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5:05pm Saturday 13th March 2010 in
Watford’s plight at the wrong end of the table has deepened after resurgent Peterborough United picked up their first away win of the season with a 1-0 victory at Vicarage Road this afternoon.
The Championship’s bottom club completed the double over the Hornets thanks to Liam Dickinson’s 51st-minute lob, capitalising on error of judgement from Scott Loach.
The Hornets tried to get back on terms but, worryingly, they failed to score for the third consecutive game for the first time this season in slumping to a fourth straight defeat.
Despite seeing his side lose their previous three games, Hornets boss Malky Mackay chose to make just the one change, with Tom Cleverley returning from suspension to replace Jon Harley.
Loach has been near faultless for the Hornets in recent months despite the poor string of results and he produced a great double stop to stop Peterborough from taking the lead on 12 minutes.
First poor communication in the Watford defence allowed Craig Mackail-Smith in and the former St Albans City striker tried to lob the ball over Loach but the keeper saved with his chest. The ball then fell to Dickinson and the England Under-21 international parried away the striker's powerful shot from a tight angle.
Watford had to wait almost half hour for their first real chance. The ball fell to the returning Cleverley 18 yards out but his volley was comfortably over.
The Hornets had another near escape shortly before the break but this time they had the post to thank.
Aaron Mclean was thrown the ball 20 yards out and he turned sharply and struck a first-time shot against the post, with Loach scrambling across the goal.
The visitors, who made a change at the break with the giant Exodus Geohahgon coming on for Sergio Torres, had the first chance of the second period in the 49th minute when Mclean fired narrowly wide of Loach’s right-hand post.
But Posh got the goal they had been threatening two minutes later – and it was a disaster for the Hornets and Loach, in particular.
The England Under-21 keeper bizarrely came right to the edge of his area to challenge for a ball, lost out in a 50-50 challenge and then could only watch Dickinson’s superb 25-yard lob sail over him as he back-tracked towards his own line.
Watford, spurred on by the Rookery, tried to respond, with Adrian Mariappa forcing Joe Lewis into a blocking save with the home side’s first on-target attempt and then Danny Graham missed the target from eight yards following a cross from Cleverley.
That was to be Graham’s last involvement in the game as he was replaced by Will Hoskins on 61 minutes and then Liam Henderson came on for Don Cowie 11 minutes later.
But another opportunity was not forthcoming until the 75th minute when Henri Lansbury was fouled on the edge of the Peterborough box, but Cleverley struck the resultant free-kick narrowly over.
The game was now being played almost exclusively in the Posh area and Mariappa was the next to try his luck with a right-footed shot from inside the area that Mark Little blocked.
But Watford survived another let off with six minutes when Loach tipped a header from Reuben Reid, who had only just come on to the pitch as a replacement for Mclean, onto the bar following a long throw from Geohaghon.
Still the Hornets kept pushing for the equaliser though, with Hoskins chancing his arm with an ambitious 35-yard effort that only narrowly cleared the bar, but that was as close as they came.
Watford: Loach; Mariappa (McGinn 85), DeMerit, Taylor, Doyley; Cowie (Henderson 72), Eustace, Lansbury, Cleverley; Graham (Hoskins 61), Helguson. Not used: Jenkins, Harley, R Lee and Hodson.
Peterborough United: Lewis, Little, Morgan, Zakuani, Griffiths (Simpson 75); C Lee; Torres (Geohaghon 46), Rowe; Mackail-Smith, Dickinson, Mclean (Reid 83). Not used: McKeown, Day, Crook and Green.
Bookings: Lansbury after 39 mins; Helguson after 90 mins.
Attendance: 16,591.
Referee: Anthony Taylor.
Comments(134)
dogwfc
says...
