Addicks punish Hornets' defensive shortcomings (From Watford Observer)

Desperately missed one size, desperately missed a leader!

I am extremely depressed...

It's a crying shame to lose when scoring three goals at home. The only plus I suppose is even if millwall and forest both win we will still be above them on goal difference.

We need cover for hall, good that nos is coming back, looks like he will have to be ready on Saturday as neuton doesn't have much commanding presence as we need.

Also worrying is almunia, hoping the young polish keeper from udine will make an adequate understudy

Can't believe how poor we were defensively! We miss Hall and after Abdi went off it just got worse! Eustace is needed in this side to add more leadership and protection for the back three!
Can't believe we got ourselfs back into the lead at 3-2 to throw it all away within minutes!
I'm still surprised Zola didn't start with Vydra & Deeney as they are our best front pairing!
Mind you it wasn't our forward play that lost us the game today but our extremely poor defending!
I can't see us getting into the top two and maybe a 5th/6th is all we can ask for as Leicester and Palace are winning again!
I just hope we haven't thrown away 3 points today for nothing at Man City!
Oh well back to the drawing board!
Final top six?:

Cardiff
Hull
Palace
Leicester
Watford
Middlesborough

I suppose I have to say to myself that I would of taken that at the beginning of the season!
Onwards and upwards!

Too weak today : ( . We will still beat man city (20 to 1 ... Get on it)

Was always going to be harder than we thought. We played too many players who have not played for a while. FF and AG havent played for a while and neither has SM or Neuton. I thought SM was way off the pace and very disappointing. Having said that it was at the back where we lost today. Simply awful. TH and JE got skinned so many times it was unbelievable. Out this one behind us and hope that Jan brings us some defenders!

Almunia? Now you know why Arsenal dropped him and eventually got rid of him. We would have done better with Cudicini, who, reportedly, has just signed for LA Raiders. We need a goalkeeper. Do our Italian or Spanish colleagues have one to spare?

Been said already but one size was desperately missed, defensively all at sea throughout. Even Hoban looked nervous. One positive we can take is Geijo especially in the second half, very good link up play with Fessi. When you score 3 times at home you really should be taking all 3 points. Food for thought that perhaps our defensive cover isn't as strong as other areas. Hopefully after the City game we can go on some sort of run to cement a play off place.
I sense there maybe a few comings & goings this month.

Hope these 3 lost points don't affect anything at the end of the season. Defence were hopeless, individually and collectivley, today against a very weak team. Don't care how well he can pass, Neuton will never become an effective defender in this league and must go. Take back my reservations about Geijo tho - outstanding today. Our attacking options looks excellent, but we concede too many for a top 2 place, ...and possible top 6 place.

Sounded pretty dire stuff from beginning to end, especially defensively but every team slips up once or twice on their way to the top so let's not get too down-hearted tonight and hope that GZ has learned a few lessons about over tinkering with a winning side and inclusion of players such as Sean Murray who has gone badly astray in the past few months. Bad day at the office but at least they have a few days to learn from it now. Happy New Year everyone.

As soon as I saw the line up I was worried as we had no "ball winners" at all without Hall,Eustace,Hogg,No
sworthy and Doyley.The 3 CBs would never all start together if Hall,Doyley or Nos were 100% fit ( I know Nos was on the bench and so surely he will start at City).We also need either Eustace or Hogg or BOTH in this team.Up front Nando and Geijo linked up superbly at times in the second half.I think Almunia is fine but we do need a better back up keeper as neither Bond nor Bonham are championship material.

Well thats our game in hand out the window ! Hate to say it but i did warn of taking this game for granted! and my worst fears were realized .
having said that I didnt expect to score 3 and still lose .
We just never seemed quite in control !
maybe if we could of held on for 5 mins after going 3-2 up things would have been different .
Lets brush ourselves down , take a reality check and go go go again.

Poor and not just at the back. Bad changes by Zola and we were too lightweight in the middle with Murray disappointing. Hogg showed his worth by his absence but then can not shoot to save his life. Hope Eustace comes back soon for these battling games we seem to have at home. Shame but must get over it. Need different and patient tactics at Man City and more men at the back.

A great run ended, clearly one too many changes made. But long term rotation pays. our keeper has been fairly solid on the whole. But clearly we always seem to miss the big centre half as again it proved.Charlton did there homework on Nathan and Sean who has been dissapointing this season.Both our front men are quality but the best 2 strikers looked on.
We came out second best of an exciting encounter. Happy days ahead.

That performance just confirmed how good and honest the Vydra/Deeney partnership is becoming. When Forestieri plays it's all about him - he demands the ball to feet then turns, spins, does a little trick and all the impetus has gone. He's not exactly a natural goalscorer either, is he? His behaviour when he set up that third goal said all you need to know about him......me, me, me! He's a sideshow, I'm afraid, and while he's unquestionably a talented footballer, we're better when he doesn't play.

Feff wrote:
Almunia? Now you know why Arsenal dropped him and eventually got rid of him. We would have done better with Cudicini, who, reportedly, has just signed for LA Raiders. We need a goalkeeper. Do our Italian or Spanish colleagues have one to spare?

WOJCIECH PAWLOWSKI FOR THE 9 MILLIONTH TIME!

Thought we were bullied out of it a bit by Charlton today, as soon as they realised the ref would allow GBH but book handballs! The challenge on Ekstrand was particularly nasty. Agree Sean Murray was totally off the pace but I can understand GFZ wanting to give as many of the squad a chance before he starts to trim down. I think young Sean needs to get his head straight and maybe a loan somewhere in a top'ish League One side might be the answer. He should have been there to help Cassetti for their second and just didn't bother to get back. Definitely missed Hall today as I do think Nueton and Hoban buckled under the physical assault.
The future, though, is still bright and our attacking play was sublime at times. What a wealth we have up front with Geijo, FF, Vydra and Deeney. A couple of tweaks in the window, a returning JE, and a shedding of dead wood should see us be there or there abouts come the end of the season.

After the elation & buzz at The Amex stadium, there was such disappointment today. Was Zola so certain of a win that he felt huge experimentation was no risk? Why was Murray not subbed earlier after a poor display? Pity, but part of a management learning curve?

