Hornets blunt Blades to end barren run (From Watford Observer)

WOW!!! This will hopefully silence P.rick and the doom-mongers! Via the signing of a very good centre back we have just thrashed a team in the play offs. Brilliant performance and well done MM. Please silence your critics further on Saturday.

Scoring three was great. Not letting any in was equally great. Congratulations to everyone.

Hope you followed my advice and made loads of money @13/8 We played superbly and could have scored 7. They didn't know how to cope with us.

An excellent result and it sounded like a good performance, just annoyed I couldn't make it to the match but the 3 points will speed my recovery back to the Vic!

Wll be interesting to see how many posts this article attracts, compared to a defeat when the doom-mongers and abusers are out in force....

bomber18 wrote:
Hope you followed my advice and made loads of money @13/8 We played superbly and could have scored 7. They didn't know how to cope with us.

I should of went for it,something in the back of my mind was telling me to wait after this game and see how the boys got on with taylor in the side. 3-0 against sheff utd what a great result.Lets hope it's the start of a wining streak.Come on you golden boys

Great win. Well done.

Hog out

Great performance,well done Malky.Sheffield apart from the first 10 mins were woeful.COYHs !!!!!!

Just got back and i have to say a great performance and a fine win. I think the arrival of Taylor really settled the team down (esp Demerrit) and gave us the confidence to keep going forward.

My only concern is that the impetus for the performance came from the loanees. Are the two youngsters signed in the window going to prove worthy replacements? Only time will tell.

For those who seem to think we are doomed :- In the last 7 home games we have scored 5 goals for each one conceded. Lost I Drawn 1 and won 5. Even with the crap away form, we will be nearer the top than the bottom in May if we continue to play well at home.

After a slowish start (they were probably getting used to the pitch again for the first time in a month!) we really performed well and took advantage of some woeful Sheffield United defending (mind you with Jordan Stewart in a back 4 your going to have problems)

All seems well at home (*Derby apart) and it s ahsmae once again we've had to call one off against Palace a week on Saturday due to their FaA cup run.

Hopefully can get some points on the road but Barnsley had an equalliy impressive win and we never do well there sadly.

Having Taylor in defence to communicate and help the others was rather good.

Great performance. I though Cleverley, Lansbury and Cowie in particular were in great form.

How tight is this league? Only 6 points from play-offs and yet only 6 points from 4th from bottom.

Looked something towards being solid with Taylor as was the case when Williamson came in.

Come on you horns !!

Rick Holden Forever wrote:
Just got back and i have to say a great performance and a fine win. I think the arrival of Taylor really settled the team down (esp Demerrit) and gave us the confidence to keep going forward. My only concern is that the impetus for the performance came from the loanees. Are the two youngsters signed in the window going to prove worthy replacements? Only time will tell.

The broken record continues.Show Malky the door.Buffoon !!!!

Very Good win for the lads. Most proberbly the best game of the season along with the Wednesday and QPR home results.

Momentum has to be on playing like that against Barnsley as they thrashed Preston 4-1 tonight.

Also after this game on Saturday, we have another 2 weeks off as Crystal Palace went through to the FA cup 5th Round next week when we were supposed to be playing them.
COYH

Clappers,

Apart from the result, the one thing that I've REALLY been impressed with is the way we rebuffed Spurs' offer for Loach. For the first time in ags, it felt like we weren't actually having a fire sale.

Talking of good performances, what exactly were Crystal Palace on tonight?

Nice one MM and the team - time to build properly for a strong final third of the season. Mid-table will do me nicely.

Piz. Inloc

enlightened one wrote:
Great performance,well done Malky.Sheffield apart from the first 10 mins were woeful.COYHs !!!!!!

just got back & have to agree with that, we did play well after the first 25 minutes but hard to say how well because Sheffield were that bad!
What a relief we never signed Cresswell because he is shocking - how he stayed on the pitch & Henderson got taken off I will never know!
Great 3 points & up 5 places - happy days!!

