Hooray, a routine win, never particularly in doubt against a pretty woeful Portsmouth, whose fans must be wondering why they've brought in some unheard of guy when the caretakers seemed to be doing a better job than the very unlikeable Cotterill.
I was pleased to hear a rendition of 'Taylor Made Army' from the Rookery. I did join in, but alas, my Rous colleagues are not a very musical bunch. Not so, the Pompey fans who chanted, drummed and chimed their way through the 90 minutes regardless of what was taking place on the pitch. In particular, its always satisfying to hear an opposition support chant 'What a load of rubbish'.
I found our starting 11 today a lot more palatable than against Brighton. Well 10 of them any-way, I'm not sure I'm ever going to be sold on Big Chris. Everyone else did their jobs with a pleasing conviction and even when errors were made these were safely and confidently covered. It was an all round good team performance. The stand outs being Mariappa who seems to enjoy the company of Nosworthy, Hogg and Bauben who look like they are going to keep Eustace out of the side for a good while, and Kightly who had his best game in a Watford shirt.
We now have a great chance to actually make the first half of our season look pretty respectable with games to come at Donnie and home to Bristol City. Win those and on the pitch things look considerably brighter, more so than in the Watford boardroom at any rate.
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Next weekend- A request
After the goings on at the club this week it seems that once again Watford has a major investor who just doesn't get how BIG a part Graham Taylor is of our football club.
Much as it is the natural inclination, I'm not going to urge any 'Bassini Out' type protests because they are pointless. No-one obvious is around with a pot of money to fund the club, and Laurence has at least stated his intention to continue investing whether or not he remains on the board.
What I think all Watford supporters should do next Saturday at the game against Portsmouth is make it abundantly clear to Laurence just how much Graham means to us all. So next weekend, dig out those 'There is only one Graham Taylor' and 'Golden Boy Forever' t-shirts that we wore ten years ago to mark his retirement and keep a 'Taylor Made Army' chant going round the Vic to show whose side the fans are on whenever any-one, especially someone connected with the club, dares to criticise the man we know as God.
Saturday, November 05, 2011
x 2- Middlesbrough 1 Watford 0
I went to Middlesbrough back in March and as the trip home seemed to take several days I wasn't keen to repeat it in the same calendar year, especially with the game being on Sky.
A 5.20pm kick off on Bonfire Night when you have kids is problematic for obvious reasons so I only saw the first 20 minutes properly live and watched the rest, having managed to avoid the score, post fireworks.
We never looked likely to score at 0-0 so once we went behind I kind of gave up and watched the second half x 2 on Sky+. It's a shame that setting doesn't automatically come with the Benny Hill music.
It is absolutely crazy that this game of ours refuses to bring in any measures like those in the NFL, Rugby League or Cricket and allow for a video ref. We all knew within 30 seconds of Boro scoring that it was definitely offside. Surely its for the good of the game, as FIFA claim to be, for the ref to get the decision right. So why not let him consult someone who can tell him for certain what that decision should be.
I'm not saying at all it would've made any difference. Had the result ever been in doubt Boro looked like they had at least another two gears to accelerate into whereas even with Craig Beattie coming on we looked like that was as good as we were ever going to get.
The tedium of an international break now beckons without even a competitive match for England. A rather important tough looking game sits the other side of it against a Portsmouth side obviously very much enjoying not having Steve Cotterill as their boss.
A 5.20pm kick off on Bonfire Night when you have kids is problematic for obvious reasons so I only saw the first 20 minutes properly live and watched the rest, having managed to avoid the score, post fireworks.
We never looked likely to score at 0-0 so once we went behind I kind of gave up and watched the second half x 2 on Sky+. It's a shame that setting doesn't automatically come with the Benny Hill music.
It is absolutely crazy that this game of ours refuses to bring in any measures like those in the NFL, Rugby League or Cricket and allow for a video ref. We all knew within 30 seconds of Boro scoring that it was definitely offside. Surely its for the good of the game, as FIFA claim to be, for the ref to get the decision right. So why not let him consult someone who can tell him for certain what that decision should be.
I'm not saying at all it would've made any difference. Had the result ever been in doubt Boro looked like they had at least another two gears to accelerate into whereas even with Craig Beattie coming on we looked like that was as good as we were ever going to get.
The tedium of an international break now beckons without even a competitive match for England. A rather important tough looking game sits the other side of it against a Portsmouth side obviously very much enjoying not having Steve Cotterill as their boss.
Tuesday, November 01, 2011
Falling out of like- Watford 1 Brighton & Hove Albion 0
I came away from this game confused because as I walked back to the car I felt the usual euphoria of a victory was somewhat absent. Instead there was just a mild feeling of pleasure despite what was a much needed and probably just about deserved victory. I mulled over my feelings whilst stuck in a traffic jam on Tolpits Lane courtesy of some temporary traffic lights that had sprung up during the game. My conclusion was that I'm out of like with Sean Dyche's Hornets.
I'll always love Watford, of course. I love the club so much, all the memories, the memorabilia, the programmes, everything that I've collected over the first 29 years of my support for them. But the current incarnation of the 11 players and manager who act as the figurehead of our club aren't really doing it for me even in victory.
The good bits have left, got injured or are being ignored and been replaced by too many parts that are proving very difficult to take to ones heart. Sure, Carl Dickinson has a nice thing going on in his gestures to the fans but as a player seems too prone to allowing players to get past him. David Mirfin was so bad and anonymous he is already out of the team. The same with Joe Garner. One week they are the answer, the next not even on the bench. Dean Yeates' crossing often leaves a lot to be desired. Indeed tonight he would have been easily outscored by Lee Hodson if they were competing in a game show called Strictly Come Crosses.