Neuton needs to be shown the door he spent more time on his back today than Katie Price. Nosworthy is a proper defender & should be picked before him. Why was Hogg rested today with the game at Bristol City called off we have played less games than most. By leaving Vydra & Deeney on the bench we did Charlton's team talk for them.

GFZ got it wrong today.... It happens..
Hey ho .. Have to say was outstanding..
Neuton a bit too powder puff for the English league.. Sure he can pass, but he cannot mark or tackle!! Made Ekstrand and Hoban unsure ... We needed a leader..
Almunia on his day is great, hope his day is next Saturday.. Was sure Bondy was coming on at half time..
Sean Murray... What has happened to you? Maybe a loan out to get you match fit and playing well is in order?
7 goals... Hardly a thriller (10 goals with the disallowed ones!) we deserved better.. Or is this a reality check we all need...?

I love the idea of Cudicini signing for the LA Raiders. If he managed to break both wrists coming off his bike, I wouldn't like to think what might happen to him playing with that lot! It's the Galaxy, I think you'll find.

The worst defensive display of the season, very disappointing but you cannot get it right every week. Put this behind us and move on.

Too many players totally off the pace, in particular Hoban and Murray played like they were on the pi55 last night.

The one positive to take from this is that we are still scoring for fun but you should not score 3 at home and come away with nothing. Geigo showed he has something to offer and got better as the game went on.

I don't think GFZ will accept that defensive display so expect a very different attitude next week.

bushey tale : Disagree massively! Forestieri & Geijo were the only 2 out there who played wel IMO.My brother 9 (who rarely goes being a gooner ) thought FF was out best player.Yes he is a bit selfish and not a brilliant finisher but he is a real thorn in all our opponents sides making things happen.Every team needs someone who can take a player out and today he linked really well with Geijo.

Disappointing result today but an entertaining game. Thought we were out musceled by Charlton who seemed to be able to get away with murder with this very poor ref. Big plus point was Geijo absolute class. Would like to see him and Vydra together with perhaps FF out wide. Still not sure about FF he has so much skill but sometimes does not see too interested. Still we are sixth and I would have certainly taken that at beginning of season.

Sorry slip of the finger he is not 9!

Just read that Aguero is definitely out of Saturdays cup tie with a pulled hamstring.

bushey tales wrote:
That performance just confirmed how good and honest the Vydra/Deeney partnership is becoming. When Forestieri plays it's all about him - he demands the ball to feet then turns, spins, does a little trick and all the impetus has gone. He's not exactly a natural goalscorer either, is he? His behaviour when he set up that third goal said all you need to know about him......me, me, me! He's a sideshow, I'm afraid, and while he's unquestionably a talented footballer, we're better when he doesn't play.

Although he missed a couple of poor finishes today he set up for the third was quality. He pointed at himself and then to the pitch, which, to me, was him telling us he wants to stay at Watford.

But he is a bit too self-centred, I agree. Charlton did their homework and gave him very little space.

Too many changes today GFZ. If Noz is fit again, why didn't he start or at least come on as sub?

Shocking from GZ putting Murray straight into the side. He was not up to it and I seriously doubt he will be again!

Charlton bullied us and Fuller was immense for them. Hoban didn't look comfortable on the right and Neuton was shocking!

GFZ has to put his hand up and say sorry for this result. To many changes, squad rotation works when you are playing twice a week, week in week out (champions league) and you replace a player with one of equal quality!

Hoban had a shocker today. He clearly was unsettled by the own goal and never really recovered and Fuller caused him problems, especially in the air. We need to remember he's still only 18 and in his first full season with the first team, maybe GFZ should have rested him!

Roll on next weekend, lets get this cup game out of the way! Show a good account of ourselves and concentrate on the Leauge

Happy new year!

Hampshire hornet wrote:
GFZ got it wrong today.... It happens..
Hey ho .. Have to say was outstanding..
Neuton a bit too powder puff for the English league.. Sure he can pass, but he cannot mark or tackle!! Made Ekstrand and Hoban unsure ... We needed a leader..
Almunia on his day is great, hope his day is next Saturday.. Was sure Bondy was coming on at half time..
Sean Murray... What has happened to you? Maybe a loan out to get you match fit and playing well is in order?
7 goals... Hardly a thriller (10 goals with the disallowed ones!) we deserved better.. Or is this a reality check we all need...?

Sean Murray and those that handle him should be ashamed. He's about Nathanie'ls age and the difference in maturity is enormous. Needs taking in hand now before he implodes completely. Been saying that since the summer when he returned looking like the Michelin man. Far too young to be handling himself like this.

Have to say it is a longtime since i felt so angry at a Watford performance and particularly the managers contribution to this mess

so many times changes are made , i can understand that to a point BUT 5 for this game totally gave the initiative to struggling Charlton team , no doubt chris powell said to his team , there you go they think this will be a walk over with them making so many changes , did the trick as fired them up no end , 1st mistake Zola

then surprise surprise it is the forwards and midfielders who are changed / rested whatever you want to call it however it is our defensive which is our weak link!!

We cannot keep a flaming clean sheet !! yet still Hoban elkstrand play on , caught up with hoban in particular today , 2nd mistake Zola

then goalkeeper is injured so obvious particulary causing the second goal as he was rooted to the spot , then went down when goal went in , yet still came out for second half and guess what another cross to a free header as the useless neuton looked on and goalie stayed on his line , 3rd mistake zola

personally could not give a monkeys if we win at city , laughable as that sounds with this defence , city would have got double figures today , 3 at the back against them particulary if that awful player neuton plays will be suicide , over to you zola , your tinkering cost us massively today and after such a good result Saturday .

YOU thought we just had to turn up to beat Charlton , saturdays team with the momentum would have beat this charlton team , they not only beat us but scored 4 goals at our place , shocking day poor management and as i said i am so angry

we will NOT win FA cup we have a chance of play offs or more yet todays team showed you must play your in form best team , feel very let down today , managed to persuade a couple of floating wfc fans to attend today , they looked at me as if i was daft having witnessed that performance ,

sorry Gianfranco you have done decent so far but what on earth you were thinking today i do not know so disappointed , wish i could say a decent side beat us , they did not , think we started to beleive all the good press after saturday ?

bushey tales wrote:
That performance just confirmed how good and honest the Vydra/Deeney partnership is becoming. When Forestieri plays it's all about him - he demands the ball to feet then turns, spins, does a little trick and all the impetus has gone. He's not exactly a natural goalscorer either, is he? His behaviour when he set up that third goal said all you need to know about him......me, me, me! He's a sideshow, I'm afraid, and while he's unquestionably a talented footballer, we're better when he doesn't play.

