Zola felt 'sick' for his players after last-gasp Cardiff goal (From Watford Observer)

Zola says its hard for the team when they play...of course it is but it is even harder for the fans when they have paid and two players are red carded.

Just sort it Zola.

Maybe an opening for Battochio?

Such a pity that yet again we are giving points away like this.No point picking on Gianfranco he is as upset by these going ons as us. We have now become a team that is under fire clearly. That means that we are feared now.I pity the side that will see us score at will. We are making giant strides against all the odds. Have faith give it time.

Last night was incredibly hard to take. I truly thought that we would be able to hold out for the draw and then came the news. I cant understand what Puil was thinking, harsh or not it is a stupid reaction. As for Chalobah he's basically given us a big reminder of his age and probably cost us a point.
Even with Vydra's red rescinded 3 reds in 4 is awful. There needs to be mores discipline. If none of the injured players are back AND both Pudil and Chalobah are suspended we will struggle against Blackburn away.
All of last night's blood, sweat and tears has ended up being for nothing and I am bitterley disapointed. We need a big, morale-boosting win on saturday and Zola needs to get to work!

Letsalldothecongafor
brittassombalonga wrote:
Last night was incredibly hard to take. I truly thought that we would be able to hold out for the draw and then came the news. I cant understand what Puil was thinking, harsh or not it is a stupid reaction. As for Chalobah he's basically given us a big reminder of his age and probably cost us a point.
Even with Vydra's red rescinded 3 reds in 4 is awful. There needs to be mores discipline. If none of the injured players are back AND both Pudil and Chalobah are suspended we will struggle against Blackburn away.
All of last night's blood, sweat and tears has ended up being for nothing and I am bitterley disapointed. We need a big, morale-boosting win on saturday and Zola needs to get to work!

Hold up a tick, how can you account for the two red cards that should never have been given, Vydra and Foresterri? That was not a discipline issue but poor refereeing, and I'm
Beginning to believe in them conspiracy theories. Last night was an implosion, yet could have won if Yeates had squared the ball to Doyley and an open goal.
Again I'll take the positives that we could have beaten the top side in the division. I also think we will be far better than them by the end of the season.
By the way great support for a long trip and night game.

It is utterly ridiculous to just point the finger at the manager and say sort it out. He has a bunch of players who are giving their all for the team and they've come up against inexperienced officials, as well very cynical and experienced opponents who've played in this league for years. Old pros know how to make all the right noises and green refs buy it. Zola will be instilling discipline in his players. But how, with some factors out of his hands, is he supposed to perform miracles?

I was concerned when we were awarded the last minute penalty on Saturday, but last nights officials have confirmed it was only a blip and all is right with the world. I presume Saturday's
Referee has been suitably dealt with and shown the error of his ways.

Bush Hornet wrote:
It is utterly ridiculous to just point the finger at the manager and say sort it out. He has a bunch of players who are giving their all for the team and they've come up against inexperienced officials, as well very cynical and experienced opponents who've played in this league for years. Old pros know how to make all the right noises and green refs buy it. Zola will be instilling discipline in his players. But how, with some factors out of his hands, is he supposed to perform miracles?

Sense returns to the post board! Thank Arry

Not seen last night's incidents but from what I have seen previously we are a very long way from being a dirty team.
I know it is easy to blame the ref for all our problems but there must be some truth in that view, we have been cursed with some very poor ones over the years.
It seems ridiculous to blame the manager.