Chris Iwelumo makes Trevor Senior and Kerry Dixon look like good committed Watford strikers. I like Troy Deeney I really do but a goal a year? Really?? The quality of his strike tonight said it all. We might as well bring back Liam Henderson. Craig Forsyth was always going to struggle because he is a winger and Scottish and so will always be compared to the ultimately better Don Cowie. He also didn't do himself any favours in admitting he'd had second thoughts about whether he did the right thing in joining us. Even so, I thought the reception he received tonight when subbed was pretty harsh. He wasn't great but I still would've taken Iwelumo off first.
Loach has managed to ensure that the stadium holds its breath every time he needs to make a decision. As for Gilmartin I still don't feel I know enough about him to have an opinion. Dyche's conduct with the keepers has just been downright bizarre. Bring Rene in just to throw him out again after a predictable loss to Southampton? Mention the possibility of him going on loan and bring in Jonathan Bond as the deputy and then send him out on loan instead. It must be so reassuring for them all to know exactly where they stand.
The number of loanees coming in and out is beginning to get difficult to keep up with. So, even more than in previous seasons, none of them really feel like ours. Dychy says he wouldn't sign an injured loan player but then where is Craig Beattie? Are our coaching staff really so stupid that they worked a player without much match fitness into the ground before he had a chance to appear for us? At least Michael Kightly got a game but then the same happened to him. I hope Nyron Nosworthy stays fit because he is the only one other than Andi Weimann this season that I've thought I'd like to see playing regularly in a yellow shirt.
Of the new guys only Jonathan Hogg is anywhere near approaching fully paid up Golden Boy status. Buaben, having finally broken into the team, has made a good start and looks like he might follow suit.
Doyley, Mapps, Tiny, Eustace, Sords and McGinn are all, of course, beyond reproach. As are the number of young academy stars we are being denied much of a glimpse of. I still think they are the answer. This club has been at its most successful when bringing through youth players. The times its been at its worst have been those when too many poor newbies were brought in just for the sake of it. Dave Bassett did it and so did Vialli. I think I can remember that mild feeling of pleasure when they won Watford games too.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Iwelumo in Chesting Ball Down Shocker
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Bowel Movements- Watford 0 Crystal Palace 2
Well good bloody grief that was rubbish wasn't it? I think I've had more entertaining bowel movements.
The worst thing about it was that once we went 1-0 down there was absolutely no belief from any-one, most worryingly of all, from us, the fans. There was no chanting, not even much in the way of shouts of frustration. The yellow order seemed to have had the mute button pressed on them. Just a depressed resignation that there was no way we were likely to get back into the match against a decent goalkeeper and a generally better than us Palace side.
Because be in no doubt this was no 'we played well and were really unlucky'. Neither was it anything to do with the officials who were pretty excellent throughout. Although as it was Mark Halsey you'd expect this. One wondered what he'd done to be ref'ing such lowly fair. This was down to us just not looking up for it, not having the quality where it counted and too many players looking like they are simply coasting.
Dyche mentioned the fans again in his programme notes and how we've got an important part to play. I really hope that he's not going to go down the same road as Aidy in the 07/08 season where we're being blamed as much as the players for the performance. That would be fair enough if you paid us to sing and create the atmosphere, or at the very least let us in for free, but when paying £460 for a season ticket please don't expect me to clap my hands or stamp my feet to what we witnessed this afternoon.
I know we've lost good players as Dyche said in his post match interview on 3CR. But he's also brought in lots of new faces and they aren't performing. He needs to change things and pretty quickly. And its not like he hasn't got options with our academy alumni either twiddling their thumbs or appearing in the lower divisions.
The worst thing about it was that once we went 1-0 down there was absolutely no belief from any-one, most worryingly of all, from us, the fans. There was no chanting, not even much in the way of shouts of frustration. The yellow order seemed to have had the mute button pressed on them. Just a depressed resignation that there was no way we were likely to get back into the match against a decent goalkeeper and a generally better than us Palace side.
Because be in no doubt this was no 'we played well and were really unlucky'. Neither was it anything to do with the officials who were pretty excellent throughout. Although as it was Mark Halsey you'd expect this. One wondered what he'd done to be ref'ing such lowly fair. This was down to us just not looking up for it, not having the quality where it counted and too many players looking like they are simply coasting.
Dyche mentioned the fans again in his programme notes and how we've got an important part to play. I really hope that he's not going to go down the same road as Aidy in the 07/08 season where we're being blamed as much as the players for the performance. That would be fair enough if you paid us to sing and create the atmosphere, or at the very least let us in for free, but when paying £460 for a season ticket please don't expect me to clap my hands or stamp my feet to what we witnessed this afternoon.
I know we've lost good players as Dyche said in his post match interview on 3CR. But he's also brought in lots of new faces and they aren't performing. He needs to change things and pretty quickly. And its not like he hasn't got options with our academy alumni either twiddling their thumbs or appearing in the lower divisions.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Intentions to Party- Ghana 0 Nigeria 0
I went to the England-Ghana friendly in March and it was one of the most entertaining football crowds I've ever been part of. The Ghanian supporters celebrated corners, free kicks, passes and even throw-ins with ever increasing enthusiasm. Although I was supporting England I very much hoped Ghana would score just to experience their goal reaction and it lived up to all expectations when they equalised in the closing minutes.
