Having read the various reviews of yesterdays game I'm feeling quite negative about the new style of play.
Why do we, Watford, famous for our great direct style, want to suddenly become one of the teams that seems to think we should get points for artistic impression?
I've been going through my old programmes recently and came across an article Bobby Robson wrote in an England programme defending his employment of Graham Taylor as England youth manager. The criticism's were two fold. One, Taylor was a club manager already and hadn't got the time. Two, Watford's direct style.
Robson's response was brilliant. He'd counted the efforts on goal Watford had achieved in our last league game. We managed 33. 'Nuff said really.
I suspect a critic of this style is now sitting in the very office where Taylor used to plan the downfall of teams like Sunderland by 8 stonking goals. Those plans would never have included back passing a free kick in the oppositions half.
As in the Vialli days, I fear my faith is going to be tested again.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Different- Watford 1 Doncaster Rovers 1
Different. This was very very different.
Not tinkering with things a bit different, but lets forget everything we've ever learnt or done and start completely from scratch different.
Given that Brendan only met the players on Wednesday it was a very brave move to implement such a scheme in an important league match just 78 hours later.
That's probably the context in which this afternoon should be seen.
Loads of things didn't work at all. Lots of things went wrong. But for a first attempt this was just about okay.
Possession is the main mantra. Keep possession of the ball no matter what.
Even if this means constantly passing it between Loach and the back four. Or even if it means back passing a promising looking free kick as new man Bridcutt did a couple of times.
But it also meant occasionally, very occasionally when there was an opening, quite breathtaking play between Smith, Williamson, Jenkins, Harley, Hoskins, McAnuff and Priskin.
One such move lead to our goal although Priskin was trying to shoot when he crossed the ball and Tommy Smith slid it home.
Unfortunately another mantra seemed to be sit on a lead. Now I understand if you're at Chelsea this probably works well. The other team are unlikely to get back into the game if you're world class and you'll probably get one or two more despite being in defensive mode.
When you are Watford, especially a Watford that has recently leaked goals, its very risky. So it proved. For the 40 minutes between the goals we passed it around with an awkwardness that Doncaster did surprisingly little to challenge.
Brendan then made the mistake that probably cost us 3 points. He took off the attacking Bridcutt who clearly has been bought in to show the rest of them how its supposed to be done and put on the one player who is going to struggle the most with the new way of doing things, Lloyd Doyley. Presumably this was done to ensure it remained 1-0.
Well it remained that way for less than 60 seconds after Lloyd had run on. Not that he cost us the goal. In a move almost identical to ours, Brooker (who else) scored, the only difference was that the cross he met was a genuine cross rather than a misguided shot.
Having gone all defensive unfortunately we appeared to have no plan B. None at all. We continued to pass the ball around but the players looked like they were waiting for one another to suddenly ditch the new style and go back to Route 1 Boothroyd style.
The passing became sloppy and we kept giving the ball away, especially poor Lloyd, but he was by no means the only culprit. For a while Donnie were all over us and it looked nastily like we were facing another Blackpool situation.
The referee didn't help. He was a stickler for the rules sometimes restricting the follow of the play so much that you would've thought you were watching American Football. The man behind me suggested he was on commission for the amount of cards he dished out. The only surprise was that none of them were red.
At any point after Doncaster's goal Brendan could have and should have stepped in. He'd only made two substitutions and we needed to go back to an attacking formation. Even if it had meant Doyley only appearing for two minutes Liam Henderson was desperately required but, alas, never appeared.
Even in added on time the players still didn't look like they knew whether they were allowed to go for it or not. Loach particularly wasn't sure if he still had to pass it or could just boot it and so did neither whilst the crowd were urging him to get rid of it as the seconds ticked away. As we did look to launch one last attack the final whsitle blew and boos echoed around the stadium. This was rather harsh but I think its because we felt we shouldn't have been leaving the ground feeling relieved to have got a point.
I don't feel Spurs is really the next match Brendan needed. I fear if we play in a similar style, and I'm sure we will, we could be on the receiving end of 4 or 5.
Not tinkering with things a bit different, but lets forget everything we've ever learnt or done and start completely from scratch different.
Given that Brendan only met the players on Wednesday it was a very brave move to implement such a scheme in an important league match just 78 hours later.
That's probably the context in which this afternoon should be seen.
Loads of things didn't work at all. Lots of things went wrong. But for a first attempt this was just about okay.
Possession is the main mantra. Keep possession of the ball no matter what.
Even if this means constantly passing it between Loach and the back four. Or even if it means back passing a promising looking free kick as new man Bridcutt did a couple of times.
But it also meant occasionally, very occasionally when there was an opening, quite breathtaking play between Smith, Williamson, Jenkins, Harley, Hoskins, McAnuff and Priskin.