I too agree that some of the officials decisions have been awful but that doesnt excuse last night. To go down to 9 is criminal and Chalobah's petulance was ridiculous. Dont get me wrong he is excellent but last night was a huge mistake on his part.
Yes we are green, yes we are a new team but for all the changes we still like to conceed in the 90th.
Im not laying the blame entirely at Zola's feet and I certainly think hes the right man for the job however if we are serious about a top-ten finish or more then these things need to be ironed out ASAP.
Yes Yeates should have squared it but I dont think the avalanche of abuse he regulary recieves on here is justified. In the 3 games Ive seen him in this season he has played well, if not spectacularly and we will probably need him again on Saturday.
I do feel very positive about this season- we are very close to it coming together but over the next few weeks we need to be a bit togher at back, a bit more clinical up front and have a starting 11 that remains more or less the same.
I must say though despite the negatives we are playing a style of football that Ive never seen us play before and it certainly is an exciting club to be a part of at the moment.
COYH!!!

lutondown wrote:

Bush Hornet wrote:
It is utterly ridiculous to just point the finger at the manager and say sort it out. He has a bunch of players who are giving their all for the team and they've come up against inexperienced officials, as well very cynical and experienced opponents who've played in this league for years. Old pros know how to make all the right noises and green refs buy it. Zola will be instilling discipline in his players. But how, with some factors out of his hands, is he supposed to perform miracles?

Sense returns to the post board! Thank Arry

Who's 'Arry? Anyway I've seen the penalty and there's no way he could've moved his arm out of the way. Anyone who thinks that was a good decision needs their head examined. Good refs let those go. And the Chalobah incident was nothing too. Again the ref had a choice: be sensible or change the game? He chose, effectively, to hand the game to Cardiff because 20 mins 11 v 9 players is near impossible at this level.

LD you're right about Cardiff: not good enough. Prone to stumbling at the final hurdle because of all the pies

Letsalldothecongafor
brittassombalonga wrote:
I too agree that some of the officials decisions have been awful but that doesnt excuse last night. To go down to 9 is criminal and Chalobah's petulance was ridiculous. Dont get me wrong he is excellent but last night was a huge mistake on his part.
Yes we are green, yes we are a new team but for all the changes we still like to conceed in the 90th.
Im not laying the blame entirely at Zola's feet and I certainly think hes the right man for the job however if we are serious about a top-ten finish or more then these things need to be ironed out ASAP.
Yes Yeates should have squared it but I dont think the avalanche of abuse he regulary recieves on here is justified. In the 3 games Ive seen him in this season he has played well, if not spectacularly and we will probably need him again on Saturday.
I do feel very positive about this season- we are very close to it coming together but over the next few weeks we need to be a bit togher at back, a bit more clinical up front and have a starting 11 that remains more or less the same.
I must say though despite the negatives we are playing a style of football that Ive never seen us play before and it certainly is an exciting club to be a part of at the moment.
COYH!!!

It's all very admirable not to blame the ref and be mature etc but this guy was swayed by the home crowd. It's a big call to reduce a team to 9. Some really dirty teams deserve it but we are not such a team. As for Yeates I'm not a massive fan but he can provide some good balls into the box (last night's goal for example.) But if I was Zola I'd drop him simply for not passing to Lloyd. Big mistake. Worse than Chalobah's 'petulance'

Hi guys,
Of you that were there, was Pudil's sending-off right? Did he do the guy in the face in or did theCardiff guy reign it and get him sent off? As for the second booking, how many players do not retreat before a free kick in a way that lots do not and do not get booked?

I did not expect to win there but from what I have heard we showed lots of character when down to 9 men even though the Taffieshad lots of the play.

So these things are supposed to even out over the course of the season - if that's the case, then we're building up a good bank balance for the second half !

How many games have we been involved in this season with a last minute goal?

I was listening to the game last night from the Costa del Sol, after the game I was in a foul mood for the last 24 hours; my wife says I am hell to live with.

What a team we have in the making? Zola is Zola, he is a nice man and will not change. Given the club he took over and the massive influx of players he and the team have done wonderfully well.

Bottom line; we know what lies ahead the excitement is too much and we want it now.

Last night was a reality check; a lot of jealous rubbish is being spouted about Watford fc by managers and clubs, Both Middlesbrough and Peterborough managers were bitter in their post-match comments.