So I wasn't going to miss the chance to experience that kind of atmosphere at the ground I know and love the most. Okay so the crowd was much smaller, but the Ghana fans came with exactly the same intentions to party and the Nigerian fans had similar ideas. The result was a unique atmosphere at the Vic, the likes of which the stewards or police weren't sure what to do with. Luckily they took the sensible option of just letting everyone get on with having a good time and made no effort to stop the various bands, drums, trumpets and vuvuzuelas that had been brought into the ground.
Richard and Tim on Radio Hornet sensibly didn't try to compete much with the noise. It was good to hear them though and they were one of the few notes of familiarity in an otherwise pretty bizarre evening. Even the programme wasn't produced by the club. It was two thirds full of unusual adverts and contained more typos and mistakes than the very blog you're reading. Best of all were at least three different spellings of John Pantsil's name. I know there are two official ways of spelling it, but at least use one consistently rather than trying both out and then making up a third.
The players individually all displayed a lot more quality than our hallowed pitch has seen of late but collectively the teams didn't come up with much of a spectacle. It was a shame but perfectly understandable as they'd been involved in the final African Cup of Nations qualifiers at the weekend. Nigeria got knocked out so must have been demoralised, whilst Ghana had got through, but even so must have thought this was a game they could've done without. So 0-0 was predictable and watched in isolation this was probably a pretty boring game. But the fans more than made up for it.
So I wasn't going to miss the chance to experience that kind of atmosphere at the ground I know and love the most. Okay so the crowd was much smaller, but the Ghana fans came with exactly the same intentions to party and the Nigerian fans had similar ideas. The result was a unique atmosphere at the Vic, the likes of which the stewards or police weren't sure what to do with. Luckily they took the sensible option of just letting everyone get on with having a good time and made no effort to stop the various bands, drums, trumpets and vuvuzuelas that had been brought into the ground.
Richard and Tim on Radio Hornet sensibly didn't try to compete much with the noise. It was good to hear them though and they were one of the few notes of familiarity in an otherwise pretty bizarre evening. Even the programme wasn't produced by the club. It was two thirds full of unusual adverts and contained more typos and mistakes than the very blog you're reading. Best of all were at least three different spellings of John Pantsil's name. I know there are two official ways of spelling it, but at least use one consistently rather than trying both out and then making up a third.
The players individually all displayed a lot more quality than our hallowed pitch has seen of late but collectively the teams didn't come up with much of a spectacle. It was a shame but perfectly understandable as they'd been involved in the final African Cup of Nations qualifiers at the weekend. Nigeria got knocked out so must have been demoralised, whilst Ghana had got through, but even so must have thought this was a game they could've done without. So 0-0 was predictable and watched in isolation this was probably a pretty boring game. But the fans more than made up for it.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Joining the Order- Watford 2 Millwall 1
As instructed I thought about Steve Brister as the teams came out. I never actually met him but had read his name several times in fanzines and on the net and did appreciate the t-shirt he put together when GT retired. Last year I got chatting to one of his mates who was collecting for BT buddies and was moved by their commitment and dedication to the charity that meant so much to Steve. I love Z Cars and would usually never hope that it was replaced but I did wonder whether the teams might come out to 'Yellow' by Coldplay in tribute to him as had been kind of hinted at in the programme. If you interested in finding out more about BT buddies click here.
A minutes silence was held before kick off in memory of Dennis Gibbs, Nigel's Dad, who passed away last Thursday. An amazing jack of all trades for Watford Football club Dennis covered the jobs of coaching, match reporting, scouting and even maintenance manager in his years of service at the Vic.
It was a shame that at least one moronic creature situated in the away end decided to chant right at the beginning of the silence but a credit to those people around him who had the decency to tell him to shut up. Thanks Millwall fans, that was appreciated.
I watched the first half from my usual vantage point in the Rous, but I was pleased to see that the Yellow Order had remained down in the south west corner of the Rookery and so at half time I made my way round to sit near enough to them to join in, but far enough away that I didn't have to stand up the whole time (I'm getting old, sorry I can't help it).
It was great to be able to sing out loud without feeling slightly self conscious (as anyone who has ever attempted to sing in the Rous will have felt) and once we went one down but kept on singing there was a satisfying feeling of having helped when first Dickinson and then Forsyth scored to secure the win. If anyone is thinking of unofficially relocating, and the great thing about our stadium is unless you're in the Vic Rd end its very easy to do, then I'd recommend it. I'm not saying I'll give up my Rous seat permanently but I'll give the order another try for the Palace game and see how the half where we aren't shooting towards the Rookery feels.
As for the game, it was yet another where we were in the ascendancy when we conceded but thank god this time we were able to come back and not just for a point. However my first half vantage point did give me a very good view of Millwall's disallowed goal and bloody hell we were lucky and didn't actually deserve that luck. Four of our defenders stood next to each other for their free kick, not marking the three Milwall players who sensibly chose to stand the other side of the little group of yellow shirts. It was an easy decision where to put the free kick and no surprise that the ball ended up in the back of the net. The offside was probably only by a fraction, but had it been given the lino wouldn't have been the one I'd have pointed the finger at. I spend most Sunday mornings telling my son's team to mark up. You don't expect to have to tell a bunch of Championship defenders. I sincerely hope Dychy did.
A minutes silence was held before kick off in memory of Dennis Gibbs, Nigel's Dad, who passed away last Thursday. An amazing jack of all trades for Watford Football club Dennis covered the jobs of coaching, match reporting, scouting and even maintenance manager in his years of service at the Vic.
It was a shame that at least one moronic creature situated in the away end decided to chant right at the beginning of the silence but a credit to those people around him who had the decency to tell him to shut up. Thanks Millwall fans, that was appreciated.
