Zola: 'Not a big difference between Watford and Man City' (From Watford Observer)

mile high ron wrote:
At least we wont meet looton in the next round...

Watfordwes wrote:
Good day out, good learning curve for Zola and players.

A couple struggled albeit in very lofty company. Others really impressed, chalobah, Ekstrand, doyley and vydra all did very well.

Forestieri did not track his man and showed gulf between prem and championship. Although looked lively at times.

Eustace off the pace which is understandable and booking did not help him. But his pass completion needed to be higher and he slowed our counter attacking at times.

Ps was Hogg really injured or is there something to the Ipswich rumours?

Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:
Lots of speculation about Hogg possibly leaving. He's fit but rested vs charlton and then develops a mystery hamstring injury, presumably during training, which prevents him being cuptied.

Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:

mile high ron wrote: At least we wont meet looton in the next round...

Beating the non-leaguers by 6 or 7 would have been great. Now is the time to play them while there is such a gulf between the 2 teams.

philthehorn wrote:
where has the rumour that Hogg is off to Ipswich come from? Why would he want to leave when have chance of play offs and has been a regular in the side

mile high ron wrote:
At least we wont meet looton in the next round...

Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:
Lots of speculation about Hogg possibly leaving. He's fit but rested vs charlton and then develops a mystery hamstring injury, presumably during training, which prevents him being cuptied.

Chariots wrote:
Really enjoyed the Etihad today. 6000 hornets expecting the Zola revolution to continue. Even though city were deserved winners, we played good football and a style that has not been associated with us. There are ways to lose a footy match and I can stomach the way we lost today. We can hold our heads up high.
Zola got selection spot on today. When feeling weak and defensive of mind most people resort to safe decisions. Playing Lloyd,nos and eustace were safe but also the right decisions. If this had been a normal league match I think Zola would have been brave and not played these Watford stalwarts. All 3 were worthy of there selection. Next weeks selection should be interesting. Hall,abdi, Hogg and Hoban all available. What options we have.
We did not pass the ball quick enough today to cause city problems which means we still need more quality in squad. We prob competed like a prem mid table team today but they have players with perm experience which we still lack. Abdi sorely missed today.
If we get a million for Hogg we should take it. Hogg doesn't pass the ball well enough to be a top prem player, if we want to stay in prem he will surely be a squad player. Eustace on today's display can easily do his role in championship until we can unearth a better replacement. Higgs money can be used to pay for abdi,vydra,fessi etc.
eustace might have his knockers but his central role, enabled chalabah to display his passing ability today. He did a lot of donkey work. On today's showing I thought our best performers were Lloyd, chalabah, vydra and ekstrand. Eustace a little slow but easily good enough in championship. A learning curve today but I'm not too disheartened by the result. I still believe automatic promotion is obtainable. Come on you horns.
P.s if fessi could finish he would have made a real name for himself today. If only those chances had fell to vydra.

dominicfoleyisgod wrote:
Eustace was awful. I would have Hogg in there over him every day. Hogg is younger, fitter and puts in a lot more miles. Estate was still attempting the hopeful chips which were gobbled up by the city defence. Definitely missed abdi.
Elkstrand did well and I though bond made some great saves for a young lad.
Some positives and a good learning curve to show players how much more is needed.
Hope some of these fans can be at boro and forest.
Now for the promotion bid !

onion8837 wrote:
Don't understand GFZ's comments - we were massively second best and created **** all. No disgrace against a team which cost £220m but nonetheless,was a bit of a wake up call.

And we missed Abdi and Hogg hugely - if eustace is the answer, I am not sure what the question is - he cannot pass the ball more than 3 feet and even then he hits it too hard / too soft (delete as applicable)

Eastsussexhornet wrote:

Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:
Lots of speculation about Hogg possibly leaving. He's fit but rested vs charlton and then develops a mystery hamstring injury, presumably during training, which prevents him being cuptied.

Never been impressed with him. He can go as far as I am concerned.

Essex Hornet wrote:
A good effort by the lads but If Forestieri had scored and we had taken the other half chances it could have all been so different. Yes Eustace was a bit off the pace but that was only to be expected after so long out. Bond had a great game and kept us in it. His save from Balotelli was superb.
There may have been 6000 of us up there but was it just me who was dissapointed with the lack of singing once we went behind. Well done to all the lads in section 213 who kept on singing for the boys right till the end. We really should be making more noise when there are so many of us.
Now we can focus on staying in the top six and oushing for p
romotion.

Terry Dactile wrote:
The amount of times people on here criticise people in a merciless way first game back after a long injury is completely astounding. IT TAKES A MINIMUM OF SEVEN GAMES TO GET MATCH FIT!!!!!!!! Eustace has been an excellent servant to this club and a fit Captain in the middle would have made huge difference in a number of matches this season. Look at the Charlton game! As for Doyley he was excellent before injury as part of the 3 at the back. Some people on here are so ignorant about the game. We won't play another team anywhere near Cities class again this season, so we move on.

Travelling Hornet wrote:
About the singing we seemed to have lost the togetherness and don't have a 'default' chant, apart from the feeble Yellow Army, we need a zigger zagger ( I'm showing my age) character ,we need someone to orchastrate the singing .
The trouble with having so many fans , is the singers are in small groups, spead out like the home games.
At league away games and having a lot less fans the atmosphere is more intimate and the chant can be heard and sung by everyone.
Through years of drab football our support has dwindled and with it the skill of chanting .

Bush Hornet wrote:

Travelling Hornet wrote:
About the singing we seemed to have lost the togetherness and don't have a 'default' chant, apart from the feeble Yellow Army, we need a zigger zagger ( I'm showing my age) character ,we need someone to orchastrate the singing .
The trouble with having so many fans , is the singers are in small groups, spead out like the home games.
At league away games and having a lot less fans the atmosphere is more intimate and the chant can be heard and sung by everyone.
Through years of drab football our support has dwindled and with it the skill of chanting .

That's why we need unallocated seats

tiger bay wrote:
Sure we were outclassed but get real...City are the Premiership Champions!! Many positives to take from this....Quality performances from Bond, Nosworthy, Ekstrand and Vydra... Nat Chalobah and Nando Forestieri not looking at all outta place until they ran out of steam. Downside?? Zola's tactics..Pudil hopelessly exposed and outnumbered by the system, should of immediately switched to a 4-5-1. I suspect the 'words' Pudil had with Zola on the half way line on about 30 mins was the reason he was subbed. Deeneys 1st touch was worse than awful and it was grossly unfair for Zola to put Capt. John in at the deep end where he was always goin to struggle with the mobility of world class players. Doyley had his best game of the season..not difficult by his standards and Ginger Bia and Pistachio showed glimpses of real class..All in all a great experience..just need to clear out all the dead wood now and bring in 2 quality replacements and the play-offs will be nailed on..

tiger bay wrote:
Sure we were outclassed but get real...City are the Premiership Champions!! Many positives to take from this....Quality performances from Bond, Nosworthy, Ekstrand and Vydra... Nat Chalobah and Nando Forestieri not looking at all outta place until they ran out of steam. Downside?? Zola's tactics..Pudil hopelessly exposed and outnumbered by the system, should of immediately switched to a 4-5-1. I suspect the 'words' Pudil had with Zola on the half way line on about 30 mins was the reason he was subbed. Deeneys 1st touch was worse than awful and it was grossly unfair for Zola to put Capt. John in at the deep end where he was always goin to struggle with the mobility of world class players. Doyley had his best game of the season..not difficult by his standards and Ginger Bia and Pistachio showed glimpses of real class..All in all a great experience..just need to clear out all the dead wood now and bring in 2 quality replacements and the play-offs will be nailed on..