So disappointing - only 3-0 against such a poor side. Malky obviously hasn't a clue - Rick Holden for manager?

WooHoo! Bravo, MM.

I wonder if he reads these blogs?

O Hampton, ever feel like retracting all the rubbish you spouted. Idiot.

Rick Holden Forever wrote:
Just got back and i have to say a great performance and a fine win. I think the arrival of Taylor really settled the team down (esp Demerrit) and gave us the confidence to keep going forward. My only concern is that the impetus for the performance came from the loanees. Are the two youngsters signed in the window going to prove worthy replacements? Only time will tell.

Yes a good repeat of the Sky comments Colin; sadly you will have to do better than that as your cover up of your true identity as a Luton fan on a sad, extended wind-up was blown long ago.

Presumably you still want us to sign Robbie Fowler and Hasselbank???

What a result, just what the doctor ordered. blinding performance, my hat go's off the malky and the team.
keep it up you orns

We were compelling going forward. I have not seen us look this good this consistently for years.

Against this, Sheffield Utd were useless after the first 20 minutes.

Our defence looked shaky, thank goodness Loach is still here. Taylor looks a good acquisition tho, I think he will steady things up.

On balance 3-0 was a let-off for Sheff U. Great night!!

Security word - 'firm-lean' - just like me!!

I've been watching football week in, week out for over 50 years, equally shared between Watford, Wealdstone and Chelsea. Add on tv games and that must come to thousands of matches. I was a good player, I've been a director, I've managed. I could go on Mastermind answering questions on football. But it seems I know nothing! Why aren't this team 10 points clear at the top of the league??? They're brilliant!

First congratulations to Keith Hill, he refreed the game well and his only glaring mistake was not booking Mariappa for a bad tackle!

I didnt think we played that well unlike most of our contributors, but over the game you could see we were getting better and far more confident as time went on. Scott wasnt very busy but in the first half his brilliant reaction save helped turn the game. In all honesty the other major factor was Morgan getting injured, we capitalised with the first goal because he couldnt clear the long ball...clever thinking from Taylor? and thereafter we started finding ways through their patched up defence.

A brilliant performance it was not...but a great result and the team with Taylor included looked much better and Cleverly and Lansbury were getting back to form. Bodes well for the future and Malky is doing a great job. I actually saw Danny have a shot from outside of the box and he showed some aggression...good decision to drop him to the bench Malky.
The hornets looked to be on their way back thank goodness

I agree with Chris. It was not a vintage performance, but what was particularly pleasing was that after a first 20 minutes, when it looked like we would just play the long ball to H, we started to play football. On another day, we would have still drawn 0-0 or even lost 1-0, like against derby. Seeing the goals on TV highlights how bad they were from Sheffield United's viewpoint, but the definite positive is that both Cleverly and H chased 'lost'causes and their gamble succeeded. If we can get a similar result in our next two games, we will all start believing again that perhaps the play-offs are not just a dream.
One last point. Why was the atmosphere so flat, even at 3-0? Was it too easy in the end?

Ahhh, someone has mentioned the atmosphere! I thought it seemed really quiet but wasn't sure if it was due to ear damage caused at a ridiculously loud metal gig a couple of days previous. That aside, as most have said after a slow start we dominated and got a well deserved and much needed 3 points.

Agree that Taylor's presence allowed DeMerit to go about his business in a much more efficient manner, but for me it was the fact that Marriappa now looks like a very accomplished right back who was solid at the back and effective going forward. Our right side looked very good last night and made a big contribution to the overall performance.

When we get it right, we do look a very good side...we just need to get it right a bit more often and certainly away from home!

Agree fully with the last three posts. A good efficient performance rather than outstanding. Everyone did their jobs well and we took the chances given to us. Always difficult to tell if Utd were terrible or we just did not allow them to play. The addition of Taylor in the defence has improved it greatly as a whole, as both JD and AM looked much happier in their roles. If we keep up this level of performance we will be edging up the table rather than looking down. If we can win 3-0 on Tuesday nights then lets postpone all of our Saturday fixures.....