I watched the first half from my usual vantage point in the Rous, but I was pleased to see that the Yellow Order had remained down in the south west corner of the Rookery and so at half time I made my way round to sit near enough to them to join in, but far enough away that I didn't have to stand up the whole time (I'm getting old, sorry I can't help it).
It was great to be able to sing out loud without feeling slightly self conscious (as anyone who has ever attempted to sing in the Rous will have felt) and once we went one down but kept on singing there was a satisfying feeling of having helped when first Dickinson and then Forsyth scored to secure the win. If anyone is thinking of unofficially relocating, and the great thing about our stadium is unless you're in the Vic Rd end its very easy to do, then I'd recommend it. I'm not saying I'll give up my Rous seat permanently but I'll give the order another try for the Palace game and see how the half where we aren't shooting towards the Rookery feels.
As for the game, it was yet another where we were in the ascendancy when we conceded but thank god this time we were able to come back and not just for a point. However my first half vantage point did give me a very good view of Millwall's disallowed goal and bloody hell we were lucky and didn't actually deserve that luck. Four of our defenders stood next to each other for their free kick, not marking the three Milwall players who sensibly chose to stand the other side of the little group of yellow shirts. It was an easy decision where to put the free kick and no surprise that the ball ended up in the back of the net. The offside was probably only by a fraction, but had it been given the lino wouldn't have been the one I'd have pointed the finger at. I spend most Sunday mornings telling my son's team to mark up. You don't expect to have to tell a bunch of Championship defenders. I sincerely hope Dychy did.
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Hope for the future - Watford 0 Nottingham Forest 1
Can we never again play Forest at home live on the BBC? The last time we did this was my 15th birthday and we lost 3-0 in the FA Cup Fifth Round. I was as gutted then as I was today. Walking back to the car I could hardly come up with any positives. We probably should never have lost this. Forest were poor. Worse than Derby, on a par with Reading. We had more chances and their goal, as you will have seen if you managed to stay awake, was comical. I can't imagine we did BBC2's chances of beating The X Factor in the TV ratings any good at all. The lack of Andy Wiemann just making stuff happen up front, even if he never does manage to score, was very telling today.
Moving the Yellow Order was definitely a good move and for once the home crowd was louder than those in the away end. In fact Forest were the quietest away support I can remember for ages. But then it must be very hard to get enthuiastic if you can remember winning the European Cup twice, when you've got Steve McLaren in charge of your club and your prospects for the season already look mid-table at best.
Can we now keep the Yellow Order there for the remainder of the season please? Its stupid having them in the top corner of the Rookery furthest from the rest of the support. It makes it look like they aren't wanted. Putting them next to the Rous definitely rubbed off on us a bit today, although expecting us to start chants is going a step too far. I was impressed to see Bas chatting to them before the game started.
Moving the Yellow Order was definitely a good move and for once the home crowd was louder than those in the away end. In fact Forest were the quietest away support I can remember for ages. But then it must be very hard to get enthuiastic if you can remember winning the European Cup twice, when you've got Steve McLaren in charge of your club and your prospects for the season already look mid-table at best.
Can we now keep the Yellow Order there for the remainder of the season please? Its stupid having them in the top corner of the Rookery furthest from the rest of the support. It makes it look like they aren't wanted. Putting them next to the Rous definitely rubbed off on us a bit today, although expecting us to start chants is going a step too far. I was impressed to see Bas chatting to them before the game started.
Talking of chairmen did anyone else notice Jack Petchey's presence in the ground? Thankfully it was only his name on the side of the RAF band's drum but even so, a chill passed over me as I spotted it.
I know fans were being encouraged to wear green this weekend in support of Plymouth but I'm guessing that really was Forest's away kit and not just a one off worn in support of the Pilgrims. As a kit on its own it was just about okay but whoever came up with idea of having the coaching staff wearing the same design with the black and green reversed deserves the Howard and Hilda award for fashion. I bet it seemed like a good idea on paper but it was laughably stupid when made into fabric.
The referee was laughably stupid all afternoon, but I think his penchant for giving most decisions the way of our visitors, not to mention ignoring their time wasting and even wanting to shake hands with their substitued players, can all be explained by the fact that the officials tops weren't that far from the traditional Forest red.
It was good to see the various Academy players before kick off and at half time, especially with their impressive assortment of trophies. Whilst this season already seems to have a long and rather bleak look about it, the parade of eager and determined young faces in Watford yellow hinted at better things to come. But I'd be more hopeful for our immediate prospects if Sean Dyche gave the youngsters a bit more of a look in. Malky seemed to share the Aidy B philosophy that if you were good enough age wasn't a barrier and whilst sometimes it cost us, it seemed like the right direction for our club with its wonderful academy to be going in.
Dychy seems to prefer experience over youth and so far that experience isn't any better than when we had 8 or 9 youngsters in the team. I can see that some experienced heads are needed but we had them anyway in the likes of Doyley, Mariappa, Taylor and Eustace. On their own I don't especially dislike any of the new signings but collectively they seem to have dragged us back to another era. If the youth aren't going to play then at least fill the bench with them. Because bringing on Deeney and Iwelumo first, when neither have shown the slightest inclining that they might be the answer, instead of a prospect like Sean Murray showed a complete lack of understanding in one of the key areas that makes us different. I feel exactly the same about the loaning of Whichelow, Massey and Thompson. They shouldn't be off playing elsewhere, they should be at the Vic, ready to fight for their place and prove themselves ready to play for the club that developed them. Its gives them hope and gives us hope. Failing to get that, especially on 'Academy Day' and we might as well be a Sheffield United or a Crystal Palace. And that doesn't give me any hope for the future at all.