Bush Hornet wrote:

tiger bay wrote:
Sure we were outclassed but get real...City are the Premiership Champions!! Many positives to take from this....Quality performances from Bond, Nosworthy, Ekstrand and Vydra... Nat Chalobah and Nando Forestieri not looking at all outta place until they ran out of steam. Downside?? Zola's tactics..Pudil hopelessly exposed and outnumbered by the system, should of immediately switched to a 4-5-1. I suspect the 'words' Pudil had with Zola on the half way line on about 30 mins was the reason he was subbed. Deeneys 1st touch was worse than awful and it was grossly unfair for Zola to put Capt. John in at the deep end where he was always goin to struggle with the mobility of world class players. Doyley had his best game of the season..not difficult by his standards and Ginger Bia and Pistachio showed glimpses of real class..All in all a great experience..just need to clear out all the dead wood now and bring in 2 quality replacements and the play-offs will be nailed on..

Agreed with most of this but hate the term dead wood when talking about our players. Next person to use the term is a plank! (did u see what I did there?)

NorthHertsHornet28 wrote:
Hogg and Eustace are very similar players, they play the same role, they are in the team to be disruptive and destroy/break up opposition attacks and play the simple ball to the other ball carrying midfielders i.e. Chalobah/Abdi. Eustace is still a decent Championship player and I would favour him over Hogg due to his experience, leadership and passing ability, an older head mixed in with the younger players will be beneficial, i.e.. someone to have a word/or put an arm round fernando when he's sulking because he hasn't got the decision etc. Hogg is a solid player and I hope the rumours aren't true, I just think Eustace has more to offer between now and the end of season. Just because he didn't have the best game against the champions of England, doesn't mean he's past it, because remember we DO NOT play teams of Manchester City's caliber week in week out...not yet anyway!!

NorthHertsHornet28 wrote:
Hogg and Eustace are very similar players, they play the same role, they are in the team to be disruptive and destroy/break up opposition attacks and play the simple ball to the other ball carrying midfielders i.e. Chalobah/Abdi. Eustace is still a decent Championship player and I would favour him over Hogg due to his experience, leadership and passing ability, an older head mixed in with the younger players will be beneficial, i.e.. someone to have a word/or put an arm round fernando when he's sulking because he hasn't got the decision etc. Hogg is a solid player and I hope the rumours aren't true, I just think Eustace has more to offer between now and the end of season. Just because he didn't have the best game against the champions of England, doesn't mean he's past it, because remember we DO NOT play teams of Manchester City's caliber week in week out...not yet anyway!!

Holly68 wrote:
Upper tier was very quiet and full of people who don't normally attend away games. Unreserved seating is the answer. We have an international pop star as our life president yet we have no "anthem", our songs are feeble. Too many people in awe, I just wanted to win and get in their faces. Team second best from 1st minute, City in 1st gear throughout, could've been 5 or 6 had City upped a gear. Ekstrand my MoM, but thought back 4 did well in circumstances. 1st goal wall broke, 2nd goal pathetic attempt by Pudil on Barry, third goal we didn't follow up after save. We didn't need a cup run, need to focus on league, that's why still annoyed at the Charlton defeat. Next 4 games CRUCIAL, could cement top 6 or be mid table by end January. Felt sorry for Geijo. MoM Tuesday, didn't get on today. FF very poor last two games, not sure about him now !

KeithMercer wrote:
Didnt think our support was that bad, I was in upper and thought we gave it some. But was ashamed of our supporters chanting UTD ! now that was pathetic.
Agree with most of posts on how the game played out, just thought we never quite had any sustained pressure and Fessi needs to stay behind with vydra and work on his finishing.
onwards and upwards a lot of our Championship rivals have got replays to contend with so that should work in our favor also .

Oracledave wrote:

NorthHertsHornet28 wrote:
Hogg and Eustace are very similar players, they play the same role, they are in the team to be disruptive and destroy/break up opposition attacks and play the simple ball to the other ball carrying midfielders i.e. Chalobah/Abdi. Eustace is still a decent Championship player and I would favour him over Hogg due to his experience, leadership and passing ability, an older head mixed in with the younger players will be beneficial, i.e.. someone to have a word/or put an arm round fernando when he's sulking because he hasn't got the decision etc. Hogg is a solid player and I hope the rumours aren't true, I just think Eustace has more to offer between now and the end of season. Just because he didn't have the best game against the champions of England, doesn't mean he's past it, because remember we DO NOT play teams of Manchester City's caliber week in week out...not yet anyway!!

It is gratifying to see a balanced comment amongst a remoursless torrent of utter nonsense.

Eustace was one of our best players consistently last season - his performance against Spurs in the cup was majestic. Not only can he play the holding role he also performs in both boxes - how many goals did he score last term 6 ? 7?.

The point about Hogg having ten years on JE is a fair one, but he has a distance to go to achieve a similar level of contribution.

Boosey wrote:
Hogg plays = crap. Hogg not playing = We miss him.
Eustace plays = crap. Eustace not playing = We miss him.
600 away supporters = not good enough.
6000 away supporters = very quiet, better when only a few go.
If someone has an opinion please stick with it, if someone disagrees with you, so what! Don't change it to please others.
Personally, both above players are always missed when not playing and if I wasn't working yesterday would possibly have travelled to watch game.
Would I go to other away games on a regular basis? No, because I can't afford to and will pick and choose with my little spare cash.
As for singing home supporters, give them middle section, unreserved seating in Rookery.
Over the years we have had some **** owners but the team has always given it's best, I am sure the players read these comments, so be positive towards them. I'd rather support our yo yo team than any other.
Rant over!

Watfordwes wrote:

philthehorn wrote:
where has the rumour that Hogg is off to Ipswich come from? Why would he want to leave when have chance of play offs and has been a regular in the side

I don't know the origins but I know mick McCarthy was very keep on him as wolves manager before he got the sack!

Holly68 wrote:
Upper tier was very quiet and full of people who don't normally attend away games. Unreserved seating is the answer. We have an international pop star as our life president yet we have no "anthem", our songs are feeble. Too many people in awe, I just wanted to win and get in their faces. Team second best from 1st minute, City in 1st gear throughout, could've been 5 or 6 had City upped a gear. Ekstrand my MoM, but thought back 4 did well in circumstances. 1st goal wall broke, 2nd goal pathetic attempt by Pudil on Barry, third goal we didn't follow up after save. We didn't need a cup run, need to focus on league, that's why still annoyed at the Charlton defeat. Next 4 games CRUCIAL, could cement top 6 or be mid table by end January.

Felt sorry for Geijo. MoM Tuesday, didn't get on today. FF very poor last two games, not sure about him now !

GianlucaVialli the better italian wrote:
Eustace was awful, couldn't tackle and cost us the first goal, nor could he pass along the ground. Should of been taken off at half time. Got to get rid of him forgetting sentimental value as he doesn't suit our style.

Moment of the match was lloydinho absolutely rinsing David silva with a quality flick turn, we'd better watch out for a prem team coming in for him in the transfer window.