One such move lead to our goal although Priskin was trying to shoot when he crossed the ball and Tommy Smith slid it home.
Unfortunately another mantra seemed to be sit on a lead. Now I understand if you're at Chelsea this probably works well. The other team are unlikely to get back into the game if you're world class and you'll probably get one or two more despite being in defensive mode.
When you are Watford, especially a Watford that has recently leaked goals, its very risky. So it proved. For the 40 minutes between the goals we passed it around with an awkwardness that Doncaster did surprisingly little to challenge.
Brendan then made the mistake that probably cost us 3 points. He took off the attacking Bridcutt who clearly has been bought in to show the rest of them how its supposed to be done and put on the one player who is going to struggle the most with the new way of doing things, Lloyd Doyley. Presumably this was done to ensure it remained 1-0.
Well it remained that way for less than 60 seconds after Lloyd had run on. Not that he cost us the goal. In a move almost identical to ours, Brooker (who else) scored, the only difference was that the cross he met was a genuine cross rather than a misguided shot.
Having gone all defensive unfortunately we appeared to have no plan B. None at all. We continued to pass the ball around but the players looked like they were waiting for one another to suddenly ditch the new style and go back to Route 1 Boothroyd style.
The passing became sloppy and we kept giving the ball away, especially poor Lloyd, but he was by no means the only culprit. For a while Donnie were all over us and it looked nastily like we were facing another Blackpool situation.
The referee didn't help. He was a stickler for the rules sometimes restricting the follow of the play so much that you would've thought you were watching American Football. The man behind me suggested he was on commission for the amount of cards he dished out. The only surprise was that none of them were red.
At any point after Doncaster's goal Brendan could have and should have stepped in. He'd only made two substitutions and we needed to go back to an attacking formation. Even if it had meant Doyley only appearing for two minutes Liam Henderson was desperately required but, alas, never appeared.
Even in added on time the players still didn't look like they knew whether they were allowed to go for it or not. Loach particularly wasn't sure if he still had to pass it or could just boot it and so did neither whilst the crowd were urging him to get rid of it as the seconds ticked away. As we did look to launch one last attack the final whsitle blew and boos echoed around the stadium. This was rather harsh but I think its because we felt we shouldn't have been leaving the ground feeling relieved to have got a point.
I don't feel Spurs is really the next match Brendan needed. I fear if we play in a similar style, and I'm sure we will, we could be on the receiving end of 4 or 5.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
A Point- Bristol City 1 Watford 1
Only a point but a good one. No Eustace or Raziak. Be interesting to see how the team lines up on Saturday. Other than Tommy I don't think anyone is assured of a place.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Kenny?
Not quite as good as Buck is it?
Well he's wasted no time in getting his team together and happily it does include Malky, Dyche and Alec.
I can't say I'm particularly bothered by the departure of Martin Hunter. Hailed as a great coup when we poached him from Norwich before the 2007/8 season his arrival really marked the beginning of the end of the Boothroyd era.
I've not read anywhere what's happened to Keith Burkinshaw but I hope we'd keep him on in some capacity as he's been very good to us which I really didn't expect. To me he was Spurs through and through so having hired and then released him I thought he was a top bloke to still come to our games, and it was very good of him to come back and help Malky out. Frank Lampard Snr is identical (whilst in Claret rather than White) and it would be nice if we could end up saying the same about him.
As for Brendan, a mate of mine at work commented if he was good enough for Mourinho then he must be quality. I tend to agree but am trying not to get my hopes up too high.
Well he's wasted no time in getting his team together and happily it does include Malky, Dyche and Alec.
I can't say I'm particularly bothered by the departure of Martin Hunter. Hailed as a great coup when we poached him from Norwich before the 2007/8 season his arrival really marked the beginning of the end of the Boothroyd era.
I've not read anywhere what's happened to Keith Burkinshaw but I hope we'd keep him on in some capacity as he's been very good to us which I really didn't expect. To me he was Spurs through and through so having hired and then released him I thought he was a top bloke to still come to our games, and it was very good of him to come back and help Malky out. Frank Lampard Snr is identical (whilst in Claret rather than White) and it would be nice if we could end up saying the same about him.
As for Brendan, a mate of mine at work commented if he was good enough for Mourinho then he must be quality. I tend to agree but am trying not to get my hopes up too high.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Buck
If the BBC and WO are to be believed its Brendan Rodgers in the hot seat sometime tomorrow.
Bit of an Aidy type appointment but thats no bad thing. I think I'd rather have someone new and unknown than either an ex-Watford man trying to relive old glories (unless it was GT himself) or a Championship chugger like Ian Holloway who would tread water at best for a couple of seasons before moving on.