Dychy seems to prefer experience over youth and so far that experience isn't any better than when we had 8 or 9 youngsters in the team. I can see that some experienced heads are needed but we had them anyway in the likes of Doyley, Mariappa, Taylor and Eustace. On their own I don't especially dislike any of the new signings but collectively they seem to have dragged us back to another era. If the youth aren't going to play then at least fill the bench with them. Because bringing on Deeney and Iwelumo first, when neither have shown the slightest inclining that they might be the answer, instead of a prospect like Sean Murray showed a complete lack of understanding in one of the key areas that makes us different. I feel exactly the same about the loaning of Whichelow, Massey and Thompson. They shouldn't be off playing elsewhere, they should be at the Vic, ready to fight for their place and prove themselves ready to play for the club that developed them. Its gives them hope and gives us hope. Failing to get that, especially on 'Academy Day' and we might as well be a Sheffield United or a Crystal Palace. And that doesn't give me any hope for the future at all.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Gelling- Reading 0 Watford 2
This was my third trip to Reading and the third time I've experienced no problems getting off the M4, none parking and none getting away quickly from the ground. Possibly these are urban myths or, more likely, Reading fans just don't turn out in great numbers when Watford come to visit. I got off the M4 just after 2pm and was parked within 5 minutes, albeit minus £8.
As new grounds go I quite like the Mad Stad. Its rather unusual to find the away end is the first bit of the ground you reach (excepting the Vic), rather than the usual walking all the way round the ground or, as at Forest, having to navigate a completely different set of streets to get to the right turnstile.
Even better the whole concourse of the South Stand was open meaning it was easy to get food and go to the loo, etc. We'd been given about 2/3 of the seats and I only sat in my allotted seat for two minutes before deciding it was too close to the front and moving further back and across with no complaints from the stewards.
It was a surprise, but not a lie, to say we won this comfortably. Reading were poor, not as bad as Derby but not much better. After Yeates put us ahead with a lovely free kick, it looked like there may have been a couple of hairy moments down the other end, though for our vantage point it was difficult to tell how close they were. But once Eustace put us 2 up early in the second half there was nothing to worry Scott and the travelling 'Orns behind his goal.
Most pleasing was seeing just how well the new boys in the team are gelling. Carl Dickinson was very assured at left back and its great to see him engaging and encouraging the fans Mooney-style at such an early stage in his Watford career. Jonathan Hogg begins to look like the answer in midfield with a confident display which complimented the best bits of John Eustace's game. Craig Forsyth just seems like a taller version of that other Scottish player we once had whose name I can't now recall (Cow-something?).
Andy Weimann was immense and put in one of his best displays in a Watford shirt. He ran and ran and ran some more, constantly stretching the Reading defence and deserved a goal for his work-rate. Marvin had a quiet game which is understandable after his recent England adventures. Joe Garner looked useful and I thought did enough to be preferred to Deeney and Iwelumo who both appeared in the second half.
Jobi McAnuff unusually didn't put in a decent display against one of his former clubs. I always used to feel that whenever Palace sang the 'You're not good enough' song he tried far harder than usual in a Watford shirt. However today, with the captain's armband on, he just didn't deliver although this might have been because Eustace chopped him in half after about 2 minutes much to our amusement.
A good win and the future suddenly looks quite bright with a trip to Barnsley next week followed by the visit of Steve McLaren's woeful Forest in two weeks.
As new grounds go I quite like the Mad Stad. Its rather unusual to find the away end is the first bit of the ground you reach (excepting the Vic), rather than the usual walking all the way round the ground or, as at Forest, having to navigate a completely different set of streets to get to the right turnstile.
Even better the whole concourse of the South Stand was open meaning it was easy to get food and go to the loo, etc. We'd been given about 2/3 of the seats and I only sat in my allotted seat for two minutes before deciding it was too close to the front and moving further back and across with no complaints from the stewards.
It was a surprise, but not a lie, to say we won this comfortably. Reading were poor, not as bad as Derby but not much better. After Yeates put us ahead with a lovely free kick, it looked like there may have been a couple of hairy moments down the other end, though for our vantage point it was difficult to tell how close they were. But once Eustace put us 2 up early in the second half there was nothing to worry Scott and the travelling 'Orns behind his goal.
Most pleasing was seeing just how well the new boys in the team are gelling. Carl Dickinson was very assured at left back and its great to see him engaging and encouraging the fans Mooney-style at such an early stage in his Watford career. Jonathan Hogg begins to look like the answer in midfield with a confident display which complimented the best bits of John Eustace's game. Craig Forsyth just seems like a taller version of that other Scottish player we once had whose name I can't now recall (Cow-something?).
Andy Weimann was immense and put in one of his best displays in a Watford shirt. He ran and ran and ran some more, constantly stretching the Reading defence and deserved a goal for his work-rate. Marvin had a quiet game which is understandable after his recent England adventures. Joe Garner looked useful and I thought did enough to be preferred to Deeney and Iwelumo who both appeared in the second half.
Jobi McAnuff unusually didn't put in a decent display against one of his former clubs. I always used to feel that whenever Palace sang the 'You're not good enough' song he tried far harder than usual in a Watford shirt. However today, with the captain's armband on, he just didn't deliver although this might have been because Eustace chopped him in half after about 2 minutes much to our amusement.
A good win and the future suddenly looks quite bright with a trip to Barnsley next week followed by the visit of Steve McLaren's woeful Forest in two weeks.
