After all the despair surrounding Vicarage Road Watford are in the play-offs. The strangest of seasons has often felt like a depressing relegation yet, incredibly, the Hornets are still in with a chance of promotion to the Premiership.
Watford started the season on fire but their early results clouded indifferent performances and were largely orchestrated by the excellent Adam Johnson and Marlon King. Both of them were long gone after January and so was Watford's form.
Their record of one win in the last 14 games is dire and form fit for League One. The quality of football has also been hard to stomach. Watching players lump the ball aimlessly in the air is just not entertaining and the way it has got worse as the season has dragged on has been desperate.
From a nine-point lead at the top of the Championship to the brink of missing out on the top-six altogether has been a train wreck with the wheels coming off the rails. But the recovery is underway, and the team showed character to rescue a crucial point at Blackpool, after being reduced to ten men. After all the negativity around the club, it would have been easy for them to have finished seventh with nothing to show from their campaign.
Many will say the team don't deserve to go up and the forecast for next season looks Derby-esque if they do manage to upset the formbook this month.
But the money for promotion is invaluable to the club and another shot at the big boys remains faintly attractive. Surely losing to the big boys is preferable to dispiriting defeats to Championship no-hopers?
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THE battle for the Premiership title has gone to the wire and only goal difference separates Chelsea and Manchester United. It could not be tighter and the race deserves to have a photo finish. The Blues have shown remarkable resilience in recent weeks after being written off after their draw with Wigan. Avram Grant's side don't know when they're beaten and they have the momentum which could propel them to the double.
My money is staying in the pocket but I would still favour United to get the job done at Wigan on Sunday.
It is guaranteed to be a brilliant end to the Premier League season and totally contradicts Kevin Keegan's claim that the league is in danger of becoming one of the most boring but great leagues in the world.
The Newcastle manager was talking about his belief that the the gap between the rest and Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal and United is unbridgeable. I take the point about the inevitability of the top-four staying the same but this climax, both at the top and bottom, could not be closer.
Money has made it almost impossible for sides to break into the big four and that is a shame. But Sunday's last day will be hard to rival in terms of excitement. Anything but boring.
Posted by: Surrey Horn, Surbiton on 5:15pm Tue 6 May 08
A good and fair assessment of Watfords season by Simon Mail. Frankly after a year of watching this dreadful football I really don't care where we end up as long as we don't have to endure this style of football? No more please!!! Had enough!
A good and fair assessment of Watfords season by Simon Mail. Frankly after a year of watching this dreadful football I really don't care where we end up as long as we don't have to endure this style of football? No more please!!! Had enough!
I would be over the moon if somehow we do manage 3 good shows and make the big league... Whatever the results bring Aidy has to go.. We play poor quality soccer in any ones book.. Watford deserve better than what has been on offer for all to see.
I defy anybody who thinks our style is good, its rubbish at best.
Our only real hope is to put Danny boy up front as i suggested way back. Ok he is no front man but he will upset any defender. Sorry LD but you need a rest as well.....
I would be over the moon if somehow we do manage 3 good shows and make the big league... Whatever the results bring Aidy has to go.. We play poor quality soccer in any ones book.. Watford deserve better than what has been on offer for all to see.
I defy anybody who thinks our style is good, its rubbish at best.
Our only real hope is to put Danny boy up front as i suggested way back. Ok he is no front man but he will upset any defender. Sorry LD but you need a rest as well.....
Posted by: The enlightened one, Garston on 6:01pm Tue 6 May 08
Well said you two,this season has been awful limping into the playoffs after 6 months of abysmal football has been quite frankly embarressing,agree boofers has to go whatever.
Well said you two,this season has been awful limping into the playoffs after 6 months of abysmal football has been quite frankly embarressing,agree boofers has to go whatever.
