Ipswich end Hornets hoodoo (From Watford Observer)

Listened to that all night on Hornets Player and sounded very disappointing. Garner sounded dire and things seemed to improve when CI came on. We need to be careful when calling for his departure as he does seems to be able to change things slightly when he comes on. Garner on the other hand.......?
Finally, what a thoroughly disappointing crowd of just over 11,000 home supporters for our first, league home encounter under the new regime.

Fair play to Ipswich, came with a game plan, stopped us playing and we didn't stop them. Although in the first half wes topped ourselves more than them stopping us. Ironically we looked far better when we went long. Zola very magnanimous on Five on the way home and said we got what we deserved and I think we did. Hopefully we'll learn from it and get better at implementing a Plan B when needed. If the new boys didn't know about the Championship, they do now!

It is going to take time obviously . Chillax everyone . Still good value at 9-1 for promotion : ) we will have a different looking side in 6 weeks

Just got in from the game, we deserved to lose that game. I think Zola got his tactics wrong today. I know he wants to be playing a passing game but we should be doing everything we can to win, and tonight we were up against a keeper who we know is very uncomfortable in aerial bombardments. We were pretty much poor across the board today, Ipswich knew to give us no time on the ball and we were under to much pressure. Garner completely ineffective today, sooner everyone's fit the better. Unsatisfactory tonight.

Was there .... and just no striking options. When we did play some nice passing football it was just too square and we invariably ended up going backwards. Lacking any commanding presence in midfield ....Ipswich took their chance and Chopra always looked as if he might just pocket one. And Loach looked as if he's enjoying his football with Ipswich more than he did with Watford !!

Missed John Eustace today , his passing around the middle of the park on Saturday was simple and often the catalyst for some very good moves.
Much as we all like watford players to do well I think time has run out for Garner and to a lesser extent Yates.
Garner will never be an arial threat but even when the ball is played into feet he looses it far to easily.
Young Murray has had two poor games by his standard but we all know what he is caperble of.
Still excited by the way we are tring to play , it is going to take a while for everyone to gel.

Dire performance by us, overall we were cr4p. Outplayed 1st half, better 2nd. Didn't close them down, their passing was slick, even in tight areas and they were much faster (and fitter) than us, particularly down the flanks. Yes, we had one flowing move of 20-30 passes on the ground but it was mainly backwards or sideways (weren't Chelsea coached by Ray Wilkins when Zola was there?) Oh for a strong, tall striker - Garner had no support and Iwelumo tries hard but with little result. I think we missed Eustace tonight. Murray had a poor game, but so did most of them. We don't seem to have much height in midfield either, can't you stick them in a gro-bag overnight GFZ ?!

Loach proved tonight just what a arrogant piece of work the weasel really is? Kissing the badge , geeing up tractor fans and gesturing at Watford fans! For those **** kissing him well done! Should have been made to feel uncomfortable!

Very poor tonight, improved in the second half but to mant misplaced passes aswell as over playing in dangerous areas and giving the ball away cheaply. We looked very tired for the goal which is a worry. Feel abit sorry for garner, i think he would be better with some one up with him as he is just not physical enough and lets face it did he have a single descent ball to get on the end of? Lets hope its just growing pains....

As long as i have a hole in my backside playing Yeats and Garner in the starting line up you will win nothing. It will get better i hope but will everyone now see including mr zola that there are certain players who are not up to standard. Murray had a poor night and may i say looks a bit tubby ?? If we want to play this passing game it has got to be quicker and more movement.

Oh for God's sake forget about Loach, (although I struggle to see how keeping a clean sheet away from home makes him an arrogant piece of work), surely we should all be far more concerned with the current staff than those who were here last season. What on earth was that all about? Long periods of utterly futile passing interspersed with Nyron thrashing it 50 yards in the vague direction of Garner. That was, and I don't say this lightly, worryingly similar to the nonsense we were served up under Vialli. I'm not remotely bothered about the result - we probably deserve two draws to be honest - but if anybody could tell me what on earth Zola and Co were trying to achieve this evening I'd be grateful.

woefull tonight.knowing loach was in goal we had 2 tame shots on target all night.apart from a couple of lame headers going wide,that was all we could muster.cant work out our tactics at all.4 3 3 is very difficult to play as we didnt have 3 up front.garner on his own with vydra and murray working either side slightly deeper.a central 3 of abdi,hogg and yeates leaves us vulnerable as all are relatively small and win nothing in the air.back 4 were ok but worried about the vialli style of both centre halves rushing wide to recieve the ball and trying to play "wilkins" passes all night.almunia made some great saves but cocked a few up as well,didnt like to be rushed whilst in posession.i think a more robust 4 5 1 or 4 4 2 suits us better whilst mixing a bit of long and short passes.we looked too narrow tonight and players looked lost.when ikechi came on big chris shrugged his shoulders and gestered to hogg with his fingers suggesting what formation to play!!.totally clueless and beaten by a much better passing team.murray looks a stone heavier and is playing poor,whilst yeates is not a central midfielder.we are really lightweight up front and their back four had an easy night.we played as if we were the away team.