Thursday, September 01, 2011
National Tea Towel Parade- England Under 21's 6 Azerbaijan Under 21's 0
I remember fondly the last Under 21 international at Vicarage Road which took place 23 years ago. My mate Laurence and I refer to it regularly because it was at the time, and probably remains, one of the most boring games we'd ever witnessed. For years afterwards we ceased using words like boring, dull and grim and instead would use 'Denmark Under 21's' to describe anything bad that happened.
Henri Lansbury got a very warm reception and had a wonderful game including scoring a brilliant and very unlikely goal to put England 2 up. Jordan Henderson and then Martin Waghorn both competed with him for goal of the night with spectacular long range efforts.
Marvin Sordell appeared mid way through the second half and had a lively and entertaining Under 21 debut, but he must have been disappointed (despite claiming it couldn't have gone better) that he missed three good chances. I couldn't help thinking that to become regularly involved alongside this mostly Premiership squad he needed to put away at least one of them. However Stuart Pearce said some positive things about him so hopefully he'll get another chance.
My favourite bit of the night was actually the National Flag Parade which took place before the national anthems. It was like a Subbuteo equivilent to that which takes places at a full Wembley international. There you get a military regiment marching whilst holding flags that are about a quarter of the size of the pitch. At the Vic you get a few ballboys jogging randomly around holding two tea towels with the English and Azerbaijan flags printed on them. Classy. Especially the way they held these up to the crowd for applause at the end of the 'parade'. I can't wait for a similar performance at Ghana-Nigeria next month.
Whether we'll get another chance at an England Under 21 international for a long time I doubt. A crowd of 7,738 was the second lowest crowd for a home England game at this level for two years. Only Colchester's Weston Homes Community Stadium provided fewer fans when, a year ago, 500 less turned up for a 3-0 win against Lithuania. In comparison almost 18,000 turned up for a friendly against Norway at Southampton over the summer. You'd have thought with no football now at the Vic for three weeks and Marvin's inclusion a few more would've bothered.
Luckily this was about as far away from Denmark Under 21's as you could get. It may have been against lowly Azerbaijan, or Azkaban as my Harry Potter obsessed kids insisted on calling them, but England were very impressive in every department. Azerbaijan didn't even have a particularly bad game or do much wrong. England were just much too good for them in the way Man U were against Arsenal at the weekend.
Henri Lansbury got a very warm reception and had a wonderful game including scoring a brilliant and very unlikely goal to put England 2 up. Jordan Henderson and then Martin Waghorn both competed with him for goal of the night with spectacular long range efforts.
Marvin Sordell appeared mid way through the second half and had a lively and entertaining Under 21 debut, but he must have been disappointed (despite claiming it couldn't have gone better) that he missed three good chances. I couldn't help thinking that to become regularly involved alongside this mostly Premiership squad he needed to put away at least one of them. However Stuart Pearce said some positive things about him so hopefully he'll get another chance.
My favourite bit of the night was actually the National Flag Parade which took place before the national anthems. It was like a Subbuteo equivilent to that which takes places at a full Wembley international. There you get a military regiment marching whilst holding flags that are about a quarter of the size of the pitch. At the Vic you get a few ballboys jogging randomly around holding two tea towels with the English and Azerbaijan flags printed on them. Classy. Especially the way they held these up to the crowd for applause at the end of the 'parade'. I can't wait for a similar performance at Ghana-Nigeria next month.
Whether we'll get another chance at an England Under 21 international for a long time I doubt. A crowd of 7,738 was the second lowest crowd for a home England game at this level for two years. Only Colchester's Weston Homes Community Stadium provided fewer fans when, a year ago, 500 less turned up for a 3-0 win against Lithuania. In comparison almost 18,000 turned up for a friendly against Norway at Southampton over the summer. You'd have thought with no football now at the Vic for three weeks and Marvin's inclusion a few more would've bothered.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
What Its All About- Watford 2 Birmingham City 2
After 260 minutes of watching this season I had maybe begun to forget exactly what its all about. Was this football experience just watching us pass it around, never really looking like scoring, hoping that it'll end 0-0 before the inevitable gloom sinks in as the opposition takes the lead?
The best bit of the afternoon until THEN had actually not been on the pitch at all, but the moment Radio Hornet played the I've haven't heard it for ages ode to masturbation by the Divinyls 'I touch myself'. Good move. Did it have anything to do with the fact Tommy Mooney had been on the pitch moments beforehand?
Any-way, at around 4-50pm finally IT happened. The reason we all go. That bloody magic, moment of unbridled joy allowing us to jump up and down, to scream and shout and hug, the best feelings of Christmas and birthdays and parties and being drunk and probably even having sex all rolled in to one. WE SCORED A GOAL. And not just a goal of the mundane type Birmingham scored twice but a bloody fantastic Marvin Sordell rocket into the corner of the net that made the goal bulge goal. Happy pandemonium reigned. It was wonderful.
Alas, the happy high of the after glow of this moment didn't last long as our visitors unsportingly scored again and it seemed we'd go home with that feeling just a distant memory as the gloom replaced it once more.
But Marvin wasn't having it. Deep into injury time and he unleashed another shot of even more power and venom but this time Myhill got in the way and the ball ballooned off him and shot upwards. It was one of those slow motion moments. The entire ground seemed to hold its breathe, everyone focussed on the journey of the ball as it reached its summit and returned to earth. Only one man in the stadium moved. Martin Taylor ran forward and met the ball with his head and placed it safely into the net. Time returned to normal and happy pandemonium reigned for a second time. And we weren't to be denied the wonderful feeling of walking back to the car with the happy after-glow lingering. Yes, it may have only been a draw. But it was wonderful. And its the reason why I go.