The football world is scared what Watford can be. Its jealousy pure and simple. As supporters we need to mature, we are now starting to understand what Alex Ferguson, Man Utd and Chelsea have to put up with year after year. Small minded people making stupid and petty comments stemming from envy.

As supporters we need to toughen up. We also need to empathize with the manager and players. Can you imagine how they are feeling? They put their hearts and soul into the game at Cardiff and got nothing. As supporters we have to lift them up and let them know on this journey we are in it together and for the long run.

Please stop criticizing Zola and the young players. They know what what happened; everybody will learn from this and be stronger. We are only a quarter into the season. Nobody will be promoted or relegated until at least March April 2013. It’s all to play for!

Nothing of value is gained the easy way, even though the five minute wonders from ‘X’ factor would have you believe it!

Using this analogy I would liken now Watford fc to The Rolling Stones when they started out on their journey lasting now 50 years and still going strong, Except of course we are only about 5% into the journey if that?

Ultimately the journey is what this is all about not the arrival!

Onwards and upwards.

Forza Watford!

Yeates Got slated on 3 CR for shooting from an impossible angle instead of picking out Doyley for a tap in even he couldn't miss.
What a shame, Imagine how satisfying it would have been to listen to Malky blaming the ref for losing to nine men despite being given a helping hand to draw level.

We all would like to have taken three points off Malky and spoilt his 100% home record and for 45 minutes it looked as though we were going to.
Unfortunately then the wheels fell off!

It appears it was mostly self inflicted.
Young Chalobah will learn from his mistake and in what is going to be a great career never do it again. We are privileged to watch such a very fine youngster but he is inevitably going to make mistakes.
Pudil has settled really well and most of us rate him highly, sure he appears to have let us down last night but in my view he is worth ten Dickinsons and after his suspension I hope he will be a fixture at left wing back for several seasons.
I was disappointed that Zola decided to leave Abdi and forestieri out but I accept he has a sizeable talented squad and wants to keep them as fresh as possible.
Earlier in the season many on here were complaining that the team would not have any soul or spirit, well I think that has been totally disproved and Zola and his staff deserve huge credit for that.
I am hugely optimistic about our club and still believe that in 18 months the Pozzo's will have to fight off premiership clubs trying to take Zola from us.

rogeruk wrote:
I was listening to the game last night from the Costa del Sol, after the game I was in a foul mood for the last 24 hours; my wife says I am hell to live with.

What a team we have in the making? Zola is Zola, he is a nice man and will not change. Given the club he took over and the massive influx of players he and the team have done wonderfully well.

Bottom line; we know what lies ahead the excitement is too much and we want it now.

Last night was a reality check; a lot of jealous rubbish is being spouted about Watford fc by managers and clubs, Both Middlesbrough and Peterborough managers were bitter in their post-match comments.

The football world is scared what Watford can be. Its jealousy pure and simple. As supporters we need to mature, we are now starting to understand what Alex Ferguson, Man Utd and Chelsea have to put up with year after year. Small minded people making stupid and petty comments stemming from envy.

As supporters we need to toughen up. We also need to empathize with the manager and players. Can you imagine how they are feeling? They put their hearts and soul into the game at Cardiff and got nothing. As supporters we have to lift them up and let them know on this journey we are in it together and for the long run.

Please stop criticizing Zola and the young players. They know what what happened; everybody will learn from this and be stronger. We are only a quarter into the season. Nobody will be promoted or relegated until at least March April 2013. It’s all to play for!

Nothing of value is gained the easy way, even though the five minute wonders from ‘X’ factor would have you believe it!

Using this analogy I would liken now Watford fc to The Rolling Stones when they started out on their journey lasting now 50 years and still going strong, Except of course we are only about 5% into the journey if that?

Ultimately the journey is what this is all about not the arrival!

Onwards and upwards.

Forza Watford!