We will need at least a season to play a passing game. Playmakers are hard to find with little cash to spend. Many teams have attempted to play total soccer but its hard to find the Xavis or Iniesta types.Players who can see a pass. I believe Gianfranco has and is doing well thus far, after all look at United with all there cash and world class players. Everton 1 Utd 0.

The weaknesses were on show tonight. Despite a resilient defence even Taylor and Nolsworthy's magnificent efforts could not make up for the holes in midfield and the ineffectiveness of our forwards. The tractor boys had the run of midfield for much of the match. Despite all Ipswich's classy passing in the first half we still could have nicked it in the last ten minutes but we lacked quality in front of goal for all of Vydra's running. Fair result. Sometimes there is justice in football.

We had 2 clear cut chances in the second half with headers which Abdi and Noz missed, they were all over us in the 1st half so when all said and done we didn't deserve to win, big Chris won everything when he came on and his flick ons were not met by anyone as we did not play with an out and out striker,Sean looks like he has got bigger but at his age he will bulkup as his muscle mass will be greater. We are only in to our second game so lets just get behind the team and support them

We had three wingers in the team, but none on the field. It wasn't that Ipswich closed us down; they just read our obvious pass.

At least when Iwelumo came on, we looked as if we might score. Not impressed with the subs, nor with a Watford sub in the third minute of stoppage time. And no Forsyth even on the bench.

I cannot believe some of the numpties around me in the rookery and on this site. We are two league games into a nine month season, with new players, new style, new manager and new owners. For goodness sake! As supporters, we too have to change.

We have been used to blood and thunder, in your face style football for many years and now it's changed.

We DON'T need to "get stuck in" or "put him under pressure".

We DO need to keep shape and be patient.

PLEASE. Just accept the fact that whilst we have the ball, our opponents cannot score. Yes, it's a bit frustrating at times and we do need to be more decisive with passing and decision making, but it WILL take time.

In the end though I'm sure it will be good. Remember how Judas Rodgers started at WFC? Crab football against Scunthorpe sticks in my mind, but we did get a lot better. (Still hope he fails at Liverpool though)!

Tonight was abosulte crap to watch... with out eustace we had no shape in midfield and no natural leader. No one seemed to be running on to any flicks garner provide ( and trust me he was getting the flicks ). there was a lack of movement and creativity. Firstly i don't think you can play Garner upfront on his own. You either have to play him with some one like big Chris who can flick it on or set him up or not play him at all. Secondly he was up against players much taller then him so he did well to actual get the first ball.... you cant complain about his work effort either... But from a team performance there was nothing today, no one seemed to move for anything very stationary, playing back across the edge of the box, which is scary when you have ipswich hammering down at you....overall we didnt deserve those points... in my opinion

SAHornet wrote:
Listened to that all night on Hornets Player and sounded very disappointing. Garner sounded dire and things seemed to improve when CI came on. We need to be careful when calling for his departure as he does seems to be able to change things slightly when he comes on. Garner on the other hand.......?
Finally, what a thoroughly disappointing crowd of just over 11,000 home supporters for our first, league home encounter under the new regime.

you're right and the support was as mute as always.
I agree with Jason on Garner, big Chris gave us much needed height.
And as for Loach, Bucklers right, but we did not test him, it's a shame because he was ripe for the picking.
Disappointing night all round, but the fans are failing miserably in their duty to lift the team. ( you broke your promise Chris the Vic).
One more thing, I think we have players who will never adapt to this style and I will be glad to see the new boys replace them.

lutondown wrote:

SAHornet wrote:
Listened to that all night on Hornets Player and sounded very disappointing. Garner sounded dire and things seemed to improve when CI came on. We need to be careful when calling for his departure as he does seems to be able to change things slightly when he comes on. Garner on the other hand.......?
Finally, what a thoroughly disappointing crowd of just over 11,000 home supporters for our first, league home encounter under the new regime.

you're right and the support was as mute as always.
I agree with Jason on Garner, big Chris gave us much needed height.
And as for Loach, Bucklers right, but we did not test him, it's a shame because he was ripe for the picking.
Disappointing night all round, but the fans are failing miserably in their duty to lift the team. ( you broke your promise Chris the Vic).
One more thing, I think we have players who will never adapt to this style and I will be glad to see the new boys replace them.

You're right about the crowd, LD. Even from 10,000kms away, all I could hear was the Ipswich lot - nowt from The Rookery. I have to admit to being a tiny bit ashamed even though I probably have no right to as a non-attending fan.

SAHornet wrote:

lutondown wrote:

SAHornet wrote:
Listened to that all night on Hornets Player and sounded very disappointing. Garner sounded dire and things seemed to improve when CI came on. We need to be careful when calling for his departure as he does seems to be able to change things slightly when he comes on. Garner on the other hand.......?
Finally, what a thoroughly disappointing crowd of just over 11,000 home supporters for our first, league home encounter under the new regime.

you're right and the support was as mute as always.
I agree with Jason on Garner, big Chris gave us much needed height.
And as for Loach, Bucklers right, but we did not test him, it's a shame because he was ripe for the picking.
Disappointing night all round, but the fans are failing miserably in their duty to lift the team. ( you broke your promise Chris the Vic).
One more thing, I think we have players who will never adapt to this style and I will be glad to see the new boys replace them.