The best bit of the afternoon until THEN had actually not been on the pitch at all, but the moment Radio Hornet played the I've haven't heard it for ages ode to masturbation by the Divinyls 'I touch myself'. Good move. Did it have anything to do with the fact Tommy Mooney had been on the pitch moments beforehand?
Any-way, at around 4-50pm finally IT happened. The reason we all go. That bloody magic, moment of unbridled joy allowing us to jump up and down, to scream and shout and hug, the best feelings of Christmas and birthdays and parties and being drunk and probably even having sex all rolled in to one. WE SCORED A GOAL. And not just a goal of the mundane type Birmingham scored twice but a bloody fantastic Marvin Sordell rocket into the corner of the net that made the goal bulge goal. Happy pandemonium reigned. It was wonderful.
Alas, the happy high of the after glow of this moment didn't last long as our visitors unsportingly scored again and it seemed we'd go home with that feeling just a distant memory as the gloom replaced it once more.
But Marvin wasn't having it. Deep into injury time and he unleashed another shot of even more power and venom but this time Myhill got in the way and the ball ballooned off him and shot upwards. It was one of those slow motion moments. The entire ground seemed to hold its breathe, everyone focussed on the journey of the ball as it reached its summit and returned to earth. Only one man in the stadium moved. Martin Taylor ran forward and met the ball with his head and placed it safely into the net. Time returned to normal and happy pandemonium reigned for a second time. And we weren't to be denied the wonderful feeling of walking back to the car with the happy after-glow lingering. Yes, it may have only been a draw. But it was wonderful. And its the reason why I go.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Bristol Rovers 1 Watford 1 (Rovers win 4-2 on pens)
I successfully heard the extra time on HornetsPlayer with no problem. Same old same old again. We should've won. Lots of shots and possession. And yet, apart from Sordell, Lloyd Doyley sounded like our most dangerous player. Gilmartin sounded no better than Loach. Buaban's much awaited debut didn't sound up to much. I reckon he'll be another Scott Severin. Bloody hell. We needed a win tonight, not sodding extra time followed by a loss on penalties. If we'd made 10 changes and lost then fine. To make it worse Don bloomin' Cowie scored twice as well. Not a good night.
Monday, August 22, 2011
HornetsPlayer- Club apology
To be fair, the two times I've had problems with HornetsPlayer this season the club have apologised. I know this isn't always the case with others who've complained in the past and been told they're doing something wrong.
But as this has appeared on the club website today...
http://www.watfordfc.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10400~2428498,00.html
and as I'd banged on about it in my last post I thought it only right to acknowledge the club's apology here.
I look forward to giving HornetPlayer another go tomorrow night for the Bristol Rovers match.
But as this has appeared on the club website today...
http://www.watfordfc.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10400~2428498,00.html
and as I'd banged on about it in my last post I thought it only right to acknowledge the club's apology here.
I look forward to giving HornetPlayer another go tomorrow night for the Bristol Rovers match.
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Coventry City 0 Watford 0
For the second time this season I attempted to listen in to the Three Counties commentary via HornetsPlayer. I do realise I reside within one of the three counties that 3CR is suppose to broadcast to, but you try picking up a half decent FM signal when your house is deep in one of the valleys of High Wycombe. Therefore, on the rare occasions when I'm not actually at a ground or on kids duty internet commentary is pretty important to me. Not as important though as for @3Lions4Ever trying to listen in from the US today or @MadridHornet currently residing in Spain. They aren't able to get in the car, drive for a half a mile and get to hear Luke Ashmead and the brilliantly enlightening Tommy Mooney (another thing he is a legend for) on the car stereo.
Todays attempt to listen was, if anything, more annoying than on the opening day of the season when for the first ten minutes HornetsPlayer listeners got to hear the McDonalds v Huddersfield commentary. A truly anti-climatic start to the season yes, but it at least it was commentary. This afternoon I simply couldn't log in. Every time I entered my user name and password (and I checked I was using the right one several times) I was never allowed to get any further. The URL changed automatically and seemed to suggest I was being taken to a logging out page. Great. I tried emptying my cache, resetting Safari and using Chrome instead. Nothing worked. After 15 minutes I gave up and played a game of Happy Families. But my mind wasn't really on it and I eventually found an excuse to drive up to Flackwell Heath and gradually 3CR emerged from the abyss.
What I heard sounded like the same old same old from the Burnley and Derby games. Lots of chances, lots of should haves but no actual proper goals. At least we didn't concede. Its very frustrating particularly because, again, we sounded like the better side. There is that depressing thought that in a parallel universe somewhere there is Watford team with 9 points rather than 2, and as Derby are proving, once you start winning its a easy habit to get into however awful you might be. Maybe in that parallel universe West Ham didn't score after 3 minutes and we went on to sneak a 1-0 win.
Any-way, the point is HornetsPlayer sort it out! Its not difficult to provide internet commentary. I listen a lot to the WGN commentary on the Chicago Cubs via the MLB website. In 5 years of doing this I've never had one problem. They even record the commentary so if you miss the game you can still listen to it as live.
I, and I'm sure a lot of others, don't bother subscribing to HornetsPlayer for anything other than the 3CR commentary. So if it doesn't work at 3pm or 7.45pm or whenever we are just kicking off there isn't actually a lot of point in subscribing at all. I'll certainly think twice when its time to renew.
On the pitch we clearly need a new striker along side Marvin. Sadly Troy Deeney doesn't seem to be the answer anymore than Big Chris. We also need a big dose of self-belief and some luck. Lets hope it appears on Tuesday and, crucially, continues into next weekend for the visit of Birmingham City.