5:21pm Sat 13 Mar 10
bishopofwatford
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5:34pm Sat 13 Mar 10
Elton Bog
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5:34pm Sat 13 Mar 10
a1derek
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5:35pm Sat 13 Mar 10
Forces Hornet
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5:35pm Sat 13 Mar 10
Paul_Caruso
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5:42pm Sat 13 Mar 10
Watford_Writer
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5:51pm Sat 13 Mar 10
Elton Bog
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5:56pm Sat 13 Mar 10
Feff
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6:00pm Sat 13 Mar 10
jasonwatford
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6:07pm Sat 13 Mar 10
Hornofplenty
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6:11pm Sat 13 Mar 10
djwatford
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6:23pm Sat 13 Mar 10
Tricky Rick
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6:41pm Sat 13 Mar 10
Spencer Hutchinson
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6:43pm Sat 13 Mar 10
pfwhornets
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6:50pm Sat 13 Mar 10
WatfordRuss
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6:56pm Sat 13 Mar 10
Mediahornet
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7:00pm Sat 13 Mar 10
herts hornet
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7:06pm Sat 13 Mar 10
hemels golden
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7:07pm Sat 13 Mar 10
herts hornet
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7:14pm Sat 13 Mar 10
MJ1
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7:36pm Sat 13 Mar 10
garston edl
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7:38pm Sat 13 Mar 10
rousman 2
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7:48pm Sat 13 Mar 10
hornet4eva
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7:52pm Sat 13 Mar 10
Johnny Ryden
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8:26pm Sat 13 Mar 10
Wags it all about?
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8:37pm Sat 13 Mar 10
garston edl
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8:39pm Sat 13 Mar 10
apatters
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8:46pm Sat 13 Mar 10
WFC4L
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8:48pm Sat 13 Mar 10
ReadersWives
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9:08pm Sat 13 Mar 10
Hornofplenty
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9:10pm Sat 13 Mar 10
ReadersWives wrote:Did he get them relegated from the championship? Pointless post....
In his first full season, Ferguson guided United to a League runners-up position as new signings Viv Anderson, Steve Bruce and Brian McClair made their mark. This was followed by 11th position in 1988/89 and, after a further threat of relegation, 13th position in 1989-90. The fans were not convinced by Alex Ferguson and on his third anniversary as manager of Manchester United a banner was unfurled in the scoreboard end saying: "Three years of excuses; Ta-ra Fergie". Ferguson remembers the period as 'Black December': "It was, without question, the lowest, most desperate point ever in all my years in management." (Alex Ferguson, Just Champion)
garston edl
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9:12pm Sat 13 Mar 10
Hornet Cornet
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9:15pm Sat 13 Mar 10
garston edl
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9:16pm Sat 13 Mar 10
ReadersWives
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9:19pm Sat 13 Mar 10
garston edl wrote:Strange comment from someone who wants to turn the tide as well.
Readerswives - for every Fergie, who managed to turn it round, there's hundreds who didn't.
Clown.
rookerynook
says...
9:20pm Sat 13 Mar 10
ReadersWives
says...
9:22pm Sat 13 Mar 10
Hornofplenty wrote:Wow ...a real timelord.
ReadersWives wrote:Did he get them relegated from the championship? Pointless post....
In his first full season, Ferguson guided United to a League runners-up position as new signings Viv Anderson, Steve Bruce and Brian McClair made their mark. This was followed by 11th position in 1988/89 and, after a further threat of relegation, 13th position in 1989-90. The fans were not convinced by Alex Ferguson and on his third anniversary as manager of Manchester United a banner was unfurled in the scoreboard end saying: "Three years of excuses; Ta-ra Fergie". Ferguson remembers the period as 'Black December': "It was, without question, the lowest, most desperate point ever in all my years in management." (Alex Ferguson, Just Champion)
Forces Hornet
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9:26pm Sat 13 Mar 10
Surrey Hornet
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9:35pm Sat 13 Mar 10
Forces Hornet
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9:43pm Sat 13 Mar 10
SimonW, Godalming
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9:47pm Sat 13 Mar 10
hemels golden
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9:52pm Sat 13 Mar 10
SimonW, Godalming
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9:56pm Sat 13 Mar 10
hornet4eva
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10:10pm Sat 13 Mar 10
Chris the Vic
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10:34pm Sat 13 Mar 10
Feff
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10:48pm Sat 13 Mar 10
derry pigweed
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10:52pm Sat 13 Mar 10
Tricky Rick wrote:Your comments on family day make you a very sad person !