Frank Lampard Snr is apparently coming in to the Keith Burkinshaw role. Hope there is still room for Alec, Dyche and Malky somewhere in the new set up.
Keep us up and we'll be happy. Get us to the League Cup Final and you'll go straight in at No.3 in the all time Watford managers chart. But I'm probably getting a bit ahead of myself now.
Bit of an Aidy type appointment but thats no bad thing. I think I'd rather have someone new and unknown than either an ex-Watford man trying to relive old glories (unless it was GT himself) or a Championship chugger like Ian Holloway who would tread water at best for a couple of seasons before moving on.
Frank Lampard Snr is apparently coming in to the Keith Burkinshaw role. Hope there is still room for Alec, Dyche and Malky somewhere in the new set up.
Keep us up and we'll be happy. Get us to the League Cup Final and you'll go straight in at No.3 in the all time Watford managers chart. But I'm probably getting a bit ahead of myself now.
Surgical?
http://www.watfordfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/MackaysVerdict/0,,10400~1463635,00.html
Don't you mean clinical Malky?
Don't you mean clinical Malky?
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Panto- Watford 3 Queens Park Rangers 0
The season is nearly upon us and this looked like two teams auditioning to join Peter Duncan at Watersmeet.
We played the part of the gallant good guys, having endured managerial set backs, ghost goals, horrendous injuries and an incompetent board we were still battling away. QPR were the rich bad guys who had no scruples when it came to getting what they wanted.
Free gifts had been given out to the audience in the shape of empty carrier bags, which must have done no end of good to the environment. These only seemed to be for the Rous and Vicarage Road end. Maybe there were some for the Rookery end but someone who arrived early nabbed them all.
Alas the audiences opportunity to boo loudly was restricted in that Lee Cook wasn't lining up for QPR. Gavin Mahon was given warm applause but there was no sign of the promised Helgusson who probably would've received a standing ovation.
For the home team Scott Loach was thankfully back, a defensive line up of Doyley, Ward, DeMerit and Mariappa showed what Malky thought of Aidys January transfer dealing. We played the typical Boothroyd kind of fluid midfield/forward line up with only Jenkins as a recognisable midfielder and Priskin the only obvious striker. Smith, Williamson, Harley and McAnuff switched effortlessly between the two.
The game was very evenly matched until we got a bit of luck in getting a penalty for a push on Priskin. This is just the sort of decision that would usually go against us and had it done, the result could so easily have been the other way given our fragile state. Luckily the visitors were in the same state of mind despite being financially so much better off. Once Smith converted QPR wilted and suddenly we were all over them. Every nice move we attempt seemed to come off, none more so than the one which resulted in Darren Ward putting us 2 up.
Gavin Mahon showed why Aidy was right to axe him as he really couldn't handle Tommy Smith at all and towards the latter part of the first half appeared to give up completely. I can't imagine he is going to remain at QPR for to much longer.
Lee Williamson made it three before half time, but given recent events I didn't really feel the usual relaxed bliss a half time 3 goal cushion usually brings. I heard one bloke in the loo say another two and we'll be safe and I couldn't disagree.
Unsurprinsgly Mahon was replaced but the R's were still no better and rather than score goals they played a game of how bad a foul can we commit before one of us gets sent off. The answer was rather a lot. Quite a few yellows were shown including one to an injured Ranger who refused to leave the pitch for treatment before our old friend Fitz Hall (the one who had a fight with Aidy over the ball during the Palace playoff) went too far and scythed down Hoskins to earn a straight red. The panto theme was brought to a close in injury time when Priskin got in a muddle and tackled Tommy Smith for the ball.
It was a shame we couldn't have gone on to score a couple more, but the best thing to come out of the game by far was that our defence looked better than it has done for ages. DeMerit and Ward both had solid games, Doyley was strong in the tackle and only committed one howler whilst Mariappa looked good and made meaningful contributions when going forward.
Scott Loach deserves special mention for just being better at kicking than Richard Lee. Shot stopping wise he is just as good, but his confidence at delivering the ball back to a yellow shirt rather than a ball boy makes a world of difference.
But going back to a point I made earlier had a penalty gone against us rather than for us I do feel you could be reading exactly the same report only with the team names the other way round. For once today, we got some luck and built on it. Will it be enough to get Malky the job? I reckon by the visit of Doncaster we'll know.
We played the part of the gallant good guys, having endured managerial set backs, ghost goals, horrendous injuries and an incompetent board we were still battling away. QPR were the rich bad guys who had no scruples when it came to getting what they wanted.
Free gifts had been given out to the audience in the shape of empty carrier bags, which must have done no end of good to the environment. These only seemed to be for the Rous and Vicarage Road end. Maybe there were some for the Rookery end but someone who arrived early nabbed them all.