Sorry bushey but cant agree ! you seem to have a Bee in your bonnet when it comes to FF. He had a hand in the first goal, won the penalty for the second and made the third goal also made one of the dissalowed goals. Ok so end of day it counted for nothing but I could find a few more likely subjects to blame for this defeat. But as usual you want to get on Fessies back .
Shame on you !

bigthunder wrote:
Have to say it is a longtime since i felt so angry at a Watford performance and particularly the managers contribution to this mess

so many times changes are made , i can understand that to a point BUT 5 for this game totally gave the initiative to struggling Charlton team , no doubt chris powell said to his team , there you go they think this will be a walk over with them making so many changes , did the trick as fired them up no end , 1st mistake Zola

then surprise surprise it is the forwards and midfielders who are changed / rested whatever you want to call it however it is our defensive which is our weak link!!

We cannot keep a flaming clean sheet !! yet still Hoban elkstrand play on , caught up with hoban in particular today , 2nd mistake Zola

then goalkeeper is injured so obvious particulary causing the second goal as he was rooted to the spot , then went down when goal went in , yet still came out for second half and guess what another cross to a free header as the useless neuton looked on and goalie stayed on his line , 3rd mistake zola

personally could not give a monkeys if we win at city , laughable as that sounds with this defence , city would have got double figures today , 3 at the back against them particulary if that awful player neuton plays will be suicide , over to you zola , your tinkering cost us massively today and after such a good result Saturday .

YOU thought we just had to turn up to beat Charlton , saturdays team with the momentum would have beat this charlton team , they not only beat us but scored 4 goals at our place , shocking day poor management and as i said i am so angry

we will NOT win FA cup we have a chance of play offs or more yet todays team showed you must play your in form best team , feel very let down today , managed to persuade a couple of floating wfc fans to attend today , they looked at me as if i was daft having witnessed that performance ,

sorry Gianfranco you have done decent so far but what on earth you were thinking today i do not know so disappointed , wish i could say a decent side beat us , they did not , think we started to beleive all the good press after saturday ?

Many a good point contained within...

bigthunder wrote:
Have to say it is a longtime since i felt so angry at a Watford performance and particularly the managers contribution to this mess

so many times changes are made , i can understand that to a point BUT 5 for this game totally gave the initiative to struggling Charlton team , no doubt chris powell said to his team , there you go they think this will be a walk over with them making so many changes , did the trick as fired them up no end , 1st mistake Zola

then surprise surprise it is the forwards and midfielders who are changed / rested whatever you want to call it however it is our defensive which is our weak link!!

We cannot keep a flaming clean sheet !! yet still Hoban elkstrand play on , caught up with hoban in particular today , 2nd mistake Zola

then goalkeeper is injured so obvious particulary causing the second goal as he was rooted to the spot , then went down when goal went in , yet still came out for second half and guess what another cross to a free header as the useless neuton looked on and goalie stayed on his line , 3rd mistake zola

personally could not give a monkeys if we win at city , laughable as that sounds with this defence , city would have got double figures today , 3 at the back against them particulary if that awful player neuton plays will be suicide , over to you zola , your tinkering cost us massively today and after such a good result Saturday .

YOU thought we just had to turn up to beat Charlton , saturdays team with the momentum would have beat this charlton team , they not only beat us but scored 4 goals at our place , shocking day poor management and as i said i am so angry

we will NOT win FA cup we have a chance of play offs or more yet todays team showed you must play your in form best team , feel very let down today , managed to persuade a couple of floating wfc fans to attend today , they looked at me as if i was daft having witnessed that performance ,

sorry Gianfranco you have done decent so far but what on earth you were thinking today i do not know so disappointed , wish i could say a decent side beat us , they did not , think we started to beleive all the good press after saturday ?

Calm down mate !!!
I think its YOU who has started to believe all the good press ! this was always going to be tricky game and sometimes you get things wrong, but lets not throw the baby out with the bath water.

KeithMercer wrote:

bigthunder wrote:
Have to say it is a longtime since i felt so angry at a Watford performance and particularly the managers contribution to this mess

so many times changes are made , i can understand that to a point BUT 5 for this game totally gave the initiative to struggling Charlton team , no doubt chris powell said to his team , there you go they think this will be a walk over with them making so many changes , did the trick as fired them up no end , 1st mistake Zola

then surprise surprise it is the forwards and midfielders who are changed / rested whatever you want to call it however it is our defensive which is our weak link!!

We cannot keep a flaming clean sheet !! yet still Hoban elkstrand play on , caught up with hoban in particular today , 2nd mistake Zola

then goalkeeper is injured so obvious particulary causing the second goal as he was rooted to the spot , then went down when goal went in , yet still came out for second half and guess what another cross to a free header as the useless neuton looked on and goalie stayed on his line , 3rd mistake zola

personally could not give a monkeys if we win at city , laughable as that sounds with this defence , city would have got double figures today , 3 at the back against them particulary if that awful player neuton plays will be suicide , over to you zola , your tinkering cost us massively today and after such a good result Saturday .

YOU thought we just had to turn up to beat Charlton , saturdays team with the momentum would have beat this charlton team , they not only beat us but scored 4 goals at our place , shocking day poor management and as i said i am so angry

we will NOT win FA cup we have a chance of play offs or more yet todays team showed you must play your in form best team , feel very let down today , managed to persuade a couple of floating wfc fans to attend today , they looked at me as if i was daft having witnessed that performance ,

sorry Gianfranco you have done decent so far but what on earth you were thinking today i do not know so disappointed , wish i could say a decent side beat us , they did not , think we started to beleive all the good press after saturday ?