Posted by: Hexham Hornet, Hexham on 8:38pm Tue 6 May 08
A well written and balanced article that backs up a lot of what most fans have been saying, without demanding heads. Watford know they have a problem but do not necessarily know how to solve them. There are too many people saying a number of people have to go, and if you put all of them together you will have no team left, no board and no management. Also everybody that is then paid off will mean there will be no funds to get replacements. There has to be a level headed approach that needs to take the financial implications into account and people need to be made aware of their responsibilities and others need to be prepared to accept and consider constructive criticism both from the fans and within the club, especially if it is made in the proper manner and reasonable.
A well written and balanced article that backs up a lot of what most fans have been saying, without demanding heads. Watford know they have a problem but do not necessarily know how to solve them. There are too many people saying a number of people have to go, and if you put all of them together you will have no team left, no board and no management. Also everybody that is then paid off will mean there will be no funds to get replacements. There has to be a level headed approach that needs to take the financial implications into account and people need to be made aware of their responsibilities and others need to be prepared to accept and consider constructive criticism both from the fans and within the club, especially if it is made in the proper manner and reasonable.
Posted by: perryman-in, watford on 8:43pm Tue 6 May 08
Get rid of Boothroyd? Dosnt anyone remember the awful early to mid 90s? Course not, you're all glory hunters. If he goes we'l just become another mediocre championship club. Or worse, look at Luton.
Get rid of Boothroyd? Dosnt anyone remember the awful early to mid 90s? Course not, you're all glory hunters. If he goes we'l just become another mediocre championship club. Or worse, look at Luton.
Posted by: Surrey Horn, Surbiton on 9:02pm Tue 6 May 08
Not sure that getting rid of AB IS the answer in the short term. He desperately needs a tactician as a number 2 and somebody who has been in the Premiership who knows how to play football on the ground!
Not sure that getting rid of AB IS the answer in the short term. He desperately needs a tactician as a number 2 and somebody who has been in the Premiership who knows how to play football on the ground!
Its very easy to get rid of a manager but you have to find the right man as replacement (a few defeats and his head will be called for) and well the players have hardly covered themselves in glory either although that might be down to the current style of football which is poor and been sussed out by many a teams.
We still have a chance but must play better and I would really dear for us IF we did get promotion.
Its very easy to get rid of a manager but you have to find the right man as replacement (a few defeats and his head will be called for) and well the players have hardly covered themselves in glory either although that might be down to the current style of football which is poor and been sussed out by many a teams.
We still have a chance but must play better and I would really dear for us IF we did get promotion.
Posted by: Richard, Come On You Golden Boys! on 8:00am Wed 7 May 08
Fair assessment of season, yes it's felt like a relegation battle scrapping for points, but I'd have taken the playoffs before the season started and that's where we are.
So, amazingly we still have a chance and we certainly need the income as Martin says, although next year will be also be tough in a highly competitive Championship.
Shame that some of the other less enlightened posters are still being negative at this point in the season.
So Let's all get behind Aidy & the team. Come on you Golden Boys!
Fair assessment of season, yes it's felt like a relegation battle scrapping for points, but I'd have taken the playoffs before the season started and that's where we are.
So, amazingly we still have a chance and we certainly need the income as Martin says, although next year will be also be tough in a highly competitive Championship.
Shame that some of the other less enlightened posters are still being negative at this point in the season.
So Let's all get behind Aidy & the team. Come on you Golden Boys!
I guess the contributors before represent the views of all of us, one way or the other.
We entered the season like a lion and limped into the playoffs playing awful soccer.
During the year we had a hero for a short time in Adam Johnson and the rest, even Tommy havent been very consistent.
Our strike force led by Darius went on strike towards the end of 2007, the midfield went AWOL and the defence were interesting with a goalie who isnt a bad shot stopper but is let down by dealing with crosses and occasional positional blunders.
The players with real talent have gone.
Our manager's signings have not on the whole been good, but i thought the last batch were good.
I read he needs a tactician as a number two, but I am told he only likes yes men and those with opinions need to go.
The play offs look to be shortlived and disastrous but three good games and we will have done it, but then it was a long time ago that we managed three good games.