KeithMercer wrote:
PS
Pleased to see Fatty Mctosh got the result his disrespect deserved !!

AngelHornet wrote:
How about Neuton taking over from Pudil for the second half. Good or bad?

KeithMercer wrote:
Oh gawd ! all the negative numptys coming out in force now. We get beat by the Champions f England and its all doom and despair !. I am off now to bury my head in the sand and wont be back until there is something positive to talk about . I know you wont miss me but
COYH,S

gilesy97 wrote:

KeithMercer wrote:
Oh gawd ! all the negative numptys coming out in force now. We get beat by the Champions f England and its all doom and despair !. I am off now to bury my head in the sand and wont be back until there is something positive to talk about . I know you wont miss me but
COYH,S

I don't see how being realistic about yesterday , makes it negative . We were outclassed by a better team , but showed very little for a team in a play -off position , and that's what's disappointing.

lutondown wrote:

gilesy97 wrote:

KeithMercer wrote:
Oh gawd ! all the negative numptys coming out in force now. We get beat by the Champions f England and its all doom and despair !. I am off now to bury my head in the sand and wont be back until there is something positive to talk about . I know you wont miss me but
COYH,S

I don't see how being realistic about yesterday , makes it negative . We were outclassed by a better team , but showed very little for a team in a play -off position , and that's what's disappointing.

And a team that lost four of its best players to injury. But then that I suppose is GFZs fault.
Jesus wept

Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:

lutondown wrote:

gilesy97 wrote:

KeithMercer wrote:
Oh gawd ! all the negative numptys coming out in force now. We get beat by the Champions f England and its all doom and despair !. I am off now to bury my head in the sand and wont be back until there is something positive to talk about . I know you wont miss me but
COYH,S

I don't see how being realistic about yesterday , makes it negative . We were outclassed by a better team , but showed very little for a team in a play -off position , and that's what's disappointing.

And a team that lost four of its best players to injury. But then that I suppose is GFZs fault.
Jesus wept

So it was a great result, the perfect team selection, roared on by a vociferous 6,000 support, and anyone who disagrees is a "negative numpty" ? No-one has said we wont achieve the play-offs. Just a few comments questioning formation, tactics and how much noise the supporters made. Isn't that allowed ?

Hampshire hornet wrote:
Arrrrghhhh! Reality check everyone...
GFZ stated that he expects us to be challenging NEXT season for automatic promotion.. We are ahead of schedule ... Think back, this happened before as part of a 5 year plan.. What happened ? We became a bit of a EPL joke posting the lowest points total.. Thankfully that is no longer attributed to us..
We have a huge squad, we are now approaching the time where we can pick our best team.. This has happened all season .. To date.. We now have strength indepth..
We are not ready to be promoted...
I thought we may squeeze a draw yesterday.. That was not their 1st team! I then felt embarrassed that a replay means a game at the Vic.... We need bigger crowds, an atmosphere,a new East stand , then In18 months time we will be promoted with a gelled team, a great stadium, vocal support ..then we will benefit from an extended spell inthe EPL..if we go up this season,it could be the end of Zola..

Hampshire hornet wrote:
Dan as always agree with your post... Just need everyone to get behind the team..these are early days in the next chapter of our recent history.... Give the team time!

Boosey wrote:

Bush Hornet wrote:

tiger bay wrote:
Sure we were outclassed but get real...City are the Premiership Champions!! Many positives to take from this....Quality performances from Bond, Nosworthy, Ekstrand and Vydra... Nat Chalobah and Nando Forestieri not looking at all outta place until they ran out of steam. Downside?? Zola's tactics..Pudil hopelessly exposed and outnumbered by the system, should of immediately switched to a 4-5-1. I suspect the 'words' Pudil had with Zola on the half way line on about 30 mins was the reason he was subbed. Deeneys 1st touch was worse than awful and it was grossly unfair for Zola to put Capt. John in at the deep end where he was always goin to struggle with the mobility of world class players. Doyley had his best game of the season..not difficult by his standards and Ginger Bia and Pistachio showed glimpses of real class..All in all a great experience..just need to clear out all the dead wood now and bring in 2 quality replacements and the play-offs will be nailed on..

Agreed with most of this but hate the term dead wood when talking about our players. Next person to use the term is a plank! (did u see what I did there?)

LOL Looking forward to finding out who the plank will be!

bigthunder wrote:

Holly68 wrote:
Upper tier was very quiet and full of people who don't normally attend away games. Unreserved seating is the answer. We have an international pop star as our life president yet we have no "anthem", our songs are feeble. Too many people in awe, I just wanted to win and get in their faces. Team second best from 1st minute, City in 1st gear throughout, could've been 5 or 6 had City upped a gear. Ekstrand my MoM, but thought back 4 did well in circumstances. 1st goal wall broke, 2nd goal pathetic attempt by Pudil on Barry, third goal we didn't follow up after save. We didn't need a cup run, need to focus on league, that's why still annoyed at the Charlton defeat. Next 4 games CRUCIAL, could cement top 6 or be mid table by end January. Felt sorry for Geijo. MoM Tuesday, didn't get on today. FF very poor last two games, not sure about him now !

Have to almost totally agree with this post , personally am very surprised at the lack of critiscm of Zola after last two games , won't go over Charlton again with the crazy resting of players when we did not even play as many games over xmas as others , had boxing day off remember ,

Then yesterday he picks 3 centre backs , two of which have not played for weeks and weeks against the premiership champions ! we were totally exposed and pudil got no help from the lazy and luxury of a player in FF , class player not for me , certainly not a team player and when had chance for his bit of personal glory was found wanting not for the first time this season , cannot score goals

Then Zola brings back Eustace , again yet another player who has not played for Months this time , again against premiership champions
that's 3 players who have not played for a long time thrown in in this game !

Then Vydra our out and out striker is played wide not right up front where he is lethal , totally ineffective throughout and Deeney who was in that position was nothing more than a passenger and unusually for him put in little effort ,vydra has FF chance i think we know he would score !! and how does Geijo not get a game scandalous !

Ok yes we were playing the champions , yes unlikely to win let alone draw , but as Holly says above they never had to break sweat to beat us , 6000 fans there yes , and yes accept you have to sing and support the team but when you see your team so hopelessly outclassed with a team picked to go toe to toe with them which was stupid i can understand how some fans stay quiet and as for the utd song , shame on the wfc fans who sung that pathetic !!

Zola believes there was not a big difference well he is in dreamland in my opinion and very worrying if he thinks that !! , very concerned re Zola at the minute after last couple of games and his decisions , we had great momentum last saturday beating Brighton, what a difference a week makes and all down to unneccesary tinkering by the manager !