Calm down mate !!!
I think its YOU who has started to believe all the good press ! this was always going to be tricky game and sometimes you get things wrong, but lets not throw the baby out with the bath water.

fair enough but really you think this was a tricky game ? , as i said the team that beat Brighton saturday would have wiped the floor with this very average Charlton team , with or without the injured Hall , all about opinions i suppose but i stand by all my points

A few questions for GFZ.
1. What do you regard as more important, the Championship play offs or the FA Cup?
2. If the Championship why make 5 changes from Saturday and why didn't you play your strongest side?
3. Are you under pressure from Nani or the owners to give other loanees a match? Is the size of your squad, with so many loanees, compromising your selection decisions?
4. Who is the leader on the pitch. Can a goalie effectively be the leader?
5. When you saw the defence was crumbling, why didn't you change it?
6. When will Eustace and Doyley be fit? Will you play them?
7. Do you agree a young developing team needs a strong (British?) core - if so where's Watford's?

Looking at other comments must totally agree. Two many changes, leaving our strikers on the bench not a good idea. No defence at all. Would be good to have Fitz-Hall back to keep order at the back. Hoban did not look happy all game, maybe a rest should have been the case for him today. We have a lot of players on the books that could have dealt with this today. Really gutted to have this happen, yes a loss of a good 3 points.

Maclanx wrote:
Too many changes today GFZ. If Noz is fit again, why didn't he start or at least come on as sub?

A lot of people on here need to actually think about what they're writing to be honest... or, more accurately, write with a bit of consistency. We weren't going to win the league after the Brighton game, and we're not a bad side after this one. The eleven that Zola picked today was not one that underestimated Charlton, but a sensible one for a number of reasons.

With Hall injured, Neuton was the fittest of the defenders available. Deserved his chance after doing well at the Amex.
Nosworthy is, I'm afraid, not the answer. Nowhere near comfortable enough on the ball, and he was appalling in the couple of games after Martin Taylor left. People who think he's a leader should've seen him at Bolton! That was his chance to prove himself as a lynchpin and an organiser, and his bottle went.
Hogg works so hard off the ball that he can't be expected to play week in week out.
Fessi and Geijo are ideal for opening teams up at home, as they proved today.

I put this loss down to Hall being out, which can't be helped - and, in hindsight, a midfield too inexperienced to put their foot on the ball and calm things down at pivotal moments in the game

... but it's one game, we'll learn from it, we're still in the play-offs despite nobody (including a number of people on these message boards) giving us a prayer, we're in safe hands - and a lot of very good footballers are about to commit their immediate futures to our football club.

I really don't see that there's very much for us to get upset about.

Put the game out of reach,then give the fringe players a run out...
Basic?

Sorry, Bushey Tales. Of course it's LA Galaxy. Forgetting the goalkeeper, why are so many postings wanting Eustace back? We've done very well without him and, sadly, I think he's not a Championship player any more.. Perhaps all the postings are from him! Not sure about Nosworthy either while Fitz Hall is the new sick note. The attack is great. The defence???

Change is good but not too many as it creates gaps. Forget Man City, it's the league that provides our bread and butter. Solid foundations are built on rock solid defences.Old boy Powell came and stole the points.

MJ1 wrote:
A few questions for GFZ.
1. What do you regard as more important, the Championship play offs or the FA Cup?
2. If the Championship why make 5 changes from Saturday and why didn't you play your strongest side?
3. Are you under pressure from Nani or the owners to give other loanees a match? Is the size of your squad, with so many loanees, compromising your selection decisions?
4. Who is the leader on the pitch. Can a goalie effectively be the leader?
5. When you saw the defence was crumbling, why didn't you change it?
6. When will Eustace and Doyley be fit? Will you play them?
7. Do you agree a young developing team needs a strong (British?) core - if so where's Watford's?

1. The Championship... which is why we're in the play-offs. Do you think these guys can play 90 minutes of football every three days and not get tired? The season goes on until May!
2. See above
3. The loanees are our best players. Or would you rather get Dicko, Forsyth, Nosworthy, Jenkins, Iwelumo and Whichelow in? We overachieved finishing mid-table last year and now we're in the play-offs!!
4. He was injured... and Eustace isn't match fit yet. Hardly Zola's fault.
5. Because the options on the bench with Hall out wouldn't have improved the situation. Nosworthy is not a leader; don't confuse physical size with leadership
6. I'm sure he will
7. Eustace: injured... Hall: injured... Murray didn't have a great game (not really his fault, he's been out of the side for a while)... and Hogg's shattered

Question for you:
How on earth can you be unhappy with this season in comparison with last season?

Zola picks that lot of defenders for City and we get done 6-0! As for Murrary lay of the booze and kebabs or join your dad behind the jump! Geijo top man today, especially 2nd half. Hope Zola learns from today!

Hey guys interesting rumour i found today.

Swiss international, Johan Djourou, is in talks with Championship side, Watford after falling out of favour with the Arsenal side. Gianfranco Zola is keen to snap up the 25 year old defender early in the transfer period.

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Former Fulham defender Carlos Salcido has expressed his desire to return to English football. The Mexican international will be the first of many signings for Zola at Watford as he looks to bring in experience to strengthen his young squad.


I think if there is substance in this they would be robust experienced additions what do you think?

buckler wrote:
Zola picks that lot of defenders for City and we get done 6-0! As for Murrary lay of the booze and kebabs or join your dad behind the jump! Geijo top man today, especially 2nd half. Hope Zola learns from today!

Too the point.... Shame we didn't get any..
Looking forward to a great day out next week..then back to the proper business please...

a1derek wrote:
Thought we were bullied out of it a bit by Charlton today, as soon as they realised the ref would allow GBH but book handballs! The challenge on Ekstrand was particularly nasty. Agree Sean Murray was totally off the pace but I can understand GFZ wanting to give as many of the squad a chance before he starts to trim down. I think young Sean needs to get his head straight and maybe a loan somewhere in a top'ish League One side might be the answer. He should have been there to help Cassetti for their second and just didn't bother to get back. Definitely missed Hall today as I do think Nueton and Hoban buckled under the physical assault.
The future, though, is still bright and our attacking play was sublime at times. What a wealth we have up front with Geijo, FF, Vydra and Deeney. A couple of tweaks in the window, a returning JE, and a shedding of dead wood should see us be there or there abouts come the end of the season.

