derby County 1
Well in complete contrast to Monday night that was just pants. Pants pants pants in so many ways.
It was a game we should've won. I reckon had we scored first we probably would've won easily. But whereas on some days our lovely passing game comes off today it really didn't. We were guilty of trying to string too many passes together and not shooting enough.
Derby were obvious but effective. They came to be dirty, physical, to get in the way and to stop us doing what we do well. And they succeeded and managed to get an unlikely goal with 15 minutes left.
I don't blame them for their tactics at all. After all they have Robbie Savage as captain and Nigel Clough as manager. What was extremely frustrating was that the officials spent the afternoon being overly fussy about stupid things and never bothered to clamp down on Derby's fouls with anything more than free kicks.
How on earth the ref can think its fair that we ended the day with 5 yellow cards to their 2 only he will be able to explain. Under other officials they would've ended the day with 9 men or less.
We came close from a Cleverley shot that was well saved and Eustace blasting over from a few yards out but we never really should've been chasing the game.
On a positive note Jay DeMerit was back and our defence looked all the better for him. Ironic then that we didn't get the points but this was a game to simply forget and move on from.
It was a game we should've won. I reckon had we scored first we probably would've won easily. But whereas on some days our lovely passing game comes off today it really didn't. We were guilty of trying to string too many passes together and not shooting enough.
Derby were obvious but effective. They came to be dirty, physical, to get in the way and to stop us doing what we do well. And they succeeded and managed to get an unlikely goal with 15 minutes left.
I don't blame them for their tactics at all. After all they have Robbie Savage as captain and Nigel Clough as manager. What was extremely frustrating was that the officials spent the afternoon being overly fussy about stupid things and never bothered to clamp down on Derby's fouls with anything more than free kicks.
How on earth the ref can think its fair that we ended the day with 5 yellow cards to their 2 only he will be able to explain. Under other officials they would've ended the day with 9 men or less.
We came close from a Cleverley shot that was well saved and Eustace blasting over from a few yards out but we never really should've been chasing the game.
On a positive note Jay DeMerit was back and our defence looked all the better for him. Ironic then that we didn't get the points but this was a game to simply forget and move on from.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Watford v Derby County- Previously...
We first played Derby in the opening round of the League Cup back in 1960 when they beat us 5-2 at the Vic. Almost twenty years elapsed before our first league meetings in the Old Division 2 when both games ended in 1-1 draws.
In all we've met 30 times and have a totally equal record. We've won 9, drawn 12, lost 9, and have scored and conceded 46 goals each. At the Vic we've played 16 times, winning 6, drawing 7, losing 3 scoring 29 and conceding 22.
Last season we went to Pride Park just before Christmas and booed Nathan Ellington a lot, as he was playing for the Rams, but lost 1-0. In the final match of the season, which was Rodgers last in charge, his followers McAnuff and Raisak scored the goals in a 3-1 Horns win whilst the on loan Eustace scored against his parent club.
It was slightly before my time but I'm sure our most memorable meeting was the 6-1 home win in January 1982. Goals from Luther Blissett, John Barnes, Ian Bolton, Nigel Callaghan and two from Gerry Armstrong made it our biggest win of the season that took us to the top flight.
Derby are rather good at home this season having won 6 of their 9 games at Pride Park, but dire on their travels as they are yet to win a game in 10 attempts. They are currently 17th and are 7 points behind us. Their last 3 games saw them beat Reading 2-1 and draw with West Brom 2-2 and Preston 0-0.
Having had an abundance of Hornets recently they now have none after off-loading Jordan Stewart to Sheffield United on the last day of the transfer window.
In all we've met 30 times and have a totally equal record. We've won 9, drawn 12, lost 9, and have scored and conceded 46 goals each. At the Vic we've played 16 times, winning 6, drawing 7, losing 3 scoring 29 and conceding 22.
Last season we went to Pride Park just before Christmas and booed Nathan Ellington a lot, as he was playing for the Rams, but lost 1-0. In the final match of the season, which was Rodgers last in charge, his followers McAnuff and Raisak scored the goals in a 3-1 Horns win whilst the on loan Eustace scored against his parent club.
It was slightly before my time but I'm sure our most memorable meeting was the 6-1 home win in January 1982. Goals from Luther Blissett, John Barnes, Ian Bolton, Nigel Callaghan and two from Gerry Armstrong made it our biggest win of the season that took us to the top flight.
Derby are rather good at home this season having won 6 of their 9 games at Pride Park, but dire on their travels as they are yet to win a game in 10 attempts. They are currently 17th and are 7 points behind us. Their last 3 games saw them beat Reading 2-1 and draw with West Brom 2-2 and Preston 0-0.