Excellent post Roger.

cliff46 wrote:
We all would like to have taken three points off Malky and spoilt his 100% home record and for 45 minutes it looked as though we were going to.
Unfortunately then the wheels fell off!

It appears it was mostly self inflicted.
Young Chalobah will learn from his mistake and in what is going to be a great career never do it again. We are privileged to watch such a very fine youngster but he is inevitably going to make mistakes.
Pudil has settled really well and most of us rate him highly, sure he appears to have let us down last night but in my view he is worth ten Dickinsons and after his suspension I hope he will be a fixture at left wing back for several seasons.
I was disappointed that Zola decided to leave Abdi and forestieri out but I accept he has a sizeable talented squad and wants to keep them as fresh as possible.
Earlier in the season many on here were complaining that the team would not have any soul or spirit, well I think that has been totally disproved and Zola and his staff deserve huge credit for that.
I am hugely optimistic about our club and still believe that in 18 months the Pozzo's will have to fight off premiership clubs trying to take Zola from us.

Another good post from my old mucker Cleef

It would be nice to finish with a full team now and again.

Peter_R wrote:
It would be nice to finish with a full team now and again.

It would be nice to get a ref that understood the game

It would be nice if Yeates picked up a muscle imbalance!

I'm greatly enjoying the way that lutondown has naturally assumed the role of schoolmaster on this board, effectively marking each comment for wit, relevance, artistic impression and, above all, agreeing with him. I freely admit that I went to see Hemel play Cambridge City last night and listened to the game on 3CR so just like the majority of posters on here today, my views are worthless. I doff my cap to all those who travelled - that's a long way home after an injury-time defeat, as I recall from a ghastly 1-0 loss at Ninian Park in 1980. (Anybody else there for that one?) But of all the claptrap on here today from my fellow radio listeners, I think my favourite is rogeruk who appears to have been awarded 10/10 by the headmaster. 'What a team we have in the making,' Roger tells us. Couldn't agree more, pal. It's called Udinese 2013/14. That's our role in the Pozzo Plan.

bushey tales wrote:
I'm greatly enjoying the way that lutondown has naturally assumed the role of schoolmaster on this board, effectively marking each comment for wit, relevance, artistic impression and, above all, agreeing with him. I freely admit that I went to see Hemel play Cambridge City last night and listened to the game on 3CR so just like the majority of posters on here today, my views are worthless. I doff my cap to all those who travelled - that's a long way home after an injury-time defeat, as I recall from a ghastly 1-0 loss at Ninian Park in 1980. (Anybody else there for that one?) But of all the claptrap on here today from my fellow radio listeners, I think my favourite is rogeruk who appears to have been awarded 10/10 by the headmaster. 'What a team we have in the making,' Roger tells us. Couldn't agree more, pal. It's called Udinese 2013/14. That's our role in the Pozzo Plan.

D- for you Mushy Wails. Whether you went or not your views are invalid as you are not a fan of the project you are therefore expelled.
Now bend over boy ten of the best!
Give my worst to your buddy in misery I wish I was Scully.
Keep enjoying your non league, there's a bigger version up the road from Hemel, your spiritual home. Dog kennel Lane.

Bush Hornet wrote:

lutondown wrote:

Bush Hornet wrote:
It is utterly ridiculous to just point the finger at the manager and say sort it out. He has a bunch of players who are giving their all for the team and they've come up against inexperienced officials, as well very cynical and experienced opponents who've played in this league for years. Old pros know how to make all the right noises and green refs buy it. Zola will be instilling discipline in his players. But how, with some factors out of his hands, is he supposed to perform miracles?

Sense returns to the post board! Thank Arry

Who's 'Arry? Anyway I've seen the penalty and there's no way he could've moved his arm out of the way. Anyone who thinks that was a good decision needs their head examined. Good refs let those go. And the Chalobah incident was nothing too. Again the ref had a choice: be sensible or change the game? He chose, effectively, to hand the game to Cardiff because 20 mins 11 v 9 players is near impossible at this level.