Agree! Couldn't believe Murray started the game, he was so off the pace he should have been substituted at HT. 3 months at a Leauge 1 club playing first team football would be ideal, might make him grow up a bit too!

Felt sorry for Murray, whose best position is wide, with a full back behind him. As soon as I saw the team sheet, I thought we were light in midfield, and that proved to be the case.

I was happy with FF and Geijo up front, but would have started with Nosworthy. Now it looks as if he may have to be thrown in at the deep end on Saturday.

Tricky call for GZ, though. He picked a team that he judged good enough to win and, to be fair, it could have gone either way. Just not our day. Let's hope Saturday is! COYH!

Battachio should have been chosen before Murray...

Hampshire hornet wrote:
Battachio should have been chosen before Murray...

I agree with you on that one sir I am italian my self and follow italian football he is one player held in high regards but yet we play others before him . I think he would bring a whole new dynamic to the game.

It's all well and good saying this now!hindsight is a great thing.
Neuton came on at Brighton and did well, he was the fittest defender we had.
Hoban has been class and if he had played amazing today then we would all be raving still, to say he should have been rested when he has been playing so well is laughable! He just missed fitz.
Everything has already been said about Murray, looked out of his depth.
The league is more important and GZ probably realises that now.
Front 2 did well, lets not kid ourselves , it's amazing to have 4 class options but I'm sure all 4 of them want a consistent run in the team instead of the tag of 'a home player or good away from home'.

JohnnyBarnes wrote:

Maclanx wrote:
Too many changes today GFZ. If Noz is fit again, why didn't he start or at least come on as sub?

A lot of people on here need to actually think about what they're writing to be honest... or, more accurately, write with a bit of consistency. We weren't going to win the league after the Brighton game, and we're not a bad side after this one. The eleven that Zola picked today was not one that underestimated Charlton, but a sensible one for a number of reasons.

With Hall injured, Neuton was the fittest of the defenders available. Deserved his chance after doing well at the Amex.
Nosworthy is, I'm afraid, not the answer. Nowhere near comfortable enough on the ball, and he was appalling in the couple of games after Martin Taylor left. People who think he's a leader should've seen him at Bolton! That was his chance to prove himself as a lynchpin and an organiser, and his bottle went.
Hogg works so hard off the ball that he can't be expected to play week in week out.
Fessi and Geijo are ideal for opening teams up at home, as they proved today.

I put this loss down to Hall being out, which can't be helped - and, in hindsight, a midfield too inexperienced to put their foot on the ball and calm things down at pivotal moments in the game

... but it's one game, we'll learn from it, we're still in the play-offs despite nobody (including a number of people on these message boards) giving us a prayer, we're in safe hands - and a lot of very good footballers are about to commit their immediate futures to our football club.

I really don't see that there's very much for us to get upset about.

Well said, a very accurate post.

JohnnyBarnes wrote:

Maclanx wrote:
Too many changes today GFZ. If Noz is fit again, why didn't he start or at least come on as sub?

A lot of people on here need to actually think about what they're writing to be honest... or, more accurately, write with a bit of consistency. We weren't going to win the league after the Brighton game, and we're not a bad side after this one. The eleven that Zola picked today was not one that underestimated Charlton, but a sensible one for a number of reasons.

With Hall injured, Neuton was the fittest of the defenders available. Deserved his chance after doing well at the Amex.
Nosworthy is, I'm afraid, not the answer. Nowhere near comfortable enough on the ball, and he was appalling in the couple of games after Martin Taylor left. People who think he's a leader should've seen him at Bolton! That was his chance to prove himself as a lynchpin and an organiser, and his bottle went.
Hogg works so hard off the ball that he can't be expected to play week in week out.
Fessi and Geijo are ideal for opening teams up at home, as they proved today.

I put this loss down to Hall being out, which can't be helped - and, in hindsight, a midfield too inexperienced to put their foot on the ball and calm things down at pivotal moments in the game

... but it's one game, we'll learn from it, we're still in the play-offs despite nobody (including a number of people on these message boards) giving us a prayer, we're in safe hands - and a lot of very good footballers are about to commit their immediate futures to our football club.

I really don't see that there's very much for us to get upset about.

At last, someone with a bit of reason. Far too many people on here getting a bit too carried away with one poor performance and result. Think of the BIGGER picture!!

Strange performance after the Brighton game we never seemed up for it today. Just shows no matter who you play in this league you have to earn the right to play. We didn't do that today and got what we deserved. Like most people on here I wouldn't have started with the team we did but on the day Charlton played at the top of their game and beat us fair & square. One bad day at the office of a fantastic first half of the season. It's going to be a roller coster few months what a change to ticking off the points till we get to 53 which is all I have done for the last few years. We are one of the best teams in this league and had a bad day lets just move on.

U 'Orns

Did'nt think charlton were all that to be honest, on another day we could of won 7-5 lol. Our defending was awful today and as many have said missed one size or a leader in the middle, i think today shows what a great amount of work hogg does. Dont think hoban needs to be rested...just needed a leader.
Strange to bring in murray, surely it would of made sense to use one of the players who has been coming off the bench in recent in weeks? I would of rested hogg next week and i would be tempted to experiment at man city..maybe try a 4-4-2 and use some of our other "squad" players. I think we are a fair way ahead of where we were expecting to be and when you consider the teams above us have been building there teams for 2/3 seasons then we are way ahead of where we should be

Free transfers that would add experience and steele to our team.

Craig Gordon GK

John Mensah CDM

Gianluca Zambrotta LWB

Mikael Silvestre CB LB

Asier Del Horno LB

Owen Hargreaves CDM

Cristiano Zanetti CAM

Royston Drenthe LM

Tom De Mul RM

James McFadden CAM

Harry Kewell CAM

John Carew CF

What do you guys think?

MUSTOITALIA wrote:
Free transfers that would add experience and steele to our team.

Craig Gordon GK

John Mensah CDM

Gianluca Zambrotta LWB

Mikael Silvestre CB LB

Asier Del Horno LB

Owen Hargreaves CDM

Cristiano Zanetti CAM

Royston Drenthe LM

Tom De Mul RM

James McFadden CAM

Harry Kewell CAM

John Carew CF

What do you guys think?