Alas the audiences opportunity to boo loudly was restricted in that Lee Cook wasn't lining up for QPR. Gavin Mahon was given warm applause but there was no sign of the promised Helgusson who probably would've received a standing ovation.
For the home team Scott Loach was thankfully back, a defensive line up of Doyley, Ward, DeMerit and Mariappa showed what Malky thought of Aidys January transfer dealing. We played the typical Boothroyd kind of fluid midfield/forward line up with only Jenkins as a recognisable midfielder and Priskin the only obvious striker. Smith, Williamson, Harley and McAnuff switched effortlessly between the two.
The game was very evenly matched until we got a bit of luck in getting a penalty for a push on Priskin. This is just the sort of decision that would usually go against us and had it done, the result could so easily have been the other way given our fragile state. Luckily the visitors were in the same state of mind despite being financially so much better off. Once Smith converted QPR wilted and suddenly we were all over them. Every nice move we attempt seemed to come off, none more so than the one which resulted in Darren Ward putting us 2 up.
Gavin Mahon showed why Aidy was right to axe him as he really couldn't handle Tommy Smith at all and towards the latter part of the first half appeared to give up completely. I can't imagine he is going to remain at QPR for to much longer.
Lee Williamson made it three before half time, but given recent events I didn't really feel the usual relaxed bliss a half time 3 goal cushion usually brings. I heard one bloke in the loo say another two and we'll be safe and I couldn't disagree.
Unsurprinsgly Mahon was replaced but the R's were still no better and rather than score goals they played a game of how bad a foul can we commit before one of us gets sent off. The answer was rather a lot. Quite a few yellows were shown including one to an injured Ranger who refused to leave the pitch for treatment before our old friend Fitz Hall (the one who had a fight with Aidy over the ball during the Palace playoff) went too far and scythed down Hoskins to earn a straight red. The panto theme was brought to a close in injury time when Priskin got in a muddle and tackled Tommy Smith for the ball.
It was a shame we couldn't have gone on to score a couple more, but the best thing to come out of the game by far was that our defence looked better than it has done for ages. DeMerit and Ward both had solid games, Doyley was strong in the tackle and only committed one howler whilst Mariappa looked good and made meaningful contributions when going forward.
Scott Loach deserves special mention for just being better at kicking than Richard Lee. Shot stopping wise he is just as good, but his confidence at delivering the ball back to a yellow shirt rather than a ball boy makes a world of difference.
But going back to a point I made earlier had a penalty gone against us rather than for us I do feel you could be reading exactly the same report only with the team names the other way round. For once today, we got some luck and built on it. Will it be enough to get Malky the job? I reckon by the visit of Doncaster we'll know.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Another fine defensive mess- Barnsley 2 Watford 1
Having read the Watford Observer report on todays game I hope more than ever Malky doesn't get it. Is it any surprise we are still committing defensive howlers when he was in charge of defensive training under Aidy. You can't sack Aidy and expect things are going to magically change.
Also it would be so ridiculous to stick with the status quo having got rid of a manager because of a poor run of form. The only time I can remember us doing it before was when Colin Lee got the job after we sacked Steve Harrison and he didn't last 12 months. We didn't even put a member of the coaching staff in either time that GT left. Both times he created a 'Boot Room' structure which would've probably continued quite nicely in his absence. But the boards of time decided to destroy these carefully built structures in favour of big names.
It would be an irony now if we went for more of the same when maybe we could do with a name or at least someone from outside the current structure.
Also it would be so ridiculous to stick with the status quo having got rid of a manager because of a poor run of form. The only time I can remember us doing it before was when Colin Lee got the job after we sacked Steve Harrison and he didn't last 12 months. We didn't even put a member of the coaching staff in either time that GT left. Both times he created a 'Boot Room' structure which would've probably continued quite nicely in his absence. But the boards of time decided to destroy these carefully built structures in favour of big names.
It would be an irony now if we went for more of the same when maybe we could do with a name or at least someone from outside the current structure.
Friday, November 14, 2008
Stelling for Countdown?
Bad move Jeff. It didn't work for Des (Lynam, not O'Connor who I thought was perfect for it) and I can't see it working for you.
There is a big difference between the fast paced nature of sports presenting and the sedate relaxed feeling of Countdown.
What's Jeff going to get excited about? The letters as the new Carol pulls them out?
You are a God Jeff just as Des was. Don't ruin it by making similarly poor career decisions. Just stick to what you do best.
There is a big difference between the fast paced nature of sports presenting and the sedate relaxed feeling of Countdown.
What's Jeff going to get excited about? The letters as the new Carol pulls them out?
You are a God Jeff just as Des was. Don't ruin it by making similarly poor career decisions. Just stick to what you do best.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)