Aidy Boothroyd has challenged his players to show their mettle and rubber-stamp Watford's place in the play-offs on Sunday.
The Hornets go into the clash with Blackpool at Bloomfield Road needing victory to ensure they do not miss out on the play-offs.
A point may be enough, providing Wolves do not beat Plymouth Argyle by three clear goals, but the Hornets could finish what promises to be a tension-filled afternoon as high as fourth or as low as ninth.
"It's now a time for real courage," declared the manager, who will be updated on the progress of other games at half-time, on 70 minutes and with five minutes remaining.
"It's coming to a real climax now and it's time to stand up and be counted. The Watford dressing room is not a