Todays attempt to listen was, if anything, more annoying than on the opening day of the season when for the first ten minutes HornetsPlayer listeners got to hear the McDonalds v Huddersfield commentary. A truly anti-climatic start to the season yes, but it at least it was commentary. This afternoon I simply couldn't log in. Every time I entered my user name and password (and I checked I was using the right one several times) I was never allowed to get any further. The URL changed automatically and seemed to suggest I was being taken to a logging out page. Great. I tried emptying my cache, resetting Safari and using Chrome instead. Nothing worked. After 15 minutes I gave up and played a game of Happy Families. But my mind wasn't really on it and I eventually found an excuse to drive up to Flackwell Heath and gradually 3CR emerged from the abyss.
What I heard sounded like the same old same old from the Burnley and Derby games. Lots of chances, lots of should haves but no actual proper goals. At least we didn't concede. Its very frustrating particularly because, again, we sounded like the better side. There is that depressing thought that in a parallel universe somewhere there is Watford team with 9 points rather than 2, and as Derby are proving, once you start winning its a easy habit to get into however awful you might be. Maybe in that parallel universe West Ham didn't score after 3 minutes and we went on to sneak a 1-0 win.
Any-way, the point is HornetsPlayer sort it out! Its not difficult to provide internet commentary. I listen a lot to the WGN commentary on the Chicago Cubs via the MLB website. In 5 years of doing this I've never had one problem. They even record the commentary so if you miss the game you can still listen to it as live.
I, and I'm sure a lot of others, don't bother subscribing to HornetsPlayer for anything other than the 3CR commentary. So if it doesn't work at 3pm or 7.45pm or whenever we are just kicking off there isn't actually a lot of point in subscribing at all. I'll certainly think twice when its time to renew.
On the pitch we clearly need a new striker along side Marvin. Sadly Troy Deeney doesn't seem to be the answer anymore than Big Chris. We also need a big dose of self-belief and some luck. Lets hope it appears on Tuesday and, crucially, continues into next weekend for the visit of Birmingham City.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Watford 0 West Ham United 4
There is nothing quite as depressing in football as that moment you go 3-0 down. If it was snooker it is at that moment that you'd concede so everyone could do the sensible thing and go home. Of course only the insane never leave early brigade like myself were still there at the end anyway (along with a few thousand Cockneys).
West Ham have that same sickly smarmy smell of Premiership arrogance about them that Newcastle did two years ago. The sooner they are out of the Football League the happier we'll all be.
The picture of Sam Allardyce on page 15 of the programme is one of the most grotesque things I've ever seen.
I'm liking the retro stuff in the programme. Leafing through history, Cozzi's classic and On this day are all brilliant. I especially enjoyed the Wobby report of the 4-2 away win at Upton Park.
Chris Iwelumo runs as if he is treading water. Is he injured or is that just how he runs?
His signature move is the chest down.
It was impressive that Gavin Massey, who must have less than half the body mass of Big Chris, managed to win the same number of headers as him tonight..
The new Post QPR dawn of no away fans worked well. There were none in my bit of the Rous and only a couple in the Rookery. Probably the best bit of the night was seeing them get thrown out.
We weren't terrible tonight. West Ham were far too good for us and yet we were still able to put together some passages of play which hinted at better things to come. However, Saturday away at pointless Coventry is very much the time for the better things to show themselves.
Incidentally if, by some quirk of time travel, you are reading this and the date is the 23rd October 1993 then ignore me on my first point. Don't leave! You'll seriously regret it if you do. Gary Porter, get in there....
West Ham have that same sickly smarmy smell of Premiership arrogance about them that Newcastle did two years ago. The sooner they are out of the Football League the happier we'll all be.
The picture of Sam Allardyce on page 15 of the programme is one of the most grotesque things I've ever seen.
I'm liking the retro stuff in the programme. Leafing through history, Cozzi's classic and On this day are all brilliant. I especially enjoyed the Wobby report of the 4-2 away win at Upton Park.
Chris Iwelumo runs as if he is treading water. Is he injured or is that just how he runs?
His signature move is the chest down.
It was impressive that Gavin Massey, who must have less than half the body mass of Big Chris, managed to win the same number of headers as him tonight..
The new Post QPR dawn of no away fans worked well. There were none in my bit of the Rous and only a couple in the Rookery. Probably the best bit of the night was seeing them get thrown out.
We weren't terrible tonight. West Ham were far too good for us and yet we were still able to put together some passages of play which hinted at better things to come. However, Saturday away at pointless Coventry is very much the time for the better things to show themselves.
Incidentally if, by some quirk of time travel, you are reading this and the date is the 23rd October 1993 then ignore me on my first point. Don't leave! You'll seriously regret it if you do. Gary Porter, get in there....
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Watford 0 Derby County 1
Artistic merit, shots, corners, passes, pretty much anything other than goals scored (and yellow cards) and we won this game handsomely.
Darren Deadman is a very odd ref. Why did he only want to award things to the team shooting towards the Vic Rd End?
So we've still got that crappy scoreboard then. The screen looked good though. For those of us down the Rookery end of the Rous it would be nice to have the second screen up soon.
Dychy is keeping up the Malky tradition of making his subs too late.
I originally hated the 7 subs but now we've gone back to 5 I can really see why they're a good idea.
Not having multi-ball in use is definitely a good thing.
People are being a bit too quick to start on Iwelumo. Give him a chance.
Nice to see that the Vic is being turned back into Watford FC'c ground rather than the corporate nothingness that was the VR Stadium. Good move Bas.
Hello Again
Okay okay I've finally been tempted to blog again. But not as much or as long this time. No stats and only a few thoughts about each game (with big apologies to bhappy. I'm not trying to copy your thunks).
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