You're right about the crowd, LD. Even from 10,000kms away, all I could hear was the Ipswich lot - nowt from The Rookery. I have to admit to being a tiny bit ashamed even though I probably have no right to as a non-attending fan.

You've every right bud, it's pathetic

Total pants. No movement, no closing down, no pace, no passion. 3 games at home (yes i know one was only a friendly v spurs) and barely a shot a game.

3 points at palace (who were walloped by BC last night) was only courtesy of 2 bad keeper errors.

Yes I'll give them time but the early signs are not good.

buckler wrote:
Loach proved tonight just what a arrogant piece of work the weasel really is? Kissing the badge , geeing up tractor fans and gesturing at Watford fans! For those **** kissing him well done! Should have been made to feel uncomfortable!

Ahh ..didums Buckler, were you expecting him to blow a big kiss, after all the support you showed him, maybe to do a Andy Murray, come to find you and give you big hug ?? .. never mind you can always give LD a cuddle

Early days, far to early to judge especially as in a few weeks I think the team will look very different. My only concern is that if it takes half a season to bed the new players in and get the team performing it will probably be to late to mount any serious challenge and then all of our loan players will go back. Then we go through the same process all over again next season. Hope these fears prove groundless and the side gets up and running in double quick time. The problem is that the time of passing game we are trying to introduce works on the continent because the opposition lays off and gives you time on the ball, but as the Vialli era (and last night showed) teams in the Championship will close you down and won't allow you to play that sort of game. I hope that we can overcome this major difference.

Feel like **** this morning after that build up to a home game and more i think about it it was dribble.

lutondown wrote:

SAHornet wrote:

lutondown wrote:

SAHornet wrote: Listened to that all night on Hornets Player and sounded very disappointing. Garner sounded dire and things seemed to improve when CI came on. We need to be careful when calling for his departure as he does seems to be able to change things slightly when he comes on. Garner on the other hand.......? Finally, what a thoroughly disappointing crowd of just over 11,000 home supporters for our first, league home encounter under the new regime.

you're right and the support was as mute as always. I agree with Jason on Garner, big Chris gave us much needed height. And as for Loach, Bucklers right, but we did not test him, it's a shame because he was ripe for the picking. Disappointing night all round, but the fans are failing miserably in their duty to lift the team. ( you broke your promise Chris the Vic). One more thing, I think we have players who will never adapt to this style and I will be glad to see the new boys replace them.

You're right about the crowd, LD. Even from 10,000kms away, all I could hear was the Ipswich lot - nowt from The Rookery. I have to admit to being a tiny bit ashamed even though I probably have no right to as a non-attending fan.

You've every right bud, it's pathetic

Do you not think that WFC have ruined the atmosphere by its determination to become a family club. Whilst I realise all support of all ages is needed there needs to be a balance, football was a working mans pleasure in which the weeks frustrations were often vented at officials or the opposing team. Its as if people are scared to sing, shout, abuse the officals at the Vic anymore.

Last season in the Rookery a supporter shouted a few choice words at the ref to which a woman stood up and shouted at him because he had used bad languge in front of her child. I could understand if this had happened in the family enclosure but the Rookery?

Its also been a while since watford have had a player that generates excitment, remember the buzz when Barnes had the ball.

Last nites game was dire but not going to say anything, learnt my lesson last season. But dont understand why we didn't test whats arguably the leagues worst keeper for crosses.

Rant over have a good day fellow horns.

As I said "Its going to be a long old season" before we ever get promoted out of this lot . Default position already, ie, fingers crossed and Come On You Horns ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

Well the hoodoo is broken and we put in a passing display that threatened little.

We now have played three competitive games and a tough friendly against Spurs.

Zola has now had enough time to review the players, look at those who played several pre season games plus the competitive games and he now has to show his mettle as a manager.

Garner and Yeates, as predicted, and well known to all who follow the horns are a couple of damp squibs and need selling or loaning out along with Forsyth who thankfully did not make the bench.. If we cant call on good replacements from unfit loanees then we need to play the youngsters. because playing any of those three puts us at an immediate disadvantage.

I did not read all the contributions before entering the fray.
We have three points it is early days and yet many are already being negative. Judge the crowd in September after the holidays, lets give Zola until end of next month before having a go and the same sort of time for all our loanees.
My two criticisms of the owners and the new management has to be the lack of fitness of so many of the new boys including Fitz Hall. it makes the early season more difficult than it should have been and their PR. Patience hopefully will be rewarded and PR does nothing to improve our points total.
Keep supporting the cause and if the new owners are half as good as they are cracked up to be we will soon be winning more than we lose. KEEP THE FAITH.

There's nothing wrong with the passing game but there were a few things wrong with the way we played it last night:

1 You have to pass and move. Too many players last night were stood still waiting to be passed the ball so they could show they can control it. Well done, but that gets you nowhere on its own.
2 If a team presses you high up the pitch (like ipswich did) you have to stretch them behind. Our front players should have enough tactical nouse to see that coming short for the ball isn't working and they need to run the channels and get in behind.
3 It's all very good getting close to players but pressing is a different thing. It means getting a foot in and disrupting their play. Hogg, Abdi and Murray did this. Yeates, Vydra and Garner did not.
4 When you've seen Scott Loach screw up for five years, maybe have a few shots.
5 To be a good passing team, the goalie doesn't always have to pass the ball out to defenders. With Almunia's distribution, I'd prefer him to pick out someone further up the field than some of our defenders right now.