Couldn't make the game last night but well done MM and the boys. reading all these posts cheers me right up!

COYH!

Ok calm down. The performance was actually not all that good and I for one was glad that Sheff Utd were off their game. Taylor doesn’t deserve the hype. He was had a bad game couldn’t time his jumps to win headers (lucky he is 6”4’) and miss kicked the ball on numerous occasions, almost let Sheff back into the match got got away with it due to poor finishing. However he hasn’t played first team football this season so let’s give time to get match fit before we judge him one way or the other.
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Taylor, did as has been proved before, with MM, Williamson, Carlie etc bring the best out in DeMerit who is clearly not a leader and lacks positional sense. Mariappa was an upgrade at right back allowing Hodson to take a much needed rest. With a more assured defender behind him Cowie had his best game for a while and thank good for Cleverly.
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Helguson did what he does and Loach made an early save to keep us in it. I for one was glad to see Morgan leave the field, his injury turned the game. His leadership skills are clearly an inspiration to them. In the same way the preceding run was not worth worrying about lets not get over excited here.
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Watford are a mid table championship club who on occasions punch above their weight. Mid table is where I expect this side to end up. Still need to add a couple over the summer with the departures of Useless, Lansbury, Cleverly, Harley, Sadler, DeMerit and possible Loach to be expected but at least the club could be back on track

There is only one graham taylor,lol

I wish our "chairman" was more upbeat !!

Mariappa... can tie down a position at
right back until the end of season- Hodson can go on loan to a level where wingers don't have too much
pace or power

I know we all use nicknames, but surely it's time to retire the 'Useless' one, his performances and attitude deserve it

Not bad first time performance for Martin Taylor. Not played competitively since May last year, on the pitch for the whole 100 minutes, a clean sheet, what more could people have expected. He can only get better. Thoroughly enjoyable game and all players played their part. Sheffield were disappointing - so what, surely the result and the way we played was the most important thing - all our players looked confident and competent out on the pitch which has been lacking in recent games. Roll on Barnsley.

1) First 20 mins we were very poor.
2) Good not brilliant second half
3) Sheff Utd were awful
4) Taylor's heading was not good but his presence helped the back four and i'm sure he'll improve with games. Good signing.
5) Still not keen on 1 up front, didn't work at start of season and not convinced it will work in the future.
6) Atmosphere was very poor especially the first 60 mins, this is the vic tho!
7) Generally looked promising but home games have been, lets hope we can get a couple of wins and performances on the road.

I hope there's some valid points for people to comment on!

yes great win ,not great performance but did enough to break down a poor Sheff Utd team on the night ,two points to make
1.Now let's see a few decent away wins our away record is very poor can you get the team up for this MM

point 2 Ross Jenkins Why ! cannot see what he brings to team whatsoever ,obviously a MM favourite but to me we have much better ,do not like two holding players in team ,Eustace has been great Jenkins as we saw at Blackpool is a liability sorry but just watch him off the ball as well as on it .

ralphinator wrote:
I know we all use nicknames, but surely it's time to retire the 'Useless' one, his performances and attitude deserve it

Clearly, you were not at the game or if you were you were there complete with your white stick. He had a good game, Sheffield tried to kick him off the pitch, he did not retaliate he kept getting up and had another good solid game. Give him a break he deserves it and without him in midfield we would be in a lot worse position than we are now. Or is there some other stunning midfielder that we have on our books that we have kept under wraps up until now!
No - I didn't think so!
We've just won 3-0 against a play-off position team and all you can do is be negative.
Even Ricky H was positive after the match (as much as he can ever be).

That's the one boys!
Great performance.

Defence looked very organised with new arrival Taylor.
Yes, great signing.