LD you're right about Cardiff: not good enough. Prone to stumbling at the final hurdle because of all the pies

Have to disagree BH. I thought that it was a stone wall penalty. The arm was at head level and the ball hit him fair and square just above the hand. We would not have accepted it had a ref turned down a similar appeal for a penalty for us. No one saw Pudil's dismissal so presume the linesman got that right as he was so close and thought that Chalobah was a bit unlucky but again, the ref played it by the book. He's only 17 and that will be a lesson for the lad that I hope he'll heed.

SAHornet wrote:

Bush Hornet wrote:

lutondown wrote:

Bush Hornet wrote:
It is utterly ridiculous to just point the finger at the manager and say sort it out. He has a bunch of players who are giving their all for the team and they've come up against inexperienced officials, as well very cynical and experienced opponents who've played in this league for years. Old pros know how to make all the right noises and green refs buy it. Zola will be instilling discipline in his players. But how, with some factors out of his hands, is he supposed to perform miracles?

Sense returns to the post board! Thank Arry

Who's 'Arry? Anyway I've seen the penalty and there's no way he could've moved his arm out of the way. Anyone who thinks that was a good decision needs their head examined. Good refs let those go. And the Chalobah incident was nothing too. Again the ref had a choice: be sensible or change the game? He chose, effectively, to hand the game to Cardiff because 20 mins 11 v 9 players is near impossible at this level.

LD you're right about Cardiff: not good enough. Prone to stumbling at the final hurdle because of all the pies

Have to disagree BH. I thought that it was a stone wall penalty. The arm was at head level and the ball hit him fair and square just above the hand. We would not have accepted it had a ref turned down a similar appeal for a penalty for us. No one saw Pudil's dismissal so presume the linesman got that right as he was so close and thought that Chalobah was a bit unlucky but again, the ref played it by the book. He's only 17 and that will be a lesson for the lad that I hope he'll heed.

Pudil, has spoken about this on line. The Cardiff guy had him by the throat, he pushed him off. Good to see the ref playing by the book...one way

Some good posts here guys ! nice that we are all beginning to sing from the same songsheet ! and that we agree that the future looks brighter than it has for a long time. We just need things to start evening themselves out and some referees that are not intent on booking are players for every little infraction that they can possibly imagine. I would not mind if it was the same for everyone ! but can you seriously expect to see anyone at the Vic get them two yellows that Nathan picked up ? (not a chance ) more chance of Luton building a 60,000 stadium and fill it.

KeithMercer wrote:
Some good posts here guys ! nice that we are all beginning to sing from the same songsheet ! and that we agree that the future looks brighter than it has for a long time. We just need things to start evening themselves out and some referees that are not intent on booking are players for every little infraction that they can possibly imagine. I would not mind if it was the same for everyone ! but can you seriously expect to see anyone at the Vic get them two yellows that Nathan picked up ? (not a chance ) more chance of Luton building a 60,000 stadium and fill it.

A+ for you Mercs, one of my fav pupils!
Do us a favour at playtime, give Bushy Wails a head dunking!

Seems I spoke too soon, bushey had to go and ruin it ! still would be boring if we all agreed ,. Just a shame that bushey is so far off the mark and seems to want to wallow in the lower leagues.

Thanks LD will bring you an apple in the morning as always ! Keep up the good work .

Like most of the WFC fans posting here, i was gutted/frustrated/an
noyed by last nights result, nothing worse than a good performance ruined by 1. indiscipline to give them a foothold 2. penalty to get them level 3. last minute winner...however in the cold light of day, nothing better than 24hrs to reflect
Whatever we feel about Malky, Cardiff are no mugs, not beaten at home in 7 months, some very experienced players, and absolutely determined to write themselves into the clubs history books with 6 wins on the bounce....yet we (with more discipline/experienc
e) should have smashed that record last night, and that my friends is a measure of how far we have come in just 12 games.