I assume that was a joke ? Wouldn't take any of those, nor Djourou nor salcido mentioned above.

Don't understand why Battochio didn't start.

I think Murray may have blown his last chance....at least for some time. Real risk he is going to blow a promising career.

JohnnyBarnes wrote:

MJ1 wrote:
A few questions for GFZ.
1. What do you regard as more important, the Championship play offs or the FA Cup?
2. If the Championship why make 5 changes from Saturday and why didn't you play your strongest side?
3. Are you under pressure from Nani or the owners to give other loanees a match? Is the size of your squad, with so many loanees, compromising your selection decisions?
4. Who is the leader on the pitch. Can a goalie effectively be the leader?
5. When you saw the defence was crumbling, why didn't you change it?
6. When will Eustace and Doyley be fit? Will you play them?
7. Do you agree a young developing team needs a strong (British?) core - if so where's Watford's?

1. The Championship... which is why we're in the play-offs. Do you think these guys can play 90 minutes of football every three days and not get tired? The season goes on until May!
2. See above
3. The loanees are our best players. Or would you rather get Dicko, Forsyth, Nosworthy, Jenkins, Iwelumo and Whichelow in? We overachieved finishing mid-table last year and now we're in the play-offs!!
4. He was injured... and Eustace isn't match fit yet. Hardly Zola's fault.
5. Because the options on the bench with Hall out wouldn't have improved the situation. Nosworthy is not a leader; don't confuse physical size with leadership
6. I'm sure he will
7. Eustace: injured... Hall: injured... Murray didn't have a great game (not really his fault, he's been out of the side for a while)... and Hogg's shattered

Question for you:
How on earth can you be unhappy with this season in comparison with last season?

1. Of course the Championship is the priority.
2. So why not pick your strongest side? They hadn't played on Boxing Day?
3. Why drop Vydra for Geilo and Deeney for Forestieri? If Nosworthy is not fit why was he on the bench?
4. Almunia cannot be the leader; it needs an outfield player.
5. Neuton was a disaster and Hoban having conceded a penalty at Brighton and given an og today has his confidence ebbing. Nosworthy would have brought some steel to the defence.
6. When will they be fit? Why cant we be told?
7. Who says Hogg is shattered; he's a professional and would have played his usual effective game infront of the defence today. Instead we had Murray who. if the stories are true, lacks professionalism off the pitch.
Zola is not god; he makes mistakes. Can't use subs to change a game is a big weakness.
Is this season better than last - lets judge that in May

JohnnyBarnes wrote:

MJ1 wrote:
A few questions for GFZ.
1. What do you regard as more important, the Championship play offs or the FA Cup?
2. If the Championship why make 5 changes from Saturday and why didn't you play your strongest side?
3. Are you under pressure from Nani or the owners to give other loanees a match? Is the size of your squad, with so many loanees, compromising your selection decisions?
4. Who is the leader on the pitch. Can a goalie effectively be the leader?
5. When you saw the defence was crumbling, why didn't you change it?
6. When will Eustace and Doyley be fit? Will you play them?
7. Do you agree a young developing team needs a strong (British?) core - if so where's Watford's?

1. The Championship... which is why we're in the play-offs. Do you think these guys can play 90 minutes of football every three days and not get tired? The season goes on until May!
2. See above
3. The loanees are our best players. Or would you rather get Dicko, Forsyth, Nosworthy, Jenkins, Iwelumo and Whichelow in? We overachieved finishing mid-table last year and now we're in the play-offs!!
4. He was injured... and Eustace isn't match fit yet. Hardly Zola's fault.
5. Because the options on the bench with Hall out wouldn't have improved the situation. Nosworthy is not a leader; don't confuse physical size with leadership
6. I'm sure he will
7. Eustace: injured... Hall: injured... Murray didn't have a great game (not really his fault, he's been out of the side for a while)... and Hogg's shattered

Question for you:
How on earth can you be unhappy with this season in comparison with last season?

1. Of course the Championship is the priority.
2. So why not pick your strongest side? They hadn't played on Boxing Day?
3. Why drop Vydra for Geilo and Deeney for Forestieri? If Nosworthy is not fit why was he on the bench?
4. Almunia cannot be the leader; it needs an outfield player.
5. Neuton was a disaster and Hoban having conceded a penalty at Brighton and given an og today has his confidence ebbing. Nosworthy would have brought some steel to the defence.
6. When will they be fit? Why cant we be told?
7. Who says Hogg is shattered; he's a professional and would have played his usual effective game infront of the defence today. Instead we had Murray who. if the stories are true, lacks professionalism off the pitch.
Zola is not god; he makes mistakes. Can't use subs to change a game is a big weakness.
Is this season better than last - lets judge that in May

I thinkmaking 5 changes would disrupt any team. Until the corner that led to the own goal we were well on top and could have been 2 or 3 nil up. Charlton out muscled us, their number 4 was dominant and their 44 roughed up the forwards. Neuton needs to be a lot more careful,at one point i thought he was going to get sent off for 'over reacting/diving' after tussles with the opposition. I am sure the last two goalswer partly due to him being on a yellow,and lacking the confidence to be as physical as he needed to be. Without Hogg the 3 defenders lack cover. Not sure why Yeates came on, but heyho still in top 6 with plenty toplay for.

Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:

MUSTOITALIA wrote:
Free transfers that would add experience and steele to our team.

Craig Gordon GK

John Mensah CDM

Gianluca Zambrotta LWB

Mikael Silvestre CB LB

Asier Del Horno LB

Owen Hargreaves CDM

Cristiano Zanetti CAM

Royston Drenthe LM

Tom De Mul RM

James McFadden CAM

Harry Kewell CAM

John Carew CF

What do you guys think?

I assume that was a joke ? Wouldn't take any of those, nor Djourou nor salcido mentioned above.

Don't understand why Battochio didn't start.

I think Murray may have blown his last chance....at least for some time. Real risk he is going to blow a promising career.

No not a joke at all. I could think of 4/5 of those players if kept fit would be great additions to our squad. Del horno Zambrotta Hargreaves Drenth and McFadden would all be good signings for us to add a mature experience and leadership. They are all better than Nos Murray and Hoban.