I have said all along that the appoinment of MM as manager was a monumental mistake and now this is becoming increasingly clear. His dealings in the January transfer window - Taylor aside - have proven to be very costly. We needed to sign impact players instead of yet more inexperienced lads who warm the bench each week. As it is we are now left with a team with very little pace which has gone very stale and is now bereft of any confidence. We must look to the emergency window for more striking options because this is where the major problems lie. H is not the answer, and Graham is so obviously out if his depth. Tough decisions need to be made and fast but with GT at the helm this is unlikely. I unashamedly sang for Mackay to be sacked today and not one person objected. Anyone with a brain can see he has run out of ideas and has lost the dressing room. Graham Taylor, you have done so much for this club, but you were part of the panel that appointed Mackay. If you have not got the guts to sack the manager, then please step down as chairman, otherwise you will be just as responsible for our impending relegation as Mackay. I urge all fans who care about this club to vent their anger at the manager on Tuesday. WFC supporters have always been too loyal and no one man is bigger than the club. Mackay is not management material and unless you want to see a return to the lower divisions he MUST BE REMOVED! There is still time for a new management team to instill belief and discipline and turn this mess around. Glen Roeder was shown the door after an equally dreadful run and he could claim to have been blighted by injuries. It is time for Mackay to go. MACKAY OUT MACKAY OUT MACKAY OUT MACKAY OUT!!!! BTW - family day....when is the club going to grow some balls. I do not want to see push chairs and 4 year old girls at a football match. It is not an appropriate enviroment for young children....neither is it an appropriate environment for middle class softies and bleeding hear liberals who object to bad language....if you don't like it **** off!
PurpleRalph
says...
11:26pm Sat 13 Mar 10
ReadersWives
says...
11:27pm Sat 13 Mar 10
Surrey Hornet
says...
11:31pm Sat 13 Mar 10
Surrey Hornet
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11:36pm Sat 13 Mar 10
PurpleRalph wrote:Your right they can't afford him, heck they couldn't even afford me.
Alan Curbishley and Mervyn Day were in the directors box today. New Management team? - would be nice but unlikely. The wages required would be way off the Watford scale.
However he's got his West Ham compensation and is looking for a new club so we live in hope.
Richard - Come On You Golden Boys!
says...
11:39pm Sat 13 Mar 10
hornet4eva
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11:44pm Sat 13 Mar 10
cliff46
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11:45pm Sat 13 Mar 10
There was only one Scully
says...
12:19am Sun 14 Mar 10
Tommy Mooney is a legend
says...
2:00am Sun 14 Mar 10
There was only one Scully wrote:Absolutely nothing to do with being a pessimist, it's about facing up to the reality of what lies in front of us - relegation. We can't win away for love nor money and now we can't win at home, or even score (or shoot). People boo because they know that with a management team who have half a clue of what they are doing would be doing 10 times better. This lot are miles out of their depth and if you can't see that and want to blindly clap your way through this s**t then everybody should be questioning your allegiance to the club as we are going in one direction only unless massive changes are made. People would lay off it somewhat if MM tried changing the team slightly, but either his arrogance or his ignorance prevents him from doing even that. Do you really think we'll bounce straight back up with this team minus the loan players? Oh, hang on we're not down yet, are we???? Tell me, where are the next 3 points coming from with this starting 11?
I've never heard such a bunch of tempermental wasters as the pessimists that scribe b**lo*ks on this website. Any novice coach has to learn and as in all areas of a new jobs you learn by making mistakes, wrong decisions etc. As I see it we dont have much choice we, are not a QPR who can chop and change bring in someone who can hopefully get us out of a mess. Get a grip you armchair and glory moaners this club does not deserve the boos that echoed around the ground. W**kers!
leavesdenorn
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7:32am Sun 14 Mar 10
watters84
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9:21am Sun 14 Mar 10
midland hornet
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9:34am Sun 14 Mar 10
garston edl
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9:37am Sun 14 Mar 10
Buckstops
says...