This, without doubt, is going to be very exciting times for WFC.
enjoy the ride and believe, there are many clubs/fans looking on with total envy.
see you at ewood park for the next exciting episode.

I was sitting in the jury room here in Southern California following the game on a periodic basis and I hope I did not offend to many people with my audible gasp when I saw Watford was down to nine men.
I have no idea what Pudil did wrong all I know first hand you do not cross a Czech as my wife is from that fine nation.
I question the punishment for two yellows is a red. Quite often the misdemeanors are innocuous such as kicking the ball away.
Better to suspend for the next game rather than spoil the match for the spectators who spent so much to be there.
Having seen the comments on this site I suspect I will be crucified for these thoughts.
Last but not least I believe we have to be patient and supportive of our team,
The management and ownership.
Imagine the alternative.
Note to SA Hornet ,love to read your posts from the fairest of all Capes

I may well be a sad old ****, spout 0/10 rubbish and totally fail to grasp the benefits to the club of the Grand Pozzo Project, but at least the marking suggestion appears to have gained some supporters. And to the Californian bloke above (is that a serious post - I wasn't sure), may I suggest that it's easier to preach the benefits of patience and support from 6,000 miles away when you don't have to get off your arse to watch it! (0/10. Again. I'll save ld the bother) Good night.

bushey tales wrote:
I may well be a sad old ****, spout 0/10 rubbish and totally fail to grasp the benefits to the club of the Grand Pozzo Project, but at least the marking suggestion appears to have gained some supporters. And to the Californian bloke above (is that a serious post - I wasn't sure), may I suggest that it's easier to preach the benefits of patience and support from 6,000 miles away when you don't have to get off your arse to watch it! (0/10. Again. I'll save ld the bother) Good night.

I can see where your coming from. Team full of foreigners, exciting decent football, a future, money etc etc not like the good old bad old days.
And buddy you don't have to watch it, it's your choice
E- and the slipper, now give me 100 lines...I will stop moaning and admit LD is right!

it would be nice if my chocolate chips stopped dropping through my cake mixture. we need some cohesion in there. might stick nosworthy in there.

Having been at the game, and now seen highlights, I think it was a penalty, Hogg had his arm right out (not protecting his face), it was a shot at goal which had it not hit Hoggs outstretched arm "could" have been a goal.

Chalobah was unlucky, Ref shouldve used common sense, but Taylor and McPie influenced the Ref.

Haven't seen Pudil incident, not sure if it was captured on video, so unlucky to get a reprieve. Pudil states bloke grabbed him by throat and he raised his hands and pushed in in face (not violently) to get him off. Unfortunately as he raised hands he will have to take 3 match ban. Shame the Lino didn't get Noone in trouble too.

We are not a dirty team, we have been unlucky, this pre-Xmas period is still pre-season for us, a huge learning curve.

As long as we are mid table at Xmas, Top Ten end Jan, Top Six by end Feb, then who knows what might happen ....

As Zola has said, this season is the prep for next seasons assault on promotion.

By next season we will have a settled squad, with no doubt a few players leaving, maybe one or two new ones joining, but the coaches / manager will have a full pre-season, and we can hit the ground running ....

So let's enjoy this season, remove the pressure, we have the ability, the strength in depth, it's all about the Attitude and Application and Chemistry ... That's still work in progress ....

COYH

I think Hogg was trying to move his arm away showing more of his chest. Incredibly close to him as the guy shot, but the ref had no hesitation from his angle. He may have seen it differently from the tv shot.
Chalobah was just immature and will learn from it.