Having had an abundance of Hornets recently they now have none after off-loading Jordan Stewart to Sheffield United on the last day of the transfer window.
Wednesday, December 09, 2009
Magilton
All was definitely not well with QPR on Monday night.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/q/qpr/8403668.stm
How much of it really is an incident or just an excuse to maybe get rid of a poorly performing manager isn't clear. But Paul Fletcher, probably the best blogger on the BBC website, provides an interesting eye witness report into Buzsaky's wanderings.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/paulfletcher/2009/12/watford_and_qpr_the_loan_range.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/q/qpr/8403668.stm
How much of it really is an incident or just an excuse to maybe get rid of a poorly performing manager isn't clear. But Paul Fletcher, probably the best blogger on the BBC website, provides an interesting eye witness report into Buzsaky's wanderings.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/paulfletcher/2009/12/watford_and_qpr_the_loan_range.html
Monday, December 07, 2009
Contrasts- Watford 3 Queens Park Rangers 1
Two contrasts that shone brightly under the Vicarage Road floodlights this evening.
They might be one of our near neighbours but in every other respect how far apart did Watford and QPR seem tonight? One is apparently the richest club in the world whilst the other is being kept alive solely by the publics love of bagged salad.
Yet if you didn't know, it was those in the yellow that you would assume were by far the better off.
Almost all of us played a part in a fantastic performance but, of course, it is only fair that one man takes all the plaudits.
Step forward Sir Lloyd Doyley. After last night you are up there along with Moons, Luther, Barnes, Coton, Gibbs, Porter, Chamberlain and the other legends of our great football club.
If the contrast between us and QPR was big, the difference between Lloydinho and Duke is massive. Lloyd's desire makes up for all his shortcomings. We've seen him grow and develop in his time at the Vic and he always looks like he wants to learn and improve even more every time he steps onto the pitch. Its never about him, never about how he performs but all about the team. Lloyd is the ultimate team player. Happy to help out wherever. And, finally, this time that included helping out in front of the opposition's goal.
Nathan, however, hasn't improved one little bit in his time at the Vic. His performance, as always, lacked desire instead relying on his admittedly impressive natural talent to make something happen. But that reliance means he's never grown or developed into a significant role for this or any Watford team he has played in. He reminds me of one of those beach soccer players you see on Sky in the summer. Its all about the tricks, the fancy touches but not really about the team.
In his post match comments on the OS, Malky revealed that he advises youngsters wanting to learn about being a good professional to go and talk to Lloyd Doyley. Maybe he should give that advice to Nathan too.
They might be one of our near neighbours but in every other respect how far apart did Watford and QPR seem tonight? One is apparently the richest club in the world whilst the other is being kept alive solely by the publics love of bagged salad.
Yet if you didn't know, it was those in the yellow that you would assume were by far the better off.
Almost all of us played a part in a fantastic performance but, of course, it is only fair that one man takes all the plaudits.
Step forward Sir Lloyd Doyley. After last night you are up there along with Moons, Luther, Barnes, Coton, Gibbs, Porter, Chamberlain and the other legends of our great football club.
If the contrast between us and QPR was big, the difference between Lloydinho and Duke is massive. Lloyd's desire makes up for all his shortcomings. We've seen him grow and develop in his time at the Vic and he always looks like he wants to learn and improve even more every time he steps onto the pitch. Its never about him, never about how he performs but all about the team. Lloyd is the ultimate team player. Happy to help out wherever. And, finally, this time that included helping out in front of the opposition's goal.
Nathan, however, hasn't improved one little bit in his time at the Vic. His performance, as always, lacked desire instead relying on his admittedly impressive natural talent to make something happen. But that reliance means he's never grown or developed into a significant role for this or any Watford team he has played in. He reminds me of one of those beach soccer players you see on Sky in the summer. Its all about the tricks, the fancy touches but not really about the team.
In his post match comments on the OS, Malky revealed that he advises youngsters wanting to learn about being a good professional to go and talk to Lloyd Doyley. Maybe he should give that advice to Nathan too.
LLOYDINHO
A more considered response will follow but for now it was wonderful, marvellous, unbelievable. All obvious things to say but tonight was one of those you'll remember where you were moments. Like the Moon Landings, 1966 or to give it a Watford perspective the 7-1 or 8-0.
Its a surprise to come home and find its not the main story on Sky or the BBC. It will be a surprise tomorrow to find his face not grinning out at us from numerous newspapers offering their Lloyd Doyley souvenir supplements.
Even if it won't be an official one tomorrow will feel like a Bank Holiday. And from now on every December 7th should be known as Lloyd Doyley Day.
What a great night. THIS is why we do it.