Then there is the chairman and Ashton, I havent always approved of the lack of transparency, and did they release the cash when they should have done, are our medical staff poor or unlucky we dont seem to good at spotting and curing all the problems in a reasonable time.
Given all this I hope Graham Simpson can sort it out, overall it is difficult to argue that he hasnt done a bad job and to a degree play off positions in the two championship campaigns is a job well done by Aidy, but the current style of football is dire.
All the best Graham and here is hoping for a brilliant play off series for the team and fans.
I guess the contributors before represent the views of all of us, one way or the other.
We entered the season like a lion and limped into the playoffs playing awful soccer.
During the year we had a hero for a short time in Adam Johnson and the rest, even Tommy havent been very consistent.
Our strike force led by Darius went on strike towards the end of 2007, the midfield went AWOL and the defence were interesting with a goalie who isnt a bad shot stopper but is let down by dealing with crosses and occasional positional blunders.
The players with real talent have gone.
Our manager's signings have not on the whole been good, but i thought the last batch were good.
I read he needs a tactician as a number two, but I am told he only likes yes men and those with opinions need to go.
The play offs look to be shortlived and disastrous but three good games and we will have done it, but then it was a long time ago that we managed three good games.
Then there is the chairman and Ashton, I havent always approved of the lack of transparency, and did they release the cash when they should have done, are our medical staff poor or unlucky we dont seem to good at spotting and curing all the problems in a reasonable time.
Given all this I hope Graham Simpson can sort it out, overall it is difficult to argue that he hasnt done a bad job and to a degree play off positions in the two championship campaigns is a job well done by Aidy, but the current style of football is dire.
All the best Graham and here is hoping for a brilliant play off series for the team and fans.
Posted by: Steve W, Tewkesbury on 9:01am Wed 7 May 08
Some very interesting posts and after all it's what football is about good debate and lots of different opinion.
My view is very similar regarding the football. It has been terrible and to nearly loose out on even the playoffs was not good given the 9 point lead we had.
We finished 9 points behind Stoke and I can't help but wonder if we had managed to turn half of those 8 defeats into wins we would have made auto matic and that hurts.
But it is a tough tough league and in the end we did make the play offs and we finished ahead of the other relegated teams.
I think we have all suffered from high level of expectations (i Know Charlton and Shef U fans have said the same). Some of the booing and goings on by fans this season has been appaling and I do wonder if this has contributed to soem of our downfall this season.
The palyers were clearly very nervous at home and I think despite wanting to play football when things have gone wrong and the booing has started they have reverted to even more hoofing. I am not saying we were ever a great footballing side but there have been times when we havetried to play it around.
I thought at Blackpool after hendo went off we did try and play it around.
I don't think sacking boothroyd is the answer. We need a degree of stability. It has been proved time again that stability is the answer. Look at Arsenal and Man U now.
I would like to see Aidy given another season whatever happens in the next few games but I do think he needs a good number 2.
Now my final word on the paly offs. I think drawing Hull is not a bad thing. The paly offs are about holding your nerve and being able to play in the big games.
We have been there before and that might just hold us in good stead. Hull did prove on Sun when the chips were down they did not step up.
Anyway I think we all need to really get behind the team for these two games. We all need to hold our nerve even if things are not going our way and you just never know.
Some very interesting posts and after all it's what football is about good debate and lots of different opinion.
My view is very similar regarding the football. It has been terrible and to nearly loose out on even the playoffs was not good given the 9 point lead we had.
We finished 9 points behind Stoke and I can't help but wonder if we had managed to turn half of those 8 defeats into wins we would have made auto matic and that hurts.
But it is a tough tough league and in the end we did make the play offs and we finished ahead of the other relegated teams.
I think we have all suffered from high level of expectations (i Know Charlton and Shef U fans have said the same). Some of the booing and goings on by fans this season has been appaling and I do wonder if this has contributed to soem of our downfall this season.