If we keep playing like this every week we can look forward to a top ten finish! Maybe even reach the playoffs... Not counting my chickens but you have to hope!
Well done Malky you have my support 100%...Keep the results rolling and we may have a party on our hands...

All the negative people on here can go somewhere else and post crap, hell you may as well support Luton if you like losing that much..sh1tcvnt's!!

stevyweavy wrote:

ralphinator wrote:
I know we all use nicknames, but surely it's time to retire the 'Useless' one, his performances and attitude deserve it

Clearly, you were not at the game or if you were you were there complete with your white stick. He had a good game, Sheffield tried to kick him off the pitch, he did not retaliate he kept getting up and had another good solid game. Give him a break he deserves it and without him in midfield we would be in a lot worse position than we are now. Or is there some other stunning midfielder that we have on our books that we have kept under wraps up until now!
No - I didn't think so!
We've just won 3-0 against a play-off position team and all you can do is be negative.
Even Ricky H was positive after the match (as much as he can ever be).

stevyweavy: I think you are missing the point. That is exactly what ralphinator was saying. Retire the "useless" nickname. Not retire Eustace himself.

Strewth.

stevyweavy wrote:

ralphinator wrote: I know we all use nicknames, but surely it's time to retire the 'Useless' one, his performances and attitude deserve it

Clearly, you were not at the game or if you were you were there complete with your white stick. He had a good game, Sheffield tried to kick him off the pitch, he did not retaliate he kept getting up and had another good solid game. Give him a break he deserves it and without him in midfield we would be in a lot worse position than we are now. Or is there some other stunning midfielder that we have on our books that we have kept under wraps up until now! No - I didn't think so! We've just won 3-0 against a play-off position team and all you can do is be negative. Even Ricky H was positive after the match (as much as he can ever be).

stevyweavy. I think you need to re-read the posting. Your having a go at Ralph for being positive!

I agree with hertsnornet. Jenkins doesn't do anything. If the defence starts to look more solid with Taylor in it and Mariappa then we shouldn't need to defensive midfielders. Drop Jenkins, put Lansbury in the middle and play 2 up front, whether that be Hoskins, Graham or Buckley (when fit). Alternatively simply replace Jenkins with McGinn.

stevyweavy wrote:

ralphinator wrote: I know we all use nicknames, but surely it's time to retire the 'Useless' one, his performances and attitude deserve it

Clearly, you were not at the game or if you were you were there complete with your white stick. He had a good game, Sheffield tried to kick him off the pitch, he did not retaliate he kept getting up and had another good solid game. Give him a break he deserves it and without him in midfield we would be in a lot worse position than we are now. Or is there some other stunning midfielder that we have on our books that we have kept under wraps up until now! No - I didn't think so! We've just won 3-0 against a play-off position team and all you can do is be negative. Even Ricky H was positive after the match (as much as he can ever be).

Apologies - brain melt so used to reading negative comments about Eustace totally read it as another rant at Eustace.

Now back on same planet as you and totally agree well said! :)

I will take the nickname for the rest of the day!

stevyweavy wrote:

stevyweavy wrote:

ralphinator wrote: I know we all use nicknames, but surely it's time to retire the 'Useless' one, his performances and attitude deserve it

Clearly, you were not at the game or if you were you were there complete with your white stick. He had a good game, Sheffield tried to kick him off the pitch, he did not retaliate he kept getting up and had another good solid game. Give him a break he deserves it and without him in midfield we would be in a lot worse position than we are now. Or is there some other stunning midfielder that we have on our books that we have kept under wraps up until now! No - I didn't think so! We've just won 3-0 against a play-off position team and all you can do is be negative. Even Ricky H was positive after the match (as much as he can ever be).

Apologies - brain melt so used to reading negative comments about Eustace totally read it as another rant at Eustace. Now back on same planet as you and totally agree well said! :) I will take the nickname for the rest of the day!

Perhaps I wasn't as clear as I might have been and should have quoted the grahamtaylor comment where this was used, but it was certainly intended to be supportive of JE.
Thanks to others for clarifying and credit to you for retracting!

well well well

congratulations to the team
a great performance

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AM looks more comfortable at right back than central with JDM

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TC reminds me of maurice johnson....its been a log time since i saw a more gifted natural player

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nice to see RJ , DJ , JE , DC and HL
working as a unit

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glad SL still at the club and hope we can afford HH for next season

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also well done the subs all played an
important part in a good victory


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i must away to polish the pews and give thanks to the congregation


keep the faith

WMH wrote:

Rick Holden Forever wrote:
Just got back and i have to say a great performance and a fine win. I think the arrival of Taylor really settled the team down (esp Demerrit) and gave us the confidence to keep going forward. My only concern is that the impetus for the performance came from the loanees. Are the two youngsters signed in the window going to prove worthy replacements? Only time will tell.

Yes a good repeat of the Sky comments Colin; sadly you will have to do better than that as your cover up of your true identity as a Luton fan on a sad, extended wind-up was blown long ago.

Presumably you still want us to sign Robbie Fowler and Hasselbank???

A typical keyboard warrior. I'm not a furkin ***** fan gimp boy.

Great win last night, but i stand my ground on certain issues. I still believe Malky is found wanting at times and would benefit from a more experienced number two.

Rick Holden Forever wrote:

WMH wrote:

Rick Holden Forever wrote: Just got back and i have to say a great performance and a fine win. I think the arrival of Taylor really settled the team down (esp Demerrit) and gave us the confidence to keep going forward. My only concern is that the impetus for the performance came from the loanees. Are the two youngsters signed in the window going to prove worthy replacements? Only time will tell.

Yes a good repeat of the Sky comments Colin; sadly you will have to do better than that as your cover up of your true identity as a Luton fan on a sad, extended wind-up was blown long ago. Presumably you still want us to sign Robbie Fowler and Hasselbank???

A typical keyboard warrior. I'm not a furkin ***** fan gimp boy. Great win last night, but i stand my ground on certain issues. I still believe Malky is found wanting at times and would benefit from a more experienced number two.

As would you :)

Surley any footballing fan can see what jenkins brings to the team ref herts hornet? He works his socks of for 1 and he never gives the ball away he makes great runs which often goes unoticed, and breaks up play preventing opposition from going forward, we never won much when he was out injured just look it up , give the lad a bit of credit please.

"Jenkins makes great runs which often go unoticed" - they certainly do!!

herts hornet wrote:
yes great win ,not great performance but did enough to break down a poor Sheff Utd team on the night ,two points to make 1.Now let's see a few decent away wins our away record is very poor can you get the team up for this MM point 2 Ross Jenkins Why ! cannot see what he brings to team whatsoever ,obviously a MM favourite but to me we have much better ,do not like two holding players in team ,Eustace has been great Jenkins as we saw at Blackpool is a liability sorry but just watch him off the ball as well as on it .

i`m with you on jenkins he has no impact on the game whatsoever.too happy to be second to the ball, does not close the opponent down and when we have the ball rarely shows for it.

Dr.Oftaw wrote:

herts hornet wrote: yes great win ,not great performance but did enough to break down a poor Sheff Utd team on the night ,two points to make 1.Now let's see a few decent away wins our away record is very poor can you get the team up for this MM point 2 Ross Jenkins Why ! cannot see what he brings to team whatsoever ,obviously a MM favourite but to me we have much better ,do not like two holding players in team ,Eustace has been great Jenkins as we saw at Blackpool is a liability sorry but just watch him off the ball as well as on it .

i`m with you on jenkins he has no impact on the game whatsoever.too happy to be second to the ball, does not close the opponent down and when we have the ball rarely shows for it.

Dont usually disagree with Herst Hornet, but I thought it was a terrific performance. I thought we murdered one of the so-called favourites for promotion and I really enjoyed the game.
Agree, home form needs transferring to away form. And of course I agree with the comments re Master Jenkins. VERY famous ex-player sits right behind me and moans about him throughout each game. Like most of us, he wonders what he's doing on a football pitch. Maybe he'll get better. Maybe John Terry will receive a knighthood.

I am not a big fan of Jenkins, but he is playing in the Gavin Mahon role, where he does a lot of unseen work and Malky obviously thinks a lot of him. He certainly seems to add something to away results as in the last six league games he played before getting injured, we won 3 and drew 3. After he got injured, we managed just one point in six away games!
Even his detractors have to admit he is better than Severin.
As far as I am concerned, if Malky thinks he improves the shape of the team, allowing others more freedom, then that's enough for me. I don't think Malky will change too much at Barnsley after that win.

Last year when Jenkins played alongside Jack Cork I thought they were both really good. This season Jenkins has not really shown too much class and often the game appears to pass him by. However, he does add a defensive edge and I am not as certain as others that our back four are totally secure...For away games I would certainly play him but he is only just back from injury and as such he is entitled to a few more games and hopefully will find his best form, as I am sure will Hodson next season.

Berko Horn wrote:
I am not a big fan of Jenkins, but he is playing in the Gavin Mahon role, where he does a lot of unseen work and Malky obviously thinks a lot of him. He certainly seems to add something to away results as in the last six league games he played before getting injured, we won 3 and drew 3. After he got injured, we managed just one point in six away games! Even his detractors have to admit he is better than Severin. As far as I am concerned, if Malky thinks he improves the shape of the team, allowing others more freedom, then that's enough for me. I don't think Malky will change too much at Barnsley after that win.

"Unseen" by 15,000 spectators. I'm afraid I'm one of those whom, if he was to score hatricks in the next six games, he still wouldn't do it for me.
I just hate that type of player. Chelsea had one a few seasons back - Jokanovic (something like that), played exactly the same. Every player in the squad had a "kit sponsor" in the programme, except him. Maybe one for the coaches, not the spectators.

Please do not email me when a comment is added as i pressed no and i
keep getting emails!

watters84 wrote:
Please do not email me when a comment is added as i pressed no and i keep getting emails!

did u get this? lol

Rick Holden Forever wrote:

WMH wrote:

Rick Holden Forever wrote: Just got back and i have to say a great performance and a fine win. I think the arrival of Taylor really settled the team down (esp Demerrit) and gave us the confidence to keep going forward. My only concern is that the impetus for the performance came from the loanees. Are the two youngsters signed in the window going to prove worthy replacements? Only time will tell.

Yes a good repeat of the Sky comments Colin; sadly you will have to do better than that as your cover up of your true identity as a Luton fan on a sad, extended wind-up was blown long ago. Presumably you still want us to sign Robbie Fowler and Hasselbank???

A typical keyboard warrior. I'm not a furkin ***** fan gimp boy. Great win last night, but i stand my ground on certain issues. I still believe Malky is found wanting at times and would benefit from a more experienced number two.

Doesn't Colin the little Luton fan like it when he gets some back. Diddums!

Ever heard of irony 'keyboard warrior'?

Thought not......

Ignore the odious little wretch and he'll hopefully naff off back to Luton/QPR.

I think all the JENKINS haters are either oldies like EUSTACE or are his love children...
Eustace is terrible,and when he plays with JENKINS makes him look crap.

Play JENKINS with HENRI and see!
4midfilders who can play football..
HOOFERS out,teams that win league have quality..

JENKINS has just signed for the top agents in Europe,what do they see..abilty!

Bet he ends up in the prem 100%,England under 20's player..
So obviously people rate him,people who are rating him are experienced and ex pros..They no more about football than us..

DO THE MATHS,your all probably all ex-sunday league players like me who think they know it all,
Support our players,dont slag them off..

MM likes him,,,why??? MM IS ex-prem & international..and did Frank Lampard SRN love JENKINS?? YES!!

AGAIN...Do the maths guys..