In order to move forward and learn, I think you have to be honest with yourself. As frustrating as it is, I think it was a clear penalty. Hogg asking for trouble. I also think that Chalobah was asking for trouble, so gave the ref the opportunity to send him off. He will learn. Can't comment too much on Pudil, but again he must have given the linesman an opportunity. I remember Stuart Pearce getting headbutted by Boli in Euro's (1992) - no reaction whatsover from Pearce because he knew he'd get sent off for it, as the ref had not seen the initial incident. Previous sendings off this season have been harsh, so there is no discipline issue in my book (although Cassetti seems to get one yellow per game). Just bad individual choices made at crucial times on tuesday eve.
-
Is there an anti Watford agenda by refs? Unlikely, as we witnessed with the award of a last minute penalty against Peterboro just 5 days ago.

Only 2 Ross Jenkins wrote:
In order to move forward and learn, I think you have to be honest with yourself. As frustrating as it is, I think it was a clear penalty. Hogg asking for trouble. I also think that Chalobah was asking for trouble, so gave the ref the opportunity to send him off. He will learn. Can't comment too much on Pudil, but again he must have given the linesman an opportunity. I remember Stuart Pearce getting headbutted by Boli in Euro's (1992) - no reaction whatsover from Pearce because he knew he'd get sent off for it, as the ref had not seen the initial incident. Previous sendings off this season have been harsh, so there is no discipline issue in my book (although Cassetti seems to get one yellow per game). Just bad individual choices made at crucial times on tuesday eve.
-
Is there an anti Watford agenda by refs? Unlikely, as we witnessed with the award of a last minute penalty against Peterboro just 5 days ago.

In what way was Hogg asking for trouble? He had his arm out for balance and had no time to move it. Many on here say it was a clear pen and we wouldn't argue if it was awarded our way. Fair enough but the ref was a robot who showed no human side, in this or with Chalobah, except he wanted to be loved by the home crowd.

Hornet Cornet, what drugs have you put in your cake mixture?

Bush Hornet wrote:

Only 2 Ross Jenkins wrote:
In order to move forward and learn, I think you have to be honest with yourself. As frustrating as it is, I think it was a clear penalty. Hogg asking for trouble. I also think that Chalobah was asking for trouble, so gave the ref the opportunity to send him off. He will learn. Can't comment too much on Pudil, but again he must have given the linesman an opportunity. I remember Stuart Pearce getting headbutted by Boli in Euro's (1992) - no reaction whatsover from Pearce because he knew he'd get sent off for it, as the ref had not seen the initial incident. Previous sendings off this season have been harsh, so there is no discipline issue in my book (although Cassetti seems to get one yellow per game). Just bad individual choices made at crucial times on tuesday eve.
-
Is there an anti Watford agenda by refs? Unlikely, as we witnessed with the award of a last minute penalty against Peterboro just 5 days ago.

In what way was Hogg asking for trouble? He had his arm out for balance and had no time to move it. Many on here say it was a clear pen and we wouldn't argue if it was awarded our way. Fair enough but the ref was a robot who showed no human side, in this or with Chalobah, except he wanted to be loved by the home crowd.

Hornet Cornet, what drugs have you put in your cake mixture?

Bush, stop vying for my spot as public enemy number one, it took me ages to wrestle it off Pukka Buckler and I won't give it up without a fight!
Anyway the ref was a Homer, and didn't want to upset Angus Macfergus Dundee who still hadn't the good grace to concede he was dead lucky against a 9 man team, as did not Famous for his daddy Ferguson.
No one likes us, we don't care! I know how it feels!!

Bush Hornet wrote:

Only 2 Ross Jenkins wrote: In order to move forward and learn, I think you have to be honest with yourself. As frustrating as it is, I think it was a clear penalty. Hogg asking for trouble. I also think that Chalobah was asking for trouble, so gave the ref the opportunity to send him off. He will learn. Can't comment too much on Pudil, but again he must have given the linesman an opportunity. I remember Stuart Pearce getting headbutted by Boli in Euro's (1992) - no reaction whatsover from Pearce because he knew he'd get sent off for it, as the ref had not seen the initial incident. Previous sendings off this season have been harsh, so there is no discipline issue in my book (although Cassetti seems to get one yellow per game). Just bad individual choices made at crucial times on tuesday eve. - Is there an anti Watford agenda by refs? Unlikely, as we witnessed with the award of a last minute penalty against Peterboro just 5 days ago.