Overall, it wasn't encouraging but it wasn't a disaster either. Abdi and Hogg could be a serious midfield this season and I'd play Murray in there with them, not out wide. He likes a tackle and works hard, plus he's better than yeates. Most worried about the strikeforce at the moment as garner doesn't look up to it, so hopefully Vydra will settle in quickly.

Finally, on Loach, I clapped him at the start and didn't particularly like the booing at the end. He might have been a bit sh*t for us but he wasn't a pr*ck. Booing him only lessens the impact of booing real pr*cks like Rodgers. And I don't buy this 'he can't celebrate with the Ipswich fans' thing. He plays for them and they got a 1-0 away win in the last ten minutes. If I were him, I'd be happy about that.

Anyway, apart from one error that was nearly very big last night, I'm more than happy with Almunia. He can kick under pressure, he likes to shout at defenders and he isn't a p*ssy.

We must give them time to educate the players to deliver their plan ....but the question is "what is their plan ?".

If its to play quick passing football with lots of movement, the odd ball behnd into space, and closing down opponents when we don't have the ball, then fine.

If its to play slow sideways football with no urgency, and to give opponents as much time and space on the ball as they want (a la Vialli), then we will always struggle to create chances and win games.

Hmm..........work in progress, and it may take a while. Clearly GZ has a style he wishes to play and pretty pretty it looks, but getting the players on the same wavelength is going to take some time, and some players may not quite be up to what he wants.
Far too many misplaced passes, often when a player looked where a man was and then rolled it to where he thought he was, only for the recipient to have moved elsewhere. That will change with time. Abdi looks absolute class to me, even if lacking fitness, as did Pudil.
The passing from the back is fine, but eventually NN or LH are going to make a howling mistake and gift a goal.
I didn't understand the complete absence of anyone on the right flank for much of ther game with no one in front of Hodson and Yetaes playing a rather odd role in central midfield. Also very annoying that in refraining from the long ball, Iwelumpo immediately changed us for the better, and that we conceded so late after hitting the bar and spurning two great chances, and generally looking a lot better in the last 20 mins didn't send me home happy.
No complaints about the result though; they looked a very well drilled side, confident in possession, and fitter than us............I just hate Chopra ever since Ray Lew dropped Tommy Smith for the Soton semi final after Chopra scored 4 against Burnley..........he is horrible.
Also, what is going on with Murray? Very slow, overweight, and even his touch deserted him. Hopefully there aren't any "issues" with him.
The CP result was put in context with their thumping at Bristol.............
...apparently CP were, Zaha apart, absolute dross.
It's gonna be tough over the first couple of months, but then last season was the same, so I feel no need whatsoever to disheartened as yet. It's a very very tough league with loads of teams of similar quality, and a lot of richer clubs than us. Frustrating, but perspective is required, and after all, 11000 fans and a graveyard atmosphere makes me wonder sometimes if we don't get what we deserve.............
there's barely a home game where the oppo fans don't give us a "Shhhhhhhh", and a "your support is effin ***t" which it isn't of course............it
's just very loyal,very conservative, and only warms up after and if the players get going. They have to earn our respect rather than the other way round. very odd but been like it for years.

Yellow blood wrote:
There's nothing wrong with the passing game but there were a few things wrong with the way we played it last night:

1 You have to pass and move. Too many players last night were stood still waiting to be passed the ball so they could show they can control it. Well done, but that gets you nowhere on its own.
2 If a team presses you high up the pitch (like ipswich did) you have to stretch them behind. Our front players should have enough tactical nouse to see that coming short for the ball isn't working and they need to run the channels and get in behind.
3 It's all very good getting close to players but pressing is a different thing. It means getting a foot in and disrupting their play. Hogg, Abdi and Murray did this. Yeates, Vydra and Garner did not.
4 When you've seen Scott Loach screw up for five years, maybe have a few shots.
5 To be a good passing team, the goalie doesn't always have to pass the ball out to defenders. With Almunia's distribution, I'd prefer him to pick out someone further up the field than some of our defenders right now.

Overall, it wasn't encouraging but it wasn't a disaster either. Abdi and Hogg could be a serious midfield this season and I'd play Murray in there with them, not out wide. He likes a tackle and works hard, plus he's better than yeates. Most worried about the strikeforce at the moment as garner doesn't look up to it, so hopefully Vydra will settle in quickly.

Finally, on Loach, I clapped him at the start and didn't particularly like the booing at the end. He might have been a bit sh*t for us but he wasn't a pr*ck. Booing him only lessens the impact of booing real pr*cks like Rodgers. And I don't buy this 'he can't celebrate with the Ipswich fans' thing. He plays for them and they got a 1-0 away win in the last ten minutes. If I were him, I'd be happy about that.