The palyers were clearly very nervous at home and I think despite wanting to play football when things have gone wrong and the booing has started they have reverted to even more hoofing. I am not saying we were ever a great footballing side but there have been times when we havetried to play it around.
I thought at Blackpool after hendo went off we did try and play it around.
I don't think sacking boothroyd is the answer. We need a degree of stability. It has been proved time again that stability is the answer. Look at Arsenal and Man U now.
I would like to see Aidy given another season whatever happens in the next few games but I do think he needs a good number 2.
Now my final word on the paly offs. I think drawing Hull is not a bad thing. The paly offs are about holding your nerve and being able to play in the big games.
We have been there before and that might just hold us in good stead. Hull did prove on Sun when the chips were down they did not step up.
Anyway I think we all need to really get behind the team for these two games. We all need to hold our nerve even if things are not going our way and you just never know.
Lets be honest...despite what some think and expect we will never become anything more than a 1 or 2 season Premiership club and that would have to happen with a lot of spending on players and their wages which as proven this season and under Vialli is something Watford never do well.
I would like to think we can become a consistent Championship and not the next Leciester/Southampto
n but the money situation does worry me.
Lets be honest...despite what some think and expect we will never become anything more than a 1 or 2 season Premiership club and that would have to happen with a lot of spending on players and their wages which as proven this season and under Vialli is something Watford never do well.
I would like to think we can become a consistent Championship and not the next Leciester/Southampto
n but the money situation does worry me.
Posted by: andywatford, watford on 11:03am Wed 7 May 08
i have zero respect for mr boothroyd ever scince he turned to dave basset for advise. no wonder all we do is hoof it and our form is relegation standard. yes he does only want yes men to. i hear(from the horses mouth to) that demerit as captain and as such tean spoksman told adiy a few home truths and concerns about style of play voiced by the squad and look what happens ! out of the team, lost the armband, aidy wont even speak to him any more and hes been told to find another club... good one hoofers leauge one here we come.....
i have zero respect for mr boothroyd ever scince he turned to dave basset for advise. no wonder all we do is hoof it and our form is relegation standard. yes he does only want yes men to. i hear(from the horses mouth to) that demerit as captain and as such tean spoksman told adiy a few home truths and concerns about style of play voiced by the squad and look what happens ! out of the team, lost the armband, aidy wont even speak to him any more and hes been told to find another club... good one hoofers leauge one here we come.....
Posted by: andywatford, watford on 11:24am Wed 7 May 08
any manager who seeks advise from dave bassett has to be clueless..
as for only having yes men under him. demerit as captain spoke up in the dressing room on behalf of the squad and was stripped of the arm band dropped and has now been told to find another club and hoofers wont talk to him (from the horses mouth to)
nice one aidy, no wonder hes lost the dressing room. so lets give him another season eh.. league one here we come !!!!
any manager who seeks advise from dave bassett has to be clueless..
as for only having yes men under him. demerit as captain spoke up in the dressing room on behalf of the squad and was stripped of the arm band dropped and has now been told to find another club and hoofers wont talk to him (from the horses mouth to)
nice one aidy, no wonder hes lost the dressing room. so lets give him another season eh.. league one here we come !!!!
Frankly anyone who thinks WFC is a Premiership club should be shot - we haven't sold out once this season, and will probably fail to sell out a pathetic sized stadium now that we are in the Playoffs ( see we have sold 10k tickets so far for the Hull game - WOW !) Getting WFC in the Premiership & playoffs is as good as any manager has or will achieve ever in our history - end of. A par performance for WFC is around 16th in the Championship. So should we get shot of Aidy - draw your own conclusions !!
Frankly anyone who thinks WFC is a Premiership club should be shot - we haven't sold out once this season, and will probably fail to sell out a pathetic sized stadium now that we are in the Playoffs ( see we have sold 10k tickets so far for the Hull game - WOW !) Getting WFC in the Premiership & playoffs is as good as any manager has or will achieve ever in our history - end of. A par performance for WFC is around 16th in the Championship. So should we get shot of Aidy - draw your own conclusions !!
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