I write this from the comfort of my pool side bed in Florida. Three days ago Zola was God today he's a plonker! Some comparing this to last season. There is no comparison this is by far superior, but it is after all the championship where all teams have a wobble.
We will be there at the end, not gripping on for survival with twenty points deducted for admin, under the last regime.
These are infinitely better days, but we will get beaten, that's life and that's what make you appreciate the wins all the more.
So you whining whinnies I'm now going back to my cold beer and the sunshine, you do need to get real.
Hope you all have a great day at City as I'm sure you will!
You horns.

Nice one LD !
The reaction of some on here to us losing a game is laughable ! makes you wonder how old they are ?
Cardiff got smashed at home to Peterborough a couple of weeks ago you know s**t happens.
Enjoy your beer in the sun LD

Rousman 2 and MJ1 you are a disgrace to be watford supporters and i hope you both throw away your match day tickets as you cant really be season ticket holders with attitude like that. Ekstrand was a bit of a dissapointment for me as he didnt lead neuton or hoban today and they were both poor.FF was ok and geijo was outstanding...best player we have to hold up the ball and his passing was great. Murray looks like he doesnt wanna be there so put him away some where for a few months. City will be a good day out with nothing to lose so stop whining all you numptys out there. Charlton pushed kicked bullied hoofed and we dont like that...football dont like that but if thats only way they could win then thats what thay had to do...would you wanna watch that every week ??

smarkymark wrote:
Sorry slip of the finger he is not 9!

please, no Jimmy Savile quotes.

bigthunder wrote:

KeithMercer wrote:

bigthunder wrote:
Have to say it is a longtime since i felt so angry at a Watford performance and particularly the managers contribution to this mess

so many times changes are made , i can understand that to a point BUT 5 for this game totally gave the initiative to struggling Charlton team , no doubt chris powell said to his team , there you go they think this will be a walk over with them making so many changes , did the trick as fired them up no end , 1st mistake Zola

then surprise surprise it is the forwards and midfielders who are changed / rested whatever you want to call it however it is our defensive which is our weak link!!

We cannot keep a flaming clean sheet !! yet still Hoban elkstrand play on , caught up with hoban in particular today , 2nd mistake Zola

then goalkeeper is injured so obvious particulary causing the second goal as he was rooted to the spot , then went down when goal went in , yet still came out for second half and guess what another cross to a free header as the useless neuton looked on and goalie stayed on his line , 3rd mistake zola

personally could not give a monkeys if we win at city , laughable as that sounds with this defence , city would have got double figures today , 3 at the back against them particulary if that awful player neuton plays will be suicide , over to you zola , your tinkering cost us massively today and after such a good result Saturday .

YOU thought we just had to turn up to beat Charlton , saturdays team with the momentum would have beat this charlton team , they not only beat us but scored 4 goals at our place , shocking day poor management and as i said i am so angry

we will NOT win FA cup we have a chance of play offs or more yet todays team showed you must play your in form best team , feel very let down today , managed to persuade a couple of floating wfc fans to attend today , they looked at me as if i was daft having witnessed that performance ,

sorry Gianfranco you have done decent so far but what on earth you were thinking today i do not know so disappointed , wish i could say a decent side beat us , they did not , think we started to beleive all the good press after saturday ?

Calm down mate !!!
I think its YOU who has started to believe all the good press ! this was always going to be tricky game and sometimes you get things wrong, but lets not throw the baby out with the bath water.

fair enough but really you think this was a tricky game ? , as i said the team that beat Brighton saturday would have wiped the floor with this very average Charlton team , with or without the injured Hall , all about opinions i suppose but i stand by all my points

Big thunder got it exactly right! If i could be bothered to write a big post it would have said something very similar

Its the Championship - anyone can get beaten on the day. Some fans are expecting too much too soon methinks.

KeithMercer wrote:
Nice one LD !
The reaction of some on here to us losing a game is laughable ! makes you wonder how old they are ?
Cardiff got smashed at home to Peterborough a couple of weeks ago you know s**t happens.
Enjoy your beer in the sun LD

Why is it laughable? We should and could have won, yes we are infinetely better off than last year but we still should have won the game yesterday!! we would have if Zola hadn't made 5 changes, albeit one enforced. Why change a winning team?

lutondown wrote:
I write this from the comfort of my pool side bed in Florida. Three days ago Zola was God today he's a plonker! Some comparing this to last season. There is no comparison this is by far superior, but it is after all the championship where all teams have a wobble.
We will be there at the end, not gripping on for survival with twenty points deducted for admin, under the last regime.
These are infinitely better days, but we will get beaten, that's life and that's what make you appreciate the wins all the more.
So you whining whinnies I'm now going back to my cold beer and the sunshine, you do need to get real.
Hope you all have a great day at City as I'm sure you will!
You horns.

I love how LD covers up the fact he's having a moan by saying 'you whining whinnies need to get real', therefore it supposedly makes it ok for him to criticise Zola but not others.

Gianluca...no one care about what you say to go and do one.

jasonwatford wrote:
Rousman 2 and MJ1 you are a disgrace to be watford supporters and i hope you both throw away your match day tickets as you cant really be season ticket holders with attitude like that. Ekstrand was a bit of a dissapointment for me as he didnt lead neuton or hoban today and they were both poor.FF was ok and geijo was outstanding...best player we have to hold up the ball and his passing was great. Murray looks like he doesnt wanna be there so put him away some where for a few months. City will be a good day out with nothing to lose so stop whining all you numptys out there. Charlton pushed kicked bullied hoofed and we dont like that...football dont like that but if thats only way they could win then thats what thay had to do...would you wanna watch that every week ??

Season ticket holder and 54 years supporting Watford since a kid on the terraces and proud of it.
I've learned a lot over the years. One lesson is that those who rely on insults usually have the least interesting thing to say.

jasonwatford wrote:
Gianluca...no one care about what you say to go and do one.

Jason you've just been slaughtered by MJ1 so screw you, plenty of people love my bant.