Anyway, apart from one error that was nearly very big last night, I'm more than happy with Almunia. He can kick under pressure, he likes to shout at defenders and he isn't a p*ssy.

agree 100%

It is going to take time for things to settle so nobody should be worrying just yet. Realistically Garner and Iwelumo are the only 2 fit strikers and that is why they are the only two playing. Garner is well out of his depth at this level and needs to be dropped for the brummy game for Iwelumo who completely changed the game last night when he came on. We shouldn't be worried about the striker situation at all though because when Beleck and Geijo are fully fit, they're both big and reasonably quick (presumably) being far more effective that Garner! COYH

I found myself wishing for the hoofball style! The passing game may be more fashionable and more effective if you can do it properly but if all you're going to do is pass it from side to side in your own half without going forward, it's a waste of time and brain deadening to watch. The result was that we were too deep for the whole match and no one feeding the forwards. It may have worked against Palace because they weren't coming at us all the time, tightly marking us, intimidating us like Ipswich were.

Eastsussexhornet wrote:
I found myself wishing for the hoofball style! The passing game may be more fashionable and more effective if you can do it properly but if all you're going to do is pass it from side to side in your own half without going forward, it's a waste of time and brain deadening to watch. The result was that we were too deep for the whole match and no one feeding the forwards. It may have worked against Palace because they weren't coming at us all the time, tightly marking us, intimidating us like Ipswich were.

I liked the way Ipswich played, and hope that's how GZ wants to get us playing. Lots of energy, pressing and mixing up the play with good passing and the odd longer ball.

Waste of £200 quid for me and the Mrs to travel up last night. I know we are a work in progress and I didnt expect to see Barcelona mark 2 last night but I didnt expect to see the Barrow Reserves that got served up either.
There's passing football and there's pi55ing about and we got the latter last night when we just went round in circles and then laid the ballback to Almunia (excellent game) who was forced to hoof under pressure.

No penetration little movement and many were inferior to Ipswich fitness wise.

I am sure it will come good eventually,

Totally agree with "Yellow blood"s comments too - Was there last night, and apart from a couple of half-decent moments, I was left completely un-inspired & wandering whether I was watching the 'hoofball' of seasons past!!! - My additional concerns are that: (i) Noz & Tiny at the back look very nervous on the ball. Understandably not used to playing passing football, but they need to wise up quick! And Noz seemed to pass to players in blue, more often than those in yellow! A bad day at the office, in terms of his passing, I hope! (ii) Too often team-mates weren't making themselves available for 'the pass' from the man on the ball, which resulted in mis-placed passes & ultimately lack of possession! - I expect these issues are due to the change in system & style, and everyone's still getting used to it - But we need to learn very quickly, as this is a tough league with no easy games - Fingers crossed GZ & the team show some improvement soon...

lutondown wrote:

SAHornet wrote:
Listened to that all night on Hornets Player and sounded very disappointing. Garner sounded dire and things seemed to improve when CI came on. We need to be careful when calling for his departure as he does seems to be able to change things slightly when he comes on. Garner on the other hand.......?
Finally, what a thoroughly disappointing crowd of just over 11,000 home supporters for our first, league home encounter under the new regime.

you're right and the support was as mute as always.
I agree with Jason on Garner, big Chris gave us much needed height.
And as for Loach, Bucklers right, but we did not test him, it's a shame because he was ripe for the picking.
Disappointing night all round, but the fans are failing miserably in their duty to lift the team. ( you broke your promise Chris the Vic).
One more thing, I think we have players who will never adapt to this style and I will be glad to see the new boys replace them.

Was super excited about last night.

Queuing until 8PM to get my bl00dy pre-ordered ticket not a good start!

Bought a program to work out who was who - the programs are still incredibly badly written but squad list was useful.

I got exactly what I expected last night. A team trying to implement a style of play, but it not coming naturally to them yet. The passing and movement was all a bit 'forced'.

Yeates looked excellent in the middle as oppose to on the wing. Kept the ball nicely and moved it well. Abdi needs to get used to the fact he won't have time to take three touches and dwell on it, Hogg was the outstanding performer on the night in my opinion.

Murray looked unfit somehow but we know what he can do. Garner was appalling. I've backed him on here but as a lone striker he is useless. Not one ball stuck all night. Imagine the polar opposite of Fellaini's performance against Utd on Monday.

Iwelumo was actually really effective. Or was it just that Garner was so ineffective that it seemed that way? Benefit of the doubt given, he had a good game and caused problems, bought others into play etc. Vydra looked better when Iwelumo came on.

Pudil is either dafter than Doyley or Zola asked him to play as the left side of a front five. Before the goal he was furthest man forward, when we had the ball at the back, and we paid for it. He looked knackered after ten minutes but a good footballer. He’s no Robbo though. Backed out of a good few 50/50’s.

Re the crowd, I actually thought it was an improvement. We sat top left of the Rookery as you look at it and thought it was fairly good. When we actually played well enough to shout about it, the crowd backed it and were roused into action by the 30 pass move in the first half.

Overall, enjoyed myself bar the result. Pitch was superb, loved the new philosophy and believe at least a handful of the new guys will come very good indeed.

Roll on next week.

jimbuctu wrote:

lutondown wrote:

SAHornet wrote:
Listened to that all night on Hornets Player and sounded very disappointing. Garner sounded dire and things seemed to improve when CI came on. We need to be careful when calling for his departure as he does seems to be able to change things slightly when he comes on. Garner on the other hand.......?
Finally, what a thoroughly disappointing crowd of just over 11,000 home supporters for our first, league home encounter under the new regime.

you're right and the support was as mute as always.
I agree with Jason on Garner, big Chris gave us much needed height.
And as for Loach, Bucklers right, but we did not test him, it's a shame because he was ripe for the picking.
Disappointing night all round, but the fans are failing miserably in their duty to lift the team. ( you broke your promise Chris the Vic).
One more thing, I think we have players who will never adapt to this style and I will be glad to see the new boys replace them.