Well played to Chalobah , pure class and only player who really lived with the opposition so disapointed we did not get at them and go down fighting instead of with a whimper !

cup gone now and only makes me more annoyed at the Charlton result , stop your stupid tinkering Zola play your best team in the league , yes we had players missing , we do seem to have alot of injuries don't we , are our medical department too cautious ?

time to get back on track

Hopemole wrote:
I do hate the negativity of some of our so called fans. I was at Old Trafford in the 90's after our promotion with GT and we got stuffed by Cole and company. Yesterday we faced the Premiership champions and millions of pounds of talent and we didn't look out of place. We played with cohesion and skill and had Vydra been on the end of Forestieri's chance just after they scored, it would have been 1-1 and who knows how the game might have then developed. Bond's first exposure at this kind of level in goal revealed an intelligent young man with good distribution and shot stopping skills and quick to make important decisions despite the exalted company. He couldn't be faulted with any of the goals. Nosworthy was immense in defence despite his lay off and even the Man City supporters I spoke to mentioned this. I've never been a Doyley fan, but he played well and always did the sensible and simple things thus avoiding unnecessary danger. Yes Eustace was slightly off the pace particularly with the second goal but Silva is world class and was one of the best players on the pitch. This was a return after a massive setback and he coped remarkably well and can only get better. Who are these idiots that are writing him off already? Thank God I don't work for any of them!! Chalobah showed some world class touches and was completely unphased by his first appearance at this level. You can't coach those kind of skills. If only we could sign him for two or three years.Ekstrand, Cassetti and Vydra played well, although Deeney found this quality of defending difficult to cope with not surprisingly. It was the defensive part of midfield that was lacking at this level, but we would have beaten most teams in the championship playing this quality of football. Pity Hogg wasn't given an opportunity. The first goal came because Doyley was given a mighty manhandling push out of the wall and the ball went through the gap. The ref didn't see it. I was proud of being a Watford fan and thought we made a fair bit of noise. Here's to the next game. I have total confidence in Zola and his team and agree with his comments. Thank goodness he is in charge and not some of the contributors to this blog .Bigthunder you need enlightening! Onwards and upwards in this exciting project we are privileged to be witnessing. Come on Duffman where are you? We need some real support on here! As an afterthought who makes these man of the match awards. Must have been Milner's agent. Thought he was one of the worst of their players by a mile.

Stoney77 wrote:

bigthunder wrote:

Holly68 wrote:
Upper tier was very quiet and full of people who don't normally attend away games. Unreserved seating is the answer. We have an international pop star as our life president yet we have no "anthem", our songs are feeble. Too many people in awe, I just wanted to win and get in their faces. Team second best from 1st minute, City in 1st gear throughout, could've been 5 or 6 had City upped a gear. Ekstrand my MoM, but thought back 4 did well in circumstances. 1st goal wall broke, 2nd goal pathetic attempt by Pudil on Barry, third goal we didn't follow up after save. We didn't need a cup run, need to focus on league, that's why still annoyed at the Charlton defeat. Next 4 games CRUCIAL, could cement top 6 or be mid table by end January. Felt sorry for Geijo. MoM Tuesday, didn't get on today. FF very poor last two games, not sure about him now !

Have to almost totally agree with this post , personally am very surprised at the lack of critiscm of Zola after last two games , won't go over Charlton again with the crazy resting of players when we did not even play as many games over xmas as others , had boxing day off remember ,

Then yesterday he picks 3 centre backs , two of which have not played for weeks and weeks against the premiership champions ! we were totally exposed and pudil got no help from the lazy and luxury of a player in FF , class player not for me , certainly not a team player and when had chance for his bit of personal glory was found wanting not for the first time this season , cannot score goals

Then Zola brings back Eustace , again yet another player who has not played for Months this time , again against premiership champions
that's 3 players who have not played for a long time thrown in in this game !

Then Vydra our out and out striker is played wide not right up front where he is lethal , totally ineffective throughout and Deeney who was in that position was nothing more than a passenger and unusually for him put in little effort ,vydra has FF chance i think we know he would score !! and how does Geijo not get a game scandalous !

Ok yes we were playing the champions , yes unlikely to win let alone draw , but as Holly says above they never had to break sweat to beat us , 6000 fans there yes , and yes accept you have to sing and support the team but when you see your team so hopelessly outclassed with a team picked to go toe to toe with them which was stupid i can understand how some fans stay quiet and as for the utd song , shame on the wfc fans who sung that pathetic !!

Zola believes there was not a big difference well he is in dreamland in my opinion and very worrying if he thinks that !! , very concerned re Zola at the minute after last couple of games and his decisions , we had great momentum last saturday beating Brighton, what a difference a week makes and all down to unneccesary tinkering by the manager !

Well played to Chalobah , pure class and only player who really lived with the opposition so disapointed we did not get at them and go down fighting instead of with a whimper !

cup gone now and only makes me more annoyed at the Charlton result , stop your stupid tinkering Zola play your best team in the league , yes we had players missing , we do seem to have alot of injuries don't we , are our medical department too cautious ?

time to get back on track

You like a rant don't you? Are you ever happy?
Here's some thoughts on the points you raise:

You are 'surprised by the lack of criticism of Zola after the last 2 games'. That's because most people are not like you!! We lost one game in the championship (arguably the most competitive league in Europe where every week there is a result which goes against the form book/table) and this came off the back of a run of 1 defeat in 7, and then we lost against Manchester City, the REIGNING PREMIER LEAGUE CHAMPIONS, both games we were missing key players through injury and yet you think Zola should be criticised? This s utterly ridiculous.
He 'picks 2 centre backs that have not played for weeks and against the premier league champions'. Ummmm well were Nos and Doyley not 2 of our best players yesterday?? Also, with Almunia not playing, Zola could not play, Bond Hoban Ekstrand and Neuton. Firstly, there is zero experience and an average age of 20 so we would have been utterly rinsed; therefore we need to bring in experienced players and Doyley and Nosworthy have both played in the premierleague and many 'big games' - so Zola made 100% the correct decision here, particularly considering Neuton was poor against Charlton and irrespective of whether Hoban needed a rest.
Last week you lament Zola for so many changes yet this week it's 'scandalous' that Geijo does not get a game??? Hmmm, a little hypocrisy there.
WE ARE 6TH IN THE LEAGUE MATE. BE HAPPY!!!!

Hampshire hornet wrote:
Arrrrghhhh! Reality check everyone...
GFZ stated that he expects us to be challenging NEXT season for automatic promotion.. We are ahead of schedule ... Think back, this happened before as part of a 5 year plan.. What happened ? We became a bit of a EPL joke posting the lowest points total.. Thankfully that is no longer attributed to us..
We have a huge squad, we are now approaching the time where we can pick our best team.. This has happened all season .. To date.. We now have strength indepth..
We are not ready to be promoted...
I thought we may squeeze a draw yesterday.. That was not their 1st team! I then felt embarrassed that a replay means a game at the Vic.... We need bigger crowds, an atmosphere,a new East stand , then In18 months time we will be promoted with a gelled team, a great stadium, vocal support ..then we will benefit from an extended spell inthe EPL..if we go up this season,it could be the end of Zola..

gloryhornet4 wrote:

Hampshire hornet wrote:
Arrrrghhhh! Reality check everyone...
GFZ stated that he expects us to be challenging NEXT season for automatic promotion.. We are ahead of schedule ... Think back, this happened before as part of a 5 year plan.. What happened ? We became a bit of a EPL joke posting the lowest points total.. Thankfully that is no longer attributed to us..
We have a huge squad, we are now approaching the time where we can pick our best team.. This has happened all season .. To date.. We now have strength indepth..
We are not ready to be promoted...
I thought we may squeeze a draw yesterday.. That was not their 1st team! I then felt embarrassed that a replay means a game at the Vic.... We need bigger crowds, an atmosphere,a new East stand , then In18 months time we will be promoted with a gelled team, a great stadium, vocal support ..then we will benefit from an extended spell inthe EPL..if we go up this season,it could be the end of Zola..