9:48am Sun 14 Mar 10
grahamwfc
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9:50am Sun 14 Mar 10
watters84
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10:23am Sun 14 Mar 10
hemels golden
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10:35am Sun 14 Mar 10
SimonW, Godalming
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10:49am Sun 14 Mar 10
Tommy Mooney is a legend wrote:Tommy Mooney that is a very good reply, word for word I would have to say I agree with every single one you have said, however your final question is somewhat impossible to answer, you should have asked a different one - like where is our next goal coming from??
There was only one Scully wrote: I've never heard such a bunch of tempermental wasters as the pessimists that scribe b**lo*ks on this website. Any novice coach has to learn and as in all areas of a new jobs you learn by making mistakes, wrong decisions etc. As I see it we dont have much choice we, are not a QPR who can chop and change bring in someone who can hopefully get us out of a mess. Get a grip you armchair and glory moaners this club does not deserve the boos that echoed around the ground. W**kers!Absolutely nothing to do with being a pessimist, it's about facing up to the reality of what lies in front of us - relegation. We can't win away for love nor money and now we can't win at home, or even score (or shoot). People boo because they know that with a management team who have half a clue of what they are doing would be doing 10 times better. This lot are miles out of their depth and if you can't see that and want to blindly clap your way through this s**t then everybody should be questioning your allegiance to the club as we are going in one direction only unless massive changes are made. People would lay off it somewhat if MM tried changing the team slightly, but either his arrogance or his ignorance prevents him from doing even that. Do you really think we'll bounce straight back up with this team minus the loan players? Oh, hang on we're not down yet, are we???? Tell me, where are the next 3 points coming from with this starting 11?
enlightened one
says...
11:15am Sun 14 Mar 10
rousman 2
says...
11:59am Sun 14 Mar 10
SimonW, Godalming wrote:Still not 100% fit, has not played a first team game since November, he maybe a good player but we neeed people who can play now you buy for the present in the January not for next season.
sorry, forgot one thing - WHERE THE HELL WAS BUCKLEY!!!!
Hornet Cornet
says...
11:59am Sun 14 Mar 10
enlightened one
says...
2:32pm Sun 14 Mar 10
watfordal
says...
2:39pm Sun 14 Mar 10
wyldething1990
says...
4:50pm Sun 14 Mar 10
Prof Plum
says...
5:06pm Sun 14 Mar 10
Tricky Rick wrote:The atmosphere at Chateau Grim is more undermined by the fact that a high proportion of the crowd is made up of the kind of saddos with nothing better to do on a saturday evening than post anonymous bile on this website. We will not go down and Mackay will prove a very good manager - given time.
I have said all along that the appoinment of MM as manager was a monumental mistake and now this is becoming increasingly clear.
His dealings in the January transfer window - Taylor aside - have proven to be very costly. We needed to sign impact players instead of yet more inexperienced lads who warm the bench each week. As it is we are now left with a team with very little pace which has gone very stale and is now bereft of any confidence.
We must look to the emergency window for more striking options because this is where the major problems lie. H is not the answer, and Graham is so obviously out if his depth.
Tough decisions need to be made and fast but with GT at the helm this is unlikely. I unashamedly sang for Mackay to be sacked today and not one person objected. Anyone with a brain can see he has run out of ideas and has lost the dressing room.
Graham Taylor, you have done so much for this club, but you were part of the panel that appointed Mackay. If you have not got the guts to sack the manager, then please step down as chairman, otherwise you will be just as responsible for our impending relegation as Mackay.
I urge all fans who care about this club to vent their anger at the manager on Tuesday. WFC supporters have always been too loyal and no one man is bigger than the club. Mackay is not management material and unless you want to see a return to the lower divisions he MUST BE REMOVED! There is still time for a new management team to instill belief and discipline and turn this mess around.
Glen Roeder was shown the door after an equally dreadful run and he could claim to have been blighted by injuries. It is time for Mackay to go.
MACKAY OUT MACKAY OUT MACKAY OUT MACKAY OUT!!!!
BTW - family day....when is the club going to grow some balls. I do not want to see push chairs and 4 year old girls at a football match. It is not an appropriate enviroment for young children....neither is it an appropriate environment for middle class softies and bleeding hear liberals who object to bad language....if you don't like it **** off!
4boys
says...