Was super excited about last night.

Queuing until 8PM to get my bl00dy pre-ordered ticket not a good start!

Bought a program to work out who was who - the programs are still incredibly badly written but squad list was useful.

I got exactly what I expected last night. A team trying to implement a style of play, but it not coming naturally to them yet. The passing and movement was all a bit 'forced'.

Yeates looked excellent in the middle as oppose to on the wing. Kept the ball nicely and moved it well. Abdi needs to get used to the fact he won't have time to take three touches and dwell on it, Hogg was the outstanding performer on the night in my opinion.

Murray looked unfit somehow but we know what he can do. Garner was appalling. I've backed him on here but as a lone striker he is useless. Not one ball stuck all night. Imagine the polar opposite of Fellaini's performance against Utd on Monday.

Iwelumo was actually really effective. Or was it just that Garner was so ineffective that it seemed that way? Benefit of the doubt given, he had a good game and caused problems, bought others into play etc. Vydra looked better when Iwelumo came on.

Pudil is either dafter than Doyley or Zola asked him to play as the left side of a front five. Before the goal he was furthest man forward, when we had the ball at the back, and we paid for it. He looked knackered after ten minutes but a good footballer. He’s no Robbo though. Backed out of a good few 50/50’s.

Re the crowd, I actually thought it was an improvement. We sat top left of the Rookery as you look at it and thought it was fairly good. When we actually played well enough to shout about it, the crowd backed it and were roused into action by the 30 pass move in the first half.

Overall, enjoyed myself bar the result. Pitch was superb, loved the new philosophy and believe at least a handful of the new guys will come very good indeed.

Roll on next week.

I'd like to add that an improvement in the crowd isn't saying much! But I thought just slightly more fervour and excitement to the singing than the last couple of seasons. Might be wrong. Seems most are not happy with it so maybe we just sat in the right place?

Chris the Vic wrote:
I did not read all the contributions before entering the fray.
We have three points it is early days and yet many are already being negative. Judge the crowd in September after the holidays, lets give Zola until end of next month before having a go and the same sort of time for all our loanees.
My two criticisms of the owners and the new management has to be the lack of fitness of so many of the new boys including Fitz Hall. it makes the early season more difficult than it should have been and their PR. Patience hopefully will be rewarded and PR does nothing to improve our points total.
Keep supporting the cause and if the new owners are half as good as they are cracked up to be we will soon be winning more than we lose. KEEP THE FAITH.

Totally agree with your point about fitness. Seems unprofessional to me to report for a new season unfit. I now understand that even young Sean Murray looks like a tub of lard. Correct?

jimbuctu wrote:

lutondown wrote:

SAHornet wrote:
Listened to that all night on Hornets Player and sounded very disappointing. Garner sounded dire and things seemed to improve when CI came on. We need to be careful when calling for his departure as he does seems to be able to change things slightly when he comes on. Garner on the other hand.......?
Finally, what a thoroughly disappointing crowd of just over 11,000 home supporters for our first, league home encounter under the new regime.

you're right and the support was as mute as always.
I agree with Jason on Garner, big Chris gave us much needed height.
And as for Loach, Bucklers right, but we did not test him, it's a shame because he was ripe for the picking.
Disappointing night all round, but the fans are failing miserably in their duty to lift the team. ( you broke your promise Chris the Vic).
One more thing, I think we have players who will never adapt to this style and I will be glad to see the new boys replace them.

Was super excited about last night.

Queuing until 8PM to get my bl00dy pre-ordered ticket not a good start!

Bought a program to work out who was who - the programs are still incredibly badly written but squad list was useful.

I got exactly what I expected last night. A team trying to implement a style of play, but it not coming naturally to them yet. The passing and movement was all a bit 'forced'.

Yeates looked excellent in the middle as oppose to on the wing. Kept the ball nicely and moved it well. Abdi needs to get used to the fact he won't have time to take three touches and dwell on it, Hogg was the outstanding performer on the night in my opinion.

Murray looked unfit somehow but we know what he can do. Garner was appalling. I've backed him on here but as a lone striker he is useless. Not one ball stuck all night. Imagine the polar opposite of Fellaini's performance against Utd on Monday.

Iwelumo was actually really effective. Or was it just that Garner was so ineffective that it seemed that way? Benefit of the doubt given, he had a good game and caused problems, bought others into play etc. Vydra looked better when Iwelumo came on.

Pudil is either dafter than Doyley or Zola asked him to play as the left side of a front five. Before the goal he was furthest man forward, when we had the ball at the back, and we paid for it. He looked knackered after ten minutes but a good footballer. He’s no Robbo though. Backed out of a good few 50/50’s.

Re the crowd, I actually thought it was an improvement. We sat top left of the Rookery as you look at it and thought it was fairly good. When we actually played well enough to shout about it, the crowd backed it and were roused into action by the 30 pass move in the first half.