I am another Hampshire Hornet. I expect you may be more Lymington way with a boat, whereas I am Southampton.

I think our joke season was a learning curve. TM being nobbled early season, failing to get a contract in front of DB, NW having his career ended, and ref decisions that are made from the sound of the crowd and not what he sees. WFC were criticised by a Mirror reporter for not trying like Bradford who stayed up one more season but fell to Div 4 - a lesson there, at least WFC did not spend cash of a lost cause.

I agree going up this season is not a long term strategy to stay up, - but WFC do have a major advantage - they won't have to worry about not being able to sign players in Aug/Jan because they may be relegation candidates. That is assuming the procession of loan players continues.

stevyweavy wrote:

GianlucaVialli the better italian wrote:
Eustace was awful, couldn't tackle and cost us the first goal, nor could he pass along the ground. Should of been taken off at half time. Got to get rid of him forgetting sentimental value as he doesn't suit our style.

Moment of the match was lloydinho absolutely rinsing David silva with a quality flick turn, we'd better watch out for a prem team coming in for him in the transfer window.

Absolute rubbish. He got the ball with his tackle so should not have had a free kick. The fault with the goal once the free kick was given was with the wall. If the wall had stood firm the ball would not have gone in the net. Did well considering his time out and the result may have been different if we had our shooting boots on. Man City deserved the win but we held our heads up high and worried them on ocassions.

Hampshire hornet wrote:

gloryhornet4 wrote:

Hampshire hornet wrote:
Arrrrghhhh! Reality check everyone...
GFZ stated that he expects us to be challenging NEXT season for automatic promotion.. We are ahead of schedule ... Think back, this happened before as part of a 5 year plan.. What happened ? We became a bit of a EPL joke posting the lowest points total.. Thankfully that is no longer attributed to us..
We have a huge squad, we are now approaching the time where we can pick our best team.. This has happened all season .. To date.. We now have strength indepth..
We are not ready to be promoted...
I thought we may squeeze a draw yesterday.. That was not their 1st team! I then felt embarrassed that a replay means a game at the Vic.... We need bigger crowds, an atmosphere,a new East stand , then In18 months time we will be promoted with a gelled team, a great stadium, vocal support ..then we will benefit from an extended spell inthe EPL..if we go up this season,it could be the end of Zola..

I am another Hampshire Hornet. I expect you may be more Lymington way with a boat, whereas I am Southampton.

I think our joke season was a learning curve. TM being nobbled early season, failing to get a contract in front of DB, NW having his career ended, and ref decisions that are made from the sound of the crowd and not what he sees. WFC were criticised by a Mirror reporter for not trying like Bradford who stayed up one more season but fell to Div 4 - a lesson there, at least WFC did not spend cash of a lost cause.

I agree going up this season is not a long term strategy to stay up, - but WFC do have a major advantage - they won't have to worry about not being able to sign players in Aug/Jan because they may be relegation candidates. That is assuming the procession of loan players continues.

Basingstoke.. Previously Bursledon..

francowatford wrote:
LD was quality considering the time out, he looked like he had been playing week in week out. I'm sorry to say this but Useless sorry Eustace was very out of his dept, I think Hogg is quality and does the dirty work that people miss and every team needs him.FF is starting to get up my hooter!! He has plenty of skill but Zola needs to find a better way of channeling his skill on the pitch that cuts teams apart more. Very impressed with Bond. Zola needs to start to learn when to sub players like Deeney when he is so pooped from running around should have taken him off after 60 minutes. Neutron, very dissapointed especially as I really want him to do well. Maybe we should try him in midfield

CARDIFFHORN wrote:

KeithMercer wrote:
PS
Pleased to see Fatty Mctosh got the result his disrespect deserved !!

Agree with this but alas he has got his priorities right, previous seasons they enjoyed cup runs which upset Lge form, it won't this time!!

givemwatfor wrote:
Eastsussexhornet says...
9:02pm Sat 5 Jan 13

"Never been impressed with him. He can go as far as I am concerned."


Fortunately for Watford FC you are not 'concerned' - the decision will rest with people who know what they are talking about.

francowatford wrote:
LD was quality considering the time out, he looked like he had been playing week in week out. I'm sorry to say this but Useless sorry Eustace was very out of his dept, I think Hogg is quality and does the dirty work that people miss and every team needs him.FF is starting to get up my hooter!! He has plenty of skill but Zola needs to find a better way of channeling his skill on the pitch that cuts teams apart more. Very impressed with Bond. Zola needs to start to learn when to sub players like Deeney when he is so pooped from running around should have taken him off after 60 minutes. Neutron, very dissapointed especially as I really want him to do well. Maybe we should try him in midfield

Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:

francowatford wrote:
LD was quality considering the time out, he looked like he had been playing week in week out. I'm sorry to say this but Useless sorry Eustace was very out of his dept, I think Hogg is quality and does the dirty work that people miss and every team needs him.FF is starting to get up my hooter!! He has plenty of skill but Zola needs to find a better way of channeling his skill on the pitch that cuts teams apart more. Very impressed with Bond. Zola needs to start to learn when to sub players like Deeney when he is so pooped from running around should have taken him off after 60 minutes. Neutron, very dissapointed especially as I really want him to do well. Maybe we should try him in midfield

Didn't realise that LutonDown had been out for so long ! ...and as for quality ??!!

Stoney77 wrote:

bigthunder wrote:

Holly68 wrote:
Upper tier was very quiet and full of people who don't normally attend away games. Unreserved seating is the answer. We have an international pop star as our life president yet we have no "anthem", our songs are feeble. Too many people in awe, I just wanted to win and get in their faces. Team second best from 1st minute, City in 1st gear throughout, could've been 5 or 6 had City upped a gear. Ekstrand my MoM, but thought back 4 did well in circumstances. 1st goal wall broke, 2nd goal pathetic attempt by Pudil on Barry, third goal we didn't follow up after save. We didn't need a cup run, need to focus on league, that's why still annoyed at the Charlton defeat. Next 4 games CRUCIAL, could cement top 6 or be mid table by end January. Felt sorry for Geijo. MoM Tuesday, didn't get on today. FF very poor last two games, not sure about him now !

Have to almost totally agree with this post , personally am very surprised at the lack of critiscm of Zola after last two games , won't go over Charlton again with the crazy resting of players when we did not even play as many games over xmas as others , had boxing day off remember ,

Then yesterday he picks 3 centre backs , two of which have not played for weeks and weeks against the premiership champions ! we were totally exposed and pudil got no help from the lazy and luxury of a player in FF , class player not for me , certainly not a team player and when had chance for his bit of personal glory was found wanting not for the first time this season , cannot score goals

Then Zola brings back Eustace , again yet another player who has not played for Months this time , again against premiership champions
that's 3 players who have not played for a long time thrown in in this game !

Then Vydra our out and out striker is played wide not right up front where he is lethal , totally ineffective throughout and Deeney who was in that position was nothing more than a passenger and unusually for him put in little effort ,vydra has FF chance i think we know he would score !! and how does Geijo not get a game scandalous !

Ok yes we were playing the champions , yes unlikely to win let alone draw , but as Holly says above they never had to break sweat to beat us , 6000 fans there yes , and yes accept you have to sing and support the team but when you see your team so hopelessly outclassed with a team picked to go toe to toe with them which was stupid i can understand how some fans stay quiet and as for the utd song , shame on the wfc fans who sung that pathetic !!