Its a surprise to come home and find its not the main story on Sky or the BBC. It will be a surprise tomorrow to find his face not grinning out at us from numerous newspapers offering their Lloyd Doyley souvenir supplements.
Even if it won't be an official one tomorrow will feel like a Bank Holiday. And from now on every December 7th should be known as Lloyd Doyley Day.
What a great night. THIS is why we do it.
Sunday, December 06, 2009
Watford v Queens Park Rangers- Previously...
According to Wikipedia QPR were formed by the merger of St.Judes and Christchurch Rangers in 1882. However in Trefor Jones' excellent Watford Season by Season reference book he records that West Herts beat Christchurch Rangers 3-1 at home on 18 October 1884 which I'm guessing was the first meeting between the sides that would go on to be known as Watford and Queens Park Rangers.
Our first competitive meeting was in the 4th qualifying round of the FA Cup in the 1900/1 season when we drew 1-1 at home before going down 4-1 in West London.
In competitive games played (disregarding those in the Southern League as I've not added them to my database yet!) we've met 113 times, winning 32, drawing 34, losing 47, scoring 151 and conceding 176. 56 of those games have been played at the Vic of which we've won 20, drawn 14 and lost 22, scoring and conceding 80.
Last season Malky gained the only league win of his short caretaking career over QPR when we won 3-0 at the Vic with a penalty from Tommy Smith and goals from on loan Darren Ward and Lee Williamson. Under Judas we drew the last game of 2008 0-0 at Loftus Road.
By common media consent (I've heard it on both Sky and the BBC) the wheels are suddenly coming off the R's promotion push because they've only won one game in the last six and were unexpectedly beaten 5-1 by Middlesbrough at home yesterday. They are currently 9th and have one more point than ourselves.
With panto season nearly upon us its a shame we won't get to practise cheering or booing ex-Watford players as Gavin Mahon and Lee Cook are both out injured and obviously H is on loan with us. However Aidy's old friend Fitz Hall should line up in defence for Rangers.
Our first competitive meeting was in the 4th qualifying round of the FA Cup in the 1900/1 season when we drew 1-1 at home before going down 4-1 in West London.
In competitive games played (disregarding those in the Southern League as I've not added them to my database yet!) we've met 113 times, winning 32, drawing 34, losing 47, scoring 151 and conceding 176. 56 of those games have been played at the Vic of which we've won 20, drawn 14 and lost 22, scoring and conceding 80.
Last season Malky gained the only league win of his short caretaking career over QPR when we won 3-0 at the Vic with a penalty from Tommy Smith and goals from on loan Darren Ward and Lee Williamson. Under Judas we drew the last game of 2008 0-0 at Loftus Road.
By common media consent (I've heard it on both Sky and the BBC) the wheels are suddenly coming off the R's promotion push because they've only won one game in the last six and were unexpectedly beaten 5-1 by Middlesbrough at home yesterday. They are currently 9th and have one more point than ourselves.
With panto season nearly upon us its a shame we won't get to practise cheering or booing ex-Watford players as Gavin Mahon and Lee Cook are both out injured and obviously H is on loan with us. However Aidy's old friend Fitz Hall should line up in defence for Rangers.
Saturday, December 05, 2009
No Surprises- Newcastle United 2 Watford 0
Annoying to concede a second goal when they were already down to ten men but I really didn't expect us to bring back the points today. What is frustrating is that Donnie went to Selhurst Park and put three past Palace. Why didn't we manage to do the same last week?
At least QPR were thrashed 5-1 at home. Hopefully they will still be in shock on Monday night.
At least QPR were thrashed 5-1 at home. Hopefully they will still be in shock on Monday night.
Friday, December 04, 2009
Newcastle United v Watford- Previously...
Our first meeting with Newcastle was back in 1924 in the FA Cup 3rd Round. Having already done the giant killing thing by putting out Middlesbrough we couldn’t repeat the feat as we went down 1-0 at Vicarage Road. It wasn’t until 1979 that we met in the League when we did the double over them in the old Division Two winning both games 2-0.
In all we’ve met 35 times, winning 9, drawing 14, losing 12, scoring 40 and conceding 47. At St.James' Park we've played 16 times, winning just 2, drawing 5, losing 9, scoring 12 and conceding 26. The other game we won there was the opening game of the 1981/2 season when we beat them 1-0.
The encounter, or rather encounters, against Newcastle that stick in my mind were the five games we played against them in just over a month in the 1988/9 season when they were in the top flight and we were adjusting to life back in the old Division Two. First drawn together in the Full Members Cup we won 2-1 at the Vic. We then played four epic FA Cup Third Round ties against them drawing the first on Tyneside 0-0 and bringing them back to the Vic for an exciting 2-2 draw.