Overall, enjoyed myself bar the result. Pitch was superb, loved the new philosophy and believe at least a handful of the new guys will come very good indeed.

Roll on next week.

Good post Jim. It's actually cheered me up a bit. Cheers

jimbuctu wrote:

lutondown wrote:

SAHornet wrote:
Listened to that all night on Hornets Player and sounded very disappointing. Garner sounded dire and things seemed to improve when CI came on. We need to be careful when calling for his departure as he does seems to be able to change things slightly when he comes on. Garner on the other hand.......?
Finally, what a thoroughly disappointing crowd of just over 11,000 home supporters for our first, league home encounter under the new regime.

you're right and the support was as mute as always.
I agree with Jason on Garner, big Chris gave us much needed height.
And as for Loach, Bucklers right, but we did not test him, it's a shame because he was ripe for the picking.
Disappointing night all round, but the fans are failing miserably in their duty to lift the team. ( you broke your promise Chris the Vic).
One more thing, I think we have players who will never adapt to this style and I will be glad to see the new boys replace them.

Was super excited about last night.

Queuing until 8PM to get my bl00dy pre-ordered ticket not a good start!

Bought a program to work out who was who - the programs are still incredibly badly written but squad list was useful.

I got exactly what I expected last night. A team trying to implement a style of play, but it not coming naturally to them yet. The passing and movement was all a bit 'forced'.

Yeates looked excellent in the middle as oppose to on the wing. Kept the ball nicely and moved it well. Abdi needs to get used to the fact he won't have time to take three touches and dwell on it, Hogg was the outstanding performer on the night in my opinion.

Murray looked unfit somehow but we know what he can do. Garner was appalling. I've backed him on here but as a lone striker he is useless. Not one ball stuck all night. Imagine the polar opposite of Fellaini's performance against Utd on Monday.

Iwelumo was actually really effective. Or was it just that Garner was so ineffective that it seemed that way? Benefit of the doubt given, he had a good game and caused problems, bought others into play etc. Vydra looked better when Iwelumo came on.

Pudil is either dafter than Doyley or Zola asked him to play as the left side of a front five. Before the goal he was furthest man forward, when we had the ball at the back, and we paid for it. He looked knackered after ten minutes but a good footballer. He’s no Robbo though. Backed out of a good few 50/50’s.

Re the crowd, I actually thought it was an improvement. We sat top left of the Rookery as you look at it and thought it was fairly good. When we actually played well enough to shout about it, the crowd backed it and were roused into action by the 30 pass move in the first half.

Overall, enjoyed myself bar the result. Pitch was superb, loved the new philosophy and believe at least a handful of the new guys will come very good indeed.

Roll on next week.

I was sat at the Vic could not hear the rookery at all bar one small period second half.
In fact it was deathly quiet for the first half. A freaking morgue!
But, I too like what Zola is Trying to achieve, but there are players out there who will never adapt
Roll on the new loanees being fit, Murray back to himself.
Though not a big Chris fan, he has nuisance value and so much better than that waste of space Garner.
Oh one for CogDave, shut up or put up

Eastsussexhornet wrote:
I found myself wishing for the hoofball style! The passing game may be more fashionable and more effective if you can do it properly but if all you're going to do is pass it from side to side in your own half without going forward, it's a waste of time and brain deadening to watch. The result was that we were too deep for the whole match and no one feeding the forwards. It may have worked against Palace because they weren't coming at us all the time, tightly marking us, intimidating us like Ipswich were.

Total agree, no urgency or ideas, crap to watch if we go from side to side... lets just hope that's they're creating a plan B , so when the passing style does fail we can try something else.

buckler wrote:
Loach proved tonight just what a arrogant piece of work the weasel really is? Kissing the badge , geeing up tractor fans and gesturing at Watford fans! For those **** kissing him well done! Should have been made to feel uncomfortable!

Your a brainless weasel,Loach Clapped the Vic end then came over to clap the Rookery end only to be hit with Verbal abuse from a section of fans.They can give the Stick but can't hack it back at em.He did not kiss the badge he simply put it into his mouth.I suggest you go to Spec-savers then Watford general Hospital to find a brain surgeon to insert some cells into that thick head of yours buckle brain!!

tonyevans22 wrote:

buckler wrote:
Loach proved tonight just what a arrogant piece of work the weasel really is? Kissing the badge , geeing up tractor fans and gesturing at Watford fans! For those **** kissing him well done! Should have been made to feel uncomfortable!

Your a brainless weasel,Loach Clapped the Vic end then came over to clap the Rookery end only to be hit with Verbal abuse from a section of fans.They can give the Stick but can't hack it back at em.He did not kiss the badge he simply put it into his mouth.I suggest you go to Spec-savers then Watford general Hospital to find a brain surgeon to insert some cells into that thick head of yours buckle brain!!

I suggest you take some of your own advice Evans And go do one. We should have peppered the swines goal and made him look the clown he is. Clowns? Of course it's coco Evans, the keyboard warrior courtesy if Bikly Smarts.
Rookery Enders, you have redeemed yourselves

lutondown wrote:

tonyevans22 wrote:

buckler wrote:
Loach proved tonight just what a arrogant piece of work the weasel really is? Kissing the badge , geeing up tractor fans and gesturing at Watford fans! For those **** kissing him well done! Should have been made to feel uncomfortable!