Zola believes there was not a big difference well he is in dreamland in my opinion and very worrying if he thinks that !! , very concerned re Zola at the minute after last couple of games and his decisions , we had great momentum last saturday beating Brighton, what a difference a week makes and all down to unneccesary tinkering by the manager !

Well played to Chalobah , pure class and only player who really lived with the opposition so disapointed we did not get at them and go down fighting instead of with a whimper !

cup gone now and only makes me more annoyed at the Charlton result , stop your stupid tinkering Zola play your best team in the league , yes we had players missing , we do seem to have alot of injuries don't we , are our medical department too cautious ?

time to get back on track

You like a rant don't you? Are you ever happy?
Here's some thoughts on the points you raise:

You are 'surprised by the lack of criticism of Zola after the last 2 games'. That's because most people are not like you!! We lost one game in the championship (arguably the most competitive league in Europe where every week there is a result which goes against the form book/table) and this came off the back of a run of 1 defeat in 7, and then we lost against Manchester City, the REIGNING PREMIER LEAGUE CHAMPIONS, both games we were missing key players through injury and yet you think Zola should be criticised? This s utterly ridiculous.
He 'picks 2 centre backs that have not played for weeks and against the premier league champions'. Ummmm well were Nos and Doyley not 2 of our best players yesterday?? Also, with Almunia not playing, Zola could not play, Bond Hoban Ekstrand and Neuton. Firstly, there is zero experience and an average age of 20 so we would have been utterly rinsed; therefore we need to bring in experienced players and Doyley and Nosworthy have both played in the premierleague and many 'big games' - so Zola made 100% the correct decision here, particularly considering Neuton was poor against Charlton and irrespective of whether Hoban needed a rest.
Last week you lament Zola for so many changes yet this week it's 'scandalous' that Geijo does not get a game??? Hmmm, a little hypocrisy there.
WE ARE 6TH IN THE LEAGUE MATE. BE HAPPY!!!!

Hampshire hornet wrote:

Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:

francowatford wrote:
LD was quality considering the time out, he looked like he had been playing week in week out. I'm sorry to say this but Useless sorry Eustace was very out of his dept, I think Hogg is quality and does the dirty work that people miss and every team needs him.FF is starting to get up my hooter!! He has plenty of skill but Zola needs to find a better way of channeling his skill on the pitch that cuts teams apart more. Very impressed with Bond. Zola needs to start to learn when to sub players like Deeney when he is so pooped from running around should have taken him off after 60 minutes. Neutron, very dissapointed especially as I really want him to do well. Maybe we should try him in midfield

Didn't realise that LutonDown had been out for so long ! ...and as for quality ??!!

Yep he's been on holiday, the WO and the pub have missed him, profits down 15%. I assure he will be on top form in 2 weeks

Roy Stockdill wrote:
>Watford head coach Gianfranco Zola believes there was not a “big difference” between his side and Manchester City this afternoon and claims the 3-0 scoreline was “unfair” on the Hornets. City named an almost full-strength team at the Etihad Stadium and Roberto Mancini’s side were relatively comfortable throughout.<

Isn't the whole point encompassed in the second sentence and the reference to "relatively comfortable"? There clearly is a considerable gulf between the top tier of English football, the Premiership, and what I still prefer to call the Second Division, i.e. the Championship, whatever the FA and Football League may choose to call it.

Three-nil in my book IS a big difference!

Still, as I've said before, the cockeyed, blind optimism of football fans for their favourite team does afford the rest of us neutrals much amusement.

Even if Watford do somehow manage to go up at the end of the season - and with the possibility of deducted points looming because of the financial irregularities caused by the previous owner this is highly debatable - you can put money on the bookies making them hot favourites to go straight back down. Watford will always be what I call a yo-yo club, a bit like Sheffield Wednesday, Middlesborough, Birmingham City, Wolves, QPR and Crystal Palace and a few others I could mention. I doubt they will ever again hit the giddy heights they did under GT's managership. British football now belongs to a tiny number of super-rich clubs and the rest are just making up the numbers, which is a great tragedy in my opinion. I much preferred football when the likes of Burnley, Nottingham Forest, Derby County and even Ipswich could be champions. Doesn't anyone else wish for those nostalgic days when the great god MONEY didn't rule everything?

DuffmanWFC wrote:
The easiest way to pay for the ground to be finished is to gain promotion! Fact!
If we go up we will increase our average of 13,500 per home game to 17,000 as more closet fans will turn up! And if the stadium was finished next season with the SW corner completed and the East Stand built we could get 20,000 attendances if we manage to stay in the Prem! If we went down at least we have a finished stadium that's been paid for through promotion and isn't a debt that's been taken on!

lutondown wrote:

Hampshire hornet wrote:
Dan as always agree with your post... Just need everyone to get behind the team..these are early days in the next chapter of our recent history.... Give the team time!

Look mate if you want to be a minion, you have to go through the proper channels. Speak to my secretary...Gianluca ;-) yes, he can be contacted on www.weepecker.com
Bless

JonBoy wrote:
Really enjoyed the game yesterday but have to say I don't agree that there wasn't much between the teams. Man City were better than us in all departments and I would expect them to be. I think we played like a mid table premiership side and for that I'm delighted.

How can anyone criticise Eustace? Don't they understand what match fitness is? Didn't you hear Joe Cole say you on't see his best for another 3 or 4 games?

It was a shame Forstieri's chance in the first and Deeney's in the second didn't fall to Vydra, I think he would have buried them both.

Thought Bond was very good and to those saying how quiet we were you should read his tweet: 'On another note, the fans were unbelievable today. Couldn't hear myself shout when I was their end. Proud to play for Watford today.'

I was proud to support them too

GianlucaVialli the better italian wrote:

lutondown wrote:

Hampshire hornet wrote:
Dan as always agree with your post... Just need everyone to get behind the team..these are early days in the next chapter of our recent history.... Give the team time!

Look mate if you want to be a minion, you have to go through the proper channels. Speak to my secretary...Gianluca ;-) yes, he can be contacted on www.weepecker.com
Bless

Aha LD I see your getting into a spot of bother with mickey Quinn, so the more minions the better for you my friend. You keep having a pop at 'fair weather' fans, despite your lack of attendance at recent games. Clearly more people want to go to the etihad than a poor championship ground, if we had it your way then only 500 fans would have gone, which benefits no one.

lutondown wrote:

GianlucaVialli the better italian wrote:

lutondown wrote:

Hampshire hornet wrote:
Dan as always agree with your post... Just need everyone to get behind the team..these are early days in the next chapter of our recent history.... Give the team time!

Look mate if you want to be a minion, you have to go through the proper channels. Speak to my secretary...Gianluca ;-) yes, he can be contacted on www.weepecker.com
Bless

Aha LD I see your getting into a spot of bother with mickey Quinn, so the more minions the better for you my friend. You keep having a pop at 'fair weather' fans, despite your lack of attendance at recent games. Clearly more people want to go to the etihad than a poor championship ground, if we had it your way then only 500 fans would have gone, which benefits no one.