In what way was Hogg asking for trouble? He had his arm out for balance and had no time to move it. Many on here say it was a clear pen and we wouldn't argue if it was awarded our way. Fair enough but the ref was a robot who showed no human side, in this or with Chalobah, except he wanted to be loved by the home crowd. Hornet Cornet, what drugs have you put in your cake mixture?

Hogg was asking for trouble in the sense that he has his arm outstretched and knows the consequences if his arm is struck by the ball (esp in the box!). Keeping his balance maybe, but he gives the ref an opportunity. Not disagreeing that he had no time to move it and it is clearly ball to hand, but that matters little it seems. Also, if the ref is indeed a robot, then it is even more important that the players make sure they don't give him a reason to penalise them. With Chalobah, we'd all expect an opposition player to be penalised if they had done it, so why blame the ref? At what point do the players take responsibility?
-
Signs for the season are good overall however, so onwards and upwards eh.

lutondown wrote:

Bush Hornet wrote:

Only 2 Ross Jenkins wrote:
In order to move forward and learn, I think you have to be honest with yourself. As frustrating as it is, I think it was a clear penalty. Hogg asking for trouble. I also think that Chalobah was asking for trouble, so gave the ref the opportunity to send him off. He will learn. Can't comment too much on Pudil, but again he must have given the linesman an opportunity. I remember Stuart Pearce getting headbutted by Boli in Euro's (1992) - no reaction whatsover from Pearce because he knew he'd get sent off for it, as the ref had not seen the initial incident. Previous sendings off this season have been harsh, so there is no discipline issue in my book (although Cassetti seems to get one yellow per game). Just bad individual choices made at crucial times on tuesday eve.
-
Is there an anti Watford agenda by refs? Unlikely, as we witnessed with the award of a last minute penalty against Peterboro just 5 days ago.

In what way was Hogg asking for trouble? He had his arm out for balance and had no time to move it. Many on here say it was a clear pen and we wouldn't argue if it was awarded our way. Fair enough but the ref was a robot who showed no human side, in this or with Chalobah, except he wanted to be loved by the home crowd.

Hornet Cornet, what drugs have you put in your cake mixture?

Bush, stop vying for my spot as public enemy number one, it took me ages to wrestle it off Pukka Buckler and I won't give it up without a fight!
Anyway the ref was a Homer, and didn't want to upset Angus Macfergus Dundee who still hadn't the good grace to concede he was dead lucky against a 9 man team, as did not Famous for his daddy Ferguson.
No one likes us, we don't care! I know how it feels!!

You know you wear the crown well. It wouldn't suit me.

Malkontent and good grace don't go together. I haven't even bothered searching the net for what he had to say about the match.

We'll be a better outfit than them in the long run and maybe even this season, and 11 against 11 we already are.

Small men like these refs don't really bother me, I just like to make the point that I'm right.

Some referees send off handball with intention. We might have had 8 players on the park. Such a grey area penalty given for ball to hand to which that was Hoggs case.Very harsh decision indeed, called a hometown touch.

At the game on Tuesday. Cardiff aren't a bad side but won't go up (again). The excuse of a ref gifted them 3 points with a totally one-sided display of bias. The Cardiff centre backs were wrestling our forwards all game and never got penalised once. Although they had loads of possession, we created good chances to win the game even with 9 men. Should have brought Deeney on earlier and taken Chalobah off earlier as he was having an off-night. Never see so many placid middle-aged supporters wound up by the sendings off. Lucky no one had a coronary. By the way, cheers to the bloke who gave me a complimentary ticket just as I was about to pay £32 (dynamaic ticketing my arse). COYH !