Your a brainless weasel,Loach Clapped the Vic end then came over to clap the Rookery end only to be hit with Verbal abuse from a section of fans.They can give the Stick but can't hack it back at em.He did not kiss the badge he simply put it into his mouth.I suggest you go to Spec-savers then Watford general Hospital to find a brain surgeon to insert some cells into that thick head of yours buckle brain!!

I suggest you take some of your own advice Evans And go do one. We should have peppered the swines goal and made him look the clown he is. Clowns? Of course it's coco Evans, the keyboard warrior courtesy if Bikly Smarts.
Rookery Enders, you have redeemed yourselves

Wonder how long it would take before Bucklers wife turned up..And the clown kept a clean sheet so 1-0 to the clown,and at least this keyboard warrior can spell Billy.It is only 5 letters,your get the hang of it one day!! We are the lower rous,half way line,half way up,feel free to visit me any time,it's a short trip to Watford General.

tonyevans22 wrote:

lutondown wrote:

tonyevans22 wrote:

buckler wrote:
Loach proved tonight just what a arrogant piece of work the weasel really is? Kissing the badge , geeing up tractor fans and gesturing at Watford fans! For those **** kissing him well done! Should have been made to feel uncomfortable!

Your a brainless weasel,Loach Clapped the Vic end then came over to clap the Rookery end only to be hit with Verbal abuse from a section of fans.They can give the Stick but can't hack it back at em.He did not kiss the badge he simply put it into his mouth.I suggest you go to Spec-savers then Watford general Hospital to find a brain surgeon to insert some cells into that thick head of yours buckle brain!!

I suggest you take some of your own advice Evans And go do one. We should have peppered the swines goal and made him look the clown he is. Clowns? Of course it's coco Evans, the keyboard warrior courtesy if Bikly Smarts.
Rookery Enders, you have redeemed yourselves

Wonder how long it would take before Bucklers wife turned up..And the clown kept a clean sheet so 1-0 to the clown,and at least this keyboard warrior can spell Billy.It is only 5 letters,your get the hang of it one day!! We are the lower rous,half way line,half way up,feel free to visit me any time,it's a short trip to Watford General.

Wear your red nose so I can identify you.

Jatt597 wrote:

Eastsussexhornet wrote:
I found myself wishing for the hoofball style! The passing game may be more fashionable and more effective if you can do it properly but if all you're going to do is pass it from side to side in your own half without going forward, it's a waste of time and brain deadening to watch. The result was that we were too deep for the whole match and no one feeding the forwards. It may have worked against Palace because they weren't coming at us all the time, tightly marking us, intimidating us like Ipswich were.

Total agree, no urgency or ideas, crap to watch if we go from side to side... lets just hope that's they're creating a plan B , so when the passing style does fail we can try something else.

What a total numpty. You give your-self away by saying "WHEN the passing style does fail". You just want it to fail so that we can go back to the same old, same old that has gotten us nowhere recently.

SAHornet wrote:

Jatt597 wrote:

Eastsussexhornet wrote:
I found myself wishing for the hoofball style! The passing game may be more fashionable and more effective if you can do it properly but if all you're going to do is pass it from side to side in your own half without going forward, it's a waste of time and brain deadening to watch. The result was that we were too deep for the whole match and no one feeding the forwards. It may have worked against Palace because they weren't coming at us all the time, tightly marking us, intimidating us like Ipswich were.

Total agree, no urgency or ideas, crap to watch if we go from side to side... lets just hope that's they're creating a plan B , so when the passing style does fail we can try something else.

What a total numpty. You give your-self away by saying "WHEN the passing style does fail". You just want it to fail so that we can go back to the same old, same old that has gotten us nowhere recently.

Its not difficult SA. He's saying "when" because he thinks it will fail sometimes (like Tuesday) not because he wants it to fail. Arsenal play beautiful football but are always criticised for having no plan B.

Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:

SAHornet wrote:

Jatt597 wrote:

Eastsussexhornet wrote:
I found myself wishing for the hoofball style! The passing game may be more fashionable and more effective if you can do it properly but if all you're going to do is pass it from side to side in your own half without going forward, it's a waste of time and brain deadening to watch. The result was that we were too deep for the whole match and no one feeding the forwards. It may have worked against Palace because they weren't coming at us all the time, tightly marking us, intimidating us like Ipswich were.

Total agree, no urgency or ideas, crap to watch if we go from side to side... lets just hope that's they're creating a plan B , so when the passing style does fail we can try something else.

What a total numpty. You give your-self away by saying "WHEN the passing style does fail". You just want it to fail so that we can go back to the same old, same old that has gotten us nowhere recently.

Its not difficult SA. He's saying "when" because he thinks it will fail sometimes (like Tuesday) not because he wants it to fail. Arsenal play beautiful football but are always criticised for having no plan B.

Well moaning fans have plan B, it's Luton, then they'll really see what it's like when the sugar plum fairy don't come calling. They can also take that rotten disease called the sleeping silent Football fan, with them. That'll teach them monkeys at Dog Kennel Lane

It was disappointing and Ipswich won with a simple game plan that many will follow.

So its up to Zola and co to counter this with a varied style I feel.