They were happy days, those of infinite FA Cup replays that happened a couple of days after the original match rather than the silly week and a half wait we get now. The excitement of knowing you’d get another match to go to if the first was a draw. If the second game was a draw, everyone would wait around after extra time to discover where the next one would be. The ref would reappear with the captains to toss a coin out in the middle of the pitch. The jubilance of one captain would usually make it obvious where the next game would be played before it was announced over the tannoy.
Alas, on this occasion we lost the toss so the third game was back up North on a Monday, so there was no question of going as it was a school night. However if it was another draw we'd play at the Vic on Wednesday. Then, as now, matches were my favourite thing in the world and the prospect of unexpected extra ones was always the cause of great excitement. I remember being in my bedroom listening to the second replay on Radio 2. Part of me wanting us to win, part of me wanting another draw so I could go to the next game, but all of me dreading the prospect of losing so much that I couldn't bear to fully concentrate so I started watching Minder at the same time. By the time Terry had got Arthur out of another scrap we were well into extra time and I hid my head in a pillow until we'd hung on for another 0-0.
The tie was settled 48 hours later at the Vic when Newcastle’s Glenn Roeder signaled his intentions of wanting to play and manage us by scoring an own goal in extra time to give the Horns a 1-0 win.
The last time we met was in Aidy’s Premiership season of 2006/7. We lost 2-1 up north with Bouazza scoring for us and drew 1-1 in the last match of the season at home, Marlon equalising with a penalty.
Despite Mike Ashley’s best efforts to destablise everything including the name of the ground at St.James', Newcastle are well on course for an immediate return to the Prem. They’ve won 12, drawn 3 and lost 3. Those losses were at Scunny, Peterborough and Blackpool which makes it appear that they are only beatable when their surroundings don’t meet up to Premiership expectations. At home they’ve won 7 and drawn 2. Throw in the 'we've not won there for 28 years' and I imagine we are not the favourites to take the 3 points come 5pm tomorrow.
In all we’ve met 35 times, winning 9, drawing 14, losing 12, scoring 40 and conceding 47. At St.James' Park we've played 16 times, winning just 2, drawing 5, losing 9, scoring 12 and conceding 26. The other game we won there was the opening game of the 1981/2 season when we beat them 1-0.
The encounter, or rather encounters, against Newcastle that stick in my mind were the five games we played against them in just over a month in the 1988/9 season when they were in the top flight and we were adjusting to life back in the old Division Two. First drawn together in the Full Members Cup we won 2-1 at the Vic. We then played four epic FA Cup Third Round ties against them drawing the first on Tyneside 0-0 and bringing them back to the Vic for an exciting 2-2 draw.
They were happy days, those of infinite FA Cup replays that happened a couple of days after the original match rather than the silly week and a half wait we get now. The excitement of knowing you’d get another match to go to if the first was a draw. If the second game was a draw, everyone would wait around after extra time to discover where the next one would be. The ref would reappear with the captains to toss a coin out in the middle of the pitch. The jubilance of one captain would usually make it obvious where the next game would be played before it was announced over the tannoy.
Alas, on this occasion we lost the toss so the third game was back up North on a Monday, so there was no question of going as it was a school night. However if it was another draw we'd play at the Vic on Wednesday. Then, as now, matches were my favourite thing in the world and the prospect of unexpected extra ones was always the cause of great excitement. I remember being in my bedroom listening to the second replay on Radio 2. Part of me wanting us to win, part of me wanting another draw so I could go to the next game, but all of me dreading the prospect of losing so much that I couldn't bear to fully concentrate so I started watching Minder at the same time. By the time Terry had got Arthur out of another scrap we were well into extra time and I hid my head in a pillow until we'd hung on for another 0-0.
The tie was settled 48 hours later at the Vic when Newcastle’s Glenn Roeder signaled his intentions of wanting to play and manage us by scoring an own goal in extra time to give the Horns a 1-0 win.
The last time we met was in Aidy’s Premiership season of 2006/7. We lost 2-1 up north with Bouazza scoring for us and drew 1-1 in the last match of the season at home, Marlon equalising with a penalty.
Despite Mike Ashley’s best efforts to destablise everything including the name of the ground at St.James', Newcastle are well on course for an immediate return to the Prem. They’ve won 12, drawn 3 and lost 3. Those losses were at Scunny, Peterborough and Blackpool which makes it appear that they are only beatable when their surroundings don’t meet up to Premiership expectations. At home they’ve won 7 and drawn 2. Throw in the 'we've not won there for 28 years' and I imagine we are not the favourites to take the 3 points come 5pm tomorrow.
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