5:44pm Sun 14 Mar 10
ab11uk
says...
7:04pm Sun 14 Mar 10
garston edl
says...
7:30pm Sun 14 Mar 10
luther blissett
says...
7:43pm Sun 14 Mar 10
Only 2 Ross Jenkins
says...
9:07pm Sun 14 Mar 10
luther blissett wrote:I agree with you. Its so bloody frustrating watching our team at the moment. I do not think, however, that the players do not care, as some people have suggested.
I am as upset at recent performances as the rest of you but we need to face facts, we can't afford to get rid of MM, so I am going to get behind him unlike most of you. This doesn't make me a happy clapper, just a realist who wants the best for my club. Obviously team changes need to be made and all I can do is hope they happen on Tuesday. If you see Ipswich played a 16 year old yesterday and guess what, he scored the winner!!! Maybe time for Massey? Players that young play with no fear (and he has to be better than Henderson).
Hornet Cornet
says...
9:38pm Sun 14 Mar 10
Kenfurphy
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9:45pm Sun 14 Mar 10
ReadersWives
says...
11:50pm Sun 14 Mar 10
stuperman
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7:57am Mon 15 Mar 10
ab11uk
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8:22am Mon 15 Mar 10
ab11uk
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8:28am Mon 15 Mar 10
Hornet Cornet
says...
9:13am Mon 15 Mar 10
worthing_hornet
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9:21am Mon 15 Mar 10
ab11uk
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9:32am Mon 15 Mar 10
Only 2 Ross Jenkins
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10:04am Mon 15 Mar 10
Hornet Cornet wrote:As many as possible. And not just when things are going well.
12th man? how man 12th men do the watford players need exactly?
ab11uk
says...
10:37am Mon 15 Mar 10
oldgent
says...
12:50pm Mon 15 Mar 10
Only 2 Ross Jenkins
says...
12:53pm Mon 15 Mar 10
ab11uk wrote:Who said anything about constantly clapping?
Yeah thats it the saviour for all our troubles. if we constantly clap our team they are bound to win. are you malky in disguise?
ab11uk
says...
1:08pm Mon 15 Mar 10
JonBoy
says...
1:16pm Mon 15 Mar 10
worthing_hornet
says...
1:22pm Mon 15 Mar 10
herts hornet
says...
1:27pm Mon 15 Mar 10
onlyonerodthomas
says...
1:30pm Mon 15 Mar 10
BoldenGoys
says...
1:44pm Mon 15 Mar 10
the sniper
says...
1:50pm Mon 15 Mar 10
stuperman
says...
2:01pm Mon 15 Mar 10
ab11uk
says...
2:22pm Mon 15 Mar 10
imuz
says...
2:29pm Mon 15 Mar 10
imuz
says...
2:30pm Mon 15 Mar 10
Tesco Dave
says...
2:36pm Mon 15 Mar 10
enlightened one
says...
2:37pm Mon 15 Mar 10
ab11uk wrote:Worst performance in about 10 years,you have got to be kidding.The level of comments on here is now plumbing depths to which even I couldn't imagine.Un-bloody-be
You dont have to be a footballing genius to see that saturday was the worst performance in about 10 years. and you didnt have to be a footballing genius to see we needed a centre back. However malky dont seem to recognise this? Seems like even the malky lovers are turning on him.
ab11uk
says...
2:48pm Mon 15 Mar 10
enlightened one
says...
3:11pm Mon 15 Mar 10
ab11uk
says...
3:24pm Mon 15 Mar 10
Prof Plum
says...
3:29pm Mon 15 Mar 10
ab11uk wrote:Get a life, mate
So your saying we should have cheered them off?? or done nothing and in essence not participated in the atmosphere at all and stood there like a zombie but making less noise?
you had a lot of people to feel sorry for maybe you should have set up a charity? aid the booers?
ab11uk
says...
3:35pm Mon 15 Mar 10
Prof Plum
says...
3:43pm Mon 15 Mar 10
ab11uk wrote:That's quite possibly the saddest thing I've ever read on this increasingly ridiculous message board. You have my deepest sympathies and I hope you manage to turn things around for yourself soon.