Didn't say that pee wee. What I said the usual away support is noisy. The casual attendee tend to watch the game in mortified silence.
People can watch what they please when they please.
Bother with Quinn, no not at all. He's just a tad overweight and gets a bit grumpy is all.
Yep I've missed two on the row, my annual leave due to the seasonal nature of my work. Plus it's nice to visit the sunshine state to enjoy my hard earned riches.
Tell you what pee wee, why not join me for that reconciling pint before Huddersfield? We can banter right up to match time. Just me and you eh?
That is an invite and I promise that if your good, I'll buy ice cream for you.
Now I've seen there's a treatment for your uh hum lack of package down below, it's called penoplasty. Ouch

GianlucaVialli the better italian wrote:

lutondown wrote:

GianlucaVialli the better italian wrote:

lutondown wrote:

Hampshire hornet wrote:
Dan as always agree with your post... Just need everyone to get behind the team..these are early days in the next chapter of our recent history.... Give the team time!

Look mate if you want to be a minion, you have to go through the proper channels. Speak to my secretary...Gianluca ;-) yes, he can be contacted on www.weepecker.com
Bless

Aha LD I see your getting into a spot of bother with mickey Quinn, so the more minions the better for you my friend. You keep having a pop at 'fair weather' fans, despite your lack of attendance at recent games. Clearly more people want to go to the etihad than a poor championship ground, if we had it your way then only 500 fans would have gone, which benefits no one.

Didn't say that pee wee. What I said the usual away support is noisy. The casual attendee tend to watch the game in mortified silence.
People can watch what they please when they please.
Bother with Quinn, no not at all. He's just a tad overweight and gets a bit grumpy is all.
Yep I've missed two on the row, my annual leave due to the seasonal nature of my work. Plus it's nice to visit the sunshine state to enjoy my hard earned riches.
Tell you what pee wee, why not join me for that reconciling pint before Huddersfield? We can banter right up to match time. Just me and you eh?
That is an invite and I promise that if your good, I'll buy ice cream for you.
Now I've seen there's a treatment for your uh hum lack of package down below, it's called penoplasty. Ouch

I would accept your gracious offer but the minions follow you like flies to sh**.
It's a bit cold for ice cream!
How do you know what size my genitals are? Been spying on me in the Viccy road toilets?
And surely an intelligent man such as yourself doesn't believe the claims of chris bottom and co that they've met me, if I was going to reveal my true identity, I'd do it in front of the main man (sorry for the amount of compliments, it's poor by my standards)

@ChrisBottom16 wrote:
F*ck me!

Man City are the champions of England. They are have given Real Madrid, two very close games already this season.

They have some mega money signing's are monumental wages, players with World Cup experience! Playing a system they have played for years.

We have a sqaud of new players, playing a system they have rarely played, with a goalkeeper who has played 1 game for us this season.. against Bradford and with 3 players playing their 1st game in months.

Only a looney thought we would get a result yesterday!

Yesterday was about giving the fans a good day out, gettin the players some expeience and for Zola to work out who needs to go and what he needs in.

I confident in saying that every player gave 110% and give their best.

The reaction from some has been way over the top and verging on thick

lutondown wrote:

GianlucaVialli the better italian wrote:

lutondown wrote:

GianlucaVialli the better italian wrote:

lutondown wrote:

Hampshire hornet wrote:
Dan as always agree with your post... Just need everyone to get behind the team..these are early days in the next chapter of our recent history.... Give the team time!

Look mate if you want to be a minion, you have to go through the proper channels. Speak to my secretary...Gianluca ;-) yes, he can be contacted on www.weepecker.com
Bless

Aha LD I see your getting into a spot of bother with mickey Quinn, so the more minions the better for you my friend. You keep having a pop at 'fair weather' fans, despite your lack of attendance at recent games. Clearly more people want to go to the etihad than a poor championship ground, if we had it your way then only 500 fans would have gone, which benefits no one.

Didn't say that pee wee. What I said the usual away support is noisy. The casual attendee tend to watch the game in mortified silence.
People can watch what they please when they please.
Bother with Quinn, no not at all. He's just a tad overweight and gets a bit grumpy is all.
Yep I've missed two on the row, my annual leave due to the seasonal nature of my work. Plus it's nice to visit the sunshine state to enjoy my hard earned riches.
Tell you what pee wee, why not join me for that reconciling pint before Huddersfield? We can banter right up to match time. Just me and you eh?
That is an invite and I promise that if your good, I'll buy ice cream for you.
Now I've seen there's a treatment for your uh hum lack of package down below, it's called penoplasty. Ouch

I would accept your gracious offer but the minions follow you like flies to sh**.
It's a bit cold for ice cream!
How do you know what size my genitals are? Been spying on me in the Viccy road toilets?
And surely an intelligent man such as yourself doesn't believe the claims of chris bottom and co that they've met me, if I was going to reveal my true identity, I'd do it in front of the main man (sorry for the amount of compliments, it's poor by my standards)

Ah I see your cunning plan, you want to become a minion. Sorry sonny your far too skinny, you need to fatten up a little!
I promise no minions, just me and you, and I'll even throw in the once of a lifetime offer..a talk on what happen to minnows that feed in the mouth of sharks.
You'll come away all the wiser for that bit of life extending knowledge!
Anyway, enough of all that. See Man Utd are in for Doyley

GianlucaVialli the better italian wrote:
Why would I join an organisation I have abused. I walked past the whetherspoons in Manchester where the gang claimed they were going too and it sounded cr**.
No one can take Lloyd from us, he's Watford through and through.

lutondown wrote:

GianlucaVialli the better italian wrote:
Why would I join an organisation I have abused. I walked past the whetherspoons in Manchester where the gang claimed they were going too and it sounded cr**.
No one can take Lloyd from us, he's Watford through and through.

Because we are forgiving souls!
So again your twitter spying gets the better of you pee wee. Tut tut, one day you may slip up.
Yep Fergie likes the look of Doyley, reckons he'll look good in red.
But on that I obviously jest, and I agree on that point, he is Watford through and through, and his heart overwrites his shortcomings.
Another site for you to visit
Www.wheresmymanlumps

.co.uk

@ChrisBottom16 wrote:
F*ck me!

Man City are the champions of England. They are have given Real Madrid, two very close games already this season.

They have some mega money signing's are monumental wages, players with World Cup experience! Playing a system they have played for years.

We have a sqaud of new players, playing a system they have rarely played, with a goalkeeper who has played 1 game for us this season.. against Bradford and with 3 players playing their 1st game in months.

Only a looney thought we would get a result yesterday!

Yesterday was about giving the fans a good day out, gettin the players some expeience and for Zola to work out who needs to go and what he needs in.

I confident in saying that every player gave 110% and give their best.

The reaction from some has been way over the top and verging on thick

Hampshire hornet wrote:

Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:

francowatford wrote:
LD was quality considering the time out, he looked like he had been playing week in week out. I'm sorry to say this but Useless sorry Eustace was very out of his dept, I think Hogg is quality and does the dirty work that people miss and every team needs him.FF is starting to get up my hooter!! He has plenty of skill but Zola needs to find a better way of channeling his skill on the pitch that cuts teams apart more. Very impressed with Bond. Zola needs to start to learn when to sub players like Deeney when he is so pooped from running around should have taken him off after 60 minutes. Neutron, very dissapointed especially as I really want him to do well. Maybe we should try him in midfield

Didn't realise that LutonDown had been out for so long ! ...and as for quality ??!!