At the start of this season I would have settled for mid table with the intention of pushing on next season. Yes of course I am still disappointed with yesterday but GZ will have learnt a lot. For what it's worth these were my observations 1) Murray shocking & I would have taken him off after 30 minutes!His fitness was never going to improve diring the game 2) Geijo class when we eventually got our forwards behind their defenders-1st half fowards came too deep3) Neuton & Ekstrand can both play but please not together,4)Still a place in side for Eustace on evidence of this & also Hull game! we needed someone in middle of park to protect defence & enable Chalobah to assist moving foward.
Anyways Onwards and upwards! BTW The build up and execution of Geijo goal was incredible!

GianlucaVialli the better italian wrote:

jasonwatford wrote:
Gianluca...no one care about what you say to go and do one.

Jason you've just been slaughtered by MJ1 so screw you, plenty of people love my bant.

Hope your cold and wet. But you'd be that on a sunny day.
No I didn't criticise GFZ, I'm more than happy with him.
Your banter? No it's not banter, it's asides from behind your yellow screen!
Now back to my ice cold beer....

lutondown wrote:

GianlucaVialli the better italian wrote:

jasonwatford wrote:
Gianluca...no one care about what you say to go and do one.

Jason you've just been slaughtered by MJ1 so screw you, plenty of people love my bant.

Hope your cold and wet. But you'd be that on a sunny day.
No I didn't criticise GFZ, I'm more than happy with him.
Your banter? No it's not banter, it's asides from behind your yellow screen!
Now back to my ice cold beer....

I am highly banterous. My iPad Mini (yes I own one, be jealous) doesn't have a yellow screen.
Enjoy the beverage, would rather be at the etihad getting wet over a hornets win than in the Florida sun.

GianlucaVialli the better italian wrote:

lutondown wrote:

GianlucaVialli the better italian wrote:

jasonwatford wrote:
Gianluca...no one care about what you say to go and do one.

Jason you've just been slaughtered by MJ1 so screw you, plenty of people love my bant.

Hope your cold and wet. But you'd be that on a sunny day.
No I didn't criticise GFZ, I'm more than happy with him.
Your banter? No it's not banter, it's asides from behind your yellow screen!
Now back to my ice cold beer....

I am highly banterous. My iPad Mini (yes I own one, be jealous) doesn't have a yellow screen.
Enjoy the beverage, would rather be at the etihad getting wet over a hornets win than in the Florida sun.

Mmmm tough one that fair weather fan. Glory hunter is you in your yellow frock. Sheff Weds? Nooo too cold too dark. Blackpool? Nooo too northern and damp. Reality is you are a nothing to me, and I'm writing this as I need a break from sunbathing. So enjoy the Etihad, as I hope all do. Good to see out of 6000 there will be one tool to embarrass us.
See your daft Chabolah comment, seems me and my minions were a jump in front of you on that story.
Mini ipad? You not man enough for a proper sized one, pee wee? Bless

lutondown wrote:

GianlucaVialli the better italian wrote:

lutondown wrote:

GianlucaVialli the better italian wrote:

jasonwatford wrote:
Gianluca...no one care about what you say to go and do one.

Jason you've just been slaughtered by MJ1 so screw you, plenty of people love my bant.

Hope your cold and wet. But you'd be that on a sunny day.
No I didn't criticise GFZ, I'm more than happy with him.
Your banter? No it's not banter, it's asides from behind your yellow screen!
Now back to my ice cold beer....

I am highly banterous. My iPad Mini (yes I own one, be jealous) doesn't have a yellow screen.
Enjoy the beverage, would rather be at the etihad getting wet over a hornets win than in the Florida sun.

Mmmm tough one that fair weather fan. Glory hunter is you in your yellow frock. Sheff Weds? Nooo too cold too dark. Blackpool? Nooo too northern and damp. Reality is you are a nothing to me, and I'm writing this as I need a break from sunbathing. So enjoy the Etihad, as I hope all do. Good to see out of 6000 there will be one tool to embarrass us.
See your daft Chabolah comment, seems me and my minions were a jump in front of you on that story.
Mini ipad? You not man enough for a proper sized one, pee wee? Bless

Nothing to you? But I thought we had a special bond.
Sorry that like most horns fans I don't have the time or money for all away games.
I've given my mate Obama a call, he's gonna keep you in the US and you can watch some of their soccer. Have fun!

GianlucaVialli the better italian wrote:

lutondown wrote:

GianlucaVialli the better italian wrote:

lutondown wrote:

GianlucaVialli the better italian wrote:

jasonwatford wrote:
Gianluca...no one care about what you say to go and do one.

Jason you've just been slaughtered by MJ1 so screw you, plenty of people love my bant.

Hope your cold and wet. But you'd be that on a sunny day.
No I didn't criticise GFZ, I'm more than happy with him.
Your banter? No it's not banter, it's asides from behind your yellow screen!
Now back to my ice cold beer....

I am highly banterous. My iPad Mini (yes I own one, be jealous) doesn't have a yellow screen.
Enjoy the beverage, would rather be at the etihad getting wet over a hornets win than in the Florida sun.

Mmmm tough one that fair weather fan. Glory hunter is you in your yellow frock. Sheff Weds? Nooo too cold too dark. Blackpool? Nooo too northern and damp. Reality is you are a nothing to me, and I'm writing this as I need a break from sunbathing. So enjoy the Etihad, as I hope all do. Good to see out of 6000 there will be one tool to embarrass us.
See your daft Chabolah comment, seems me and my minions were a jump in front of you on that story.
Mini ipad? You not man enough for a proper sized one, pee wee? Bless

Nothing to you? But I thought we had a special bond.
Sorry that like most horns fans I don't have the time or money for all away games.
I've given my mate Obama a call, he's gonna keep you in the US and you can watch some of their soccer. Have fun!

Ld my friend. our 3rd musakteer M,met gianlucca the coward before the Charlton game.

gianlucca does not knnow who M is.

gianlucca is on twitter and follow me

he is only a young lad and is a bit chubby but will tell you its muscle. well he will till he see'syour musclel lol

im honoured.

although you will have to stop the nsultin posts now we have a face picture and a name.

karma has brought me back from the dead twice and is on my side.

Watch how quickly this post is reported and removed lol

I look forward to M introducing us all! I will pat his chubby head and give a goochy coo. Bless