PLUM,
i have got a life its WATFORD FC.
and if you dont think that is a life then get the hell out of my club.
what a disgrace
Only 2 Ross Jenkins
says...
3:44pm Mon 15 Mar 10
ab11uk wrote:I doubt he is suggesting we cheer them off. That would be stupid and I am sure he ain't stupid.
So your saying we should have cheered them off?? or done nothing and in essence not participated in the atmosphere at all and stood there like a zombie but making less noise? you had a lot of people to feel sorry for maybe you should have set up a charity? aid the booers?
ab11uk
says...
3:46pm Mon 15 Mar 10
imuz
says...
4:25pm Mon 15 Mar 10
michael furlong
says...
5:16pm Mon 15 Mar 10
SuperNova
says...
5:24pm Mon 15 Mar 10
Tricky Rick
says...
7:34pm Mon 15 Mar 10
SuperNova wrote:Prat. A football match is not an appropriate environment for a young child. I bet you're one of these annoying tossers who bring small babies into pubs and resturaunts. A typical product of middle England who feels a god given right to take his offspring anywhere.
This thread says a lot more about the quality of our 'support' than the quality of the football being played.
I took my child to the game and ended up covering his ears.
Never ever again.
garston edl
says...
8:01pm Mon 15 Mar 10
ReadersWives
says...
8:02pm Mon 15 Mar 10
Tricky Rick wrote:Bet your a hard man Rick. Even your posts are ripped.
SuperNova wrote:Prat. A football match is not an appropriate environment for a young child. I bet you're one of these annoying tossers who bring small babies into pubs and resturaunts. A typical product of middle England who feels a god given right to take his offspring anywhere.
This thread says a lot more about the quality of our 'support' than the quality of the football being played.
I took my child to the game and ended up covering his ears.
Never ever again.
luther blissett
says...
9:19pm Mon 15 Mar 10
Tricky Rick wrote:Dick, can I ask at what age you started supporting Watford and when did you go to your first game?
SuperNova wrote:Prat. A football match is not an appropriate environment for a young child. I bet you're one of these annoying tossers who bring small babies into pubs and resturaunts. A typical product of middle England who feels a god given right to take his offspring anywhere.
This thread says a lot more about the quality of our 'support' than the quality of the football being played.
I took my child to the game and ended up covering his ears.
Never ever again.
Only 2 Ross Jenkins
says...
9:38pm Mon 15 Mar 10
ab11uk wrote:We've got to be mentally tough and get behind the team, not slag everone off the when things get tough. Therefore I think it's fair to question people's ability to "support" the team. I'm not sure some people are quite getting it. The players respond to stimulus in the same way we all do. GT himself said it last week, and I'm fairly sure he knows a thing or two about how to motivate people.
Plum if you dont support the club why are you bothering to come on this forum? makes no sense. and if we dont clap and if we dont boo. what do we do??????
Hornet Cornet
says...
10:22pm Mon 15 Mar 10
Chris the Vic
says...
10:39pm Mon 15 Mar 10
Goldenboy1960
says...
12:34am Tue 16 Mar 10
ab11uk
says...
8:42am Tue 16 Mar 10
oldgent
says...
8:42am Tue 16 Mar 10
imuz
says...
9:43am Tue 16 Mar 10
Elton Bog
says...
12:48pm Tue 16 Mar 10
Only 2 Ross Jenkins
says...
1:24pm Tue 16 Mar 10
Hornet Cornet wrote:If it makes me a muppet to believe that GT knows what he's talking about, then you must be having a little fun at my expense. If so, that's a good one.
Is that the same way that GT has obviously motivated MM? Muppet.
ab11uk
says...
3:13pm Tue 16 Mar 10
Dr.Oftaw
says...
3:16pm Tue 16 Mar 10
Prof Plum
says...
3:21pm Tue 16 Mar 10
imuz
says...
3:40pm Tue 16 Mar 10
mitch kings langley
says...
4:08pm Tue 16 Mar 10
Chris the Vic
says...
5:24pm Tue 16 Mar 10
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Hornet Cornet says...
5:21pm Sat 13 Mar 10
Sack Malky and get GT in. Sick of it all I am