Yep he's been on holiday, the WO and the pub have missed him, profits down 15%. I assure he will be on top form in 2 weeks

jasonwatford wrote:
Been in bed with flu since coming back from city...my take was doyley did very well great game , im not a big fan but he did play well...Nosworthy again did really well but still looks uncomfortable playing out from back line but a decent bit part player if he is happy to do that. John Eutace was very very poor....i guess he got in ahead of Battochio as he is captain but is slow made wrong choices and gave away stupid free kick for first goal. JE will not fit in to this side with abdi....it's life and i know some morons on here will cry about it like they did about taylor moving to sheff wed. Now Fernando......i love him but ive got to say ive seen nothing in last few times he has played that has made me go wow !!! he needs to let himself go again as he is playing like he is restricted in his turns.He should have scored at city and although i think we would have still lost it would have been good...how we all wished that was vydra that was sent clear. Pudil is next....going forward is excellent but he tried to put his foot in the air when Barry headed in second goal..no challange at all from him and a number of players including Bond looked at him at pointed to their heads to say why didnt you challange ??? I'm sure thats why zola took him off at half time. So to be fair to us we took on man city with 4 players in vital positions that had been out injured for months plus a young lad in goal who done really well. I'm glad in one way as the league is more important and we must get something this weekend coming up.

Boosey wrote:
LD you're not wooden enough to be a plank! I'll let you know when my shifts allow for an away game. Any room for Ian as well? And Happy New Year mate .

Bush Hornet wrote:

jasonwatford wrote:
Been in bed with flu since coming back from city...my take was doyley did very well great game , im not a big fan but he did play well...Nosworthy again did really well but still looks uncomfortable playing out from back line but a decent bit part player if he is happy to do that. John Eutace was very very poor....i guess he got in ahead of Battochio as he is captain but is slow made wrong choices and gave away stupid free kick for first goal. JE will not fit in to this side with abdi....it's life and i know some morons on here will cry about it like they did about taylor moving to sheff wed. Now Fernando......i love him but ive got to say ive seen nothing in last few times he has played that has made me go wow !!! he needs to let himself go again as he is playing like he is restricted in his turns.He should have scored at city and although i think we would have still lost it would have been good...how we all wished that was vydra that was sent clear. Pudil is next....going forward is excellent but he tried to put his foot in the air when Barry headed in second goal..no challange at all from him and a number of players including Bond looked at him at pointed to their heads to say why didnt you challange ??? I'm sure thats why zola took him off at half time. So to be fair to us we took on man city with 4 players in vital positions that had been out injured for months plus a young lad in goal who done really well. I'm glad in one way as the league is more important and we must get something this weekend coming up.

Sorry to hear about the flu.
Balanced post on the whole but unforgiving about JE given he's been out for so long. Can't imagine many players coming into that game and doing well in the circumstances. Kamikaze of Zola to put him straight in but shows the faith he has in him. He may not be an automatic starter these days but I think you're wrong to say he won't fit in at all. Have a couple more days in bed, and remind yourself of John's goal against Doncaster last season.

Bush Hornet wrote:
Welcome back CardiffDown (new year, new name, new ambitions).

Just about know now what the best team is and I agree we pretty much saw it at Brighton.

apatters wrote:
We were totally outclassed, but that's OK. Eustace has come back into a team that's moved on, but thats OK. We sung "United", that was OK, in fact it provoked a great reaction from the City fans, who seemed like proper fans rather than the prawn sandwich brigade of United.

We're Watford, it was a grand day out, there are 4 mini leagues in the premiership and if we are lucky enough to be promoted we'll be in mini league 4 aspiring to beat teams in league 3 knowing we'll probably get beaten by those in mini league 1.

I for one am loving the adventure. GfZ is a gent and is probably phase 1 of the Pozzos plan. There will be more. Look back 1 year and compare.

Patters out

lutondown wrote:

Bush Hornet wrote:
Welcome back CardiffDown (new year, new name, new ambitions).

Just about know now what the best team is and I agree we pretty much saw it at Brighton.

Sorry, never liked Cardiff, but that's an Anglo welsh thing, can't ever put them in same cat as Taliban Town. .
Besides I have come to enjoy the hate mail I get on twitter from Pooton supporters! So the names sticking.
Just read a post by vital MCFC and praising how Watford played to win rather than damage limitation unlike 75% of visiting prem teams.
It was too big an ask to win there, the gulf is just too wide. Much more so than when we used to giant kill under GT, much different days, and one where money does favour the rich more so.

lockerbiehornet wrote:
I know transferrumours.co.u

k can have some crap on it but has anyone seen the rumour on there about Beckham to join WFC as a player with a view to coaching the kids and taking his badges, also quoting it's near to his pad etc etc..

I know it's a long shot but if he did join I may need to buy some adult nappies!!

lutondown wrote:

apatters wrote:
We were totally outclassed, but that's OK. Eustace has come back into a team that's moved on, but thats OK. We sung "United", that was OK, in fact it provoked a great reaction from the City fans, who seemed like proper fans rather than the prawn sandwich brigade of United.

We're Watford, it was a grand day out, there are 4 mini leagues in the premiership and if we are lucky enough to be promoted we'll be in mini league 4 aspiring to beat teams in league 3 knowing we'll probably get beaten by those in mini league 1.

I for one am loving the adventure. GfZ is a gent and is probably phase 1 of the Pozzos plan. There will be more. Look back 1 year and compare.

Patters out

I think you have got it in a nutshell!

Roy Stockdill wrote:
I think you will find that history reveals Burnley to have been a far bigger club than Watford ever have been, even if it's more in the past than the present. In the 1950s and 1960s Burnley were one of the most powerful clubs in the land. Remind me where Watford were then, would you?

Burnley are one of only three clubs to have won all four divisions of the Football League, the others being Wolves and Preston North End.

Burnley were founder members of the Football League. Perhaps you'd like to remind me also when Watford first managed to get in from the Southern League? Wasn't it in the season of 1920-21, the same year that Burnley were First Division champions?

Roy Stockdill wrote:
You see, that's the difference between us! You only see one team in the blind-as-a-bat way that most football followers do, completely immune to any kind of logical thought or argument.

When I did follow football keenly with my mates we didn't just support one team blindly, we went where we thought we would see the best game, even to Manchester occasionally when we could afford the train fare. Sometimes that was Burnley, sometimes Huddersfield Town (they also were a very big club in the 1950s), sometimes Leeds Utd, Bradford City or even now and then, for a laugh as I've said, Halifax Town, who were the joke side of the entire Football League. The Shay, Halifax's home ground, was where you went if you wanted to be alone! You could stand on what passed for terraces and the next fan might be 30 or 40 yards away but it didn't matter, we felt we owed it to them to turn up now and then.

That is why I abhor so much that is wrong with football today, especially the cretinous fans who wear blinkers and behave and talk like neanderthal tribesmen. Talking about me as Flintstone really makes me laugh. Anyone who seriously thinks Watford are a big club must be straight out of a cave! Watford are a selling club, always have been, with only the very, very occasional period of success as in the GT days. Where have all Watford's best players gone in recent years? Answer, to bigger and better clubs.

Roy Stockdill wrote:
Burnley, Bolton and Blackburn, by tradition and history, have always been far bigger clubs than Watford. So have Leeds Utd and Sheffield Wednesday. Have Watford ever been a big club except for a couple of flash-in-the-pan years in the 80s?

I'm afraid your comment above is mostly lost on me, BTW. Who is Chris Bottom? And what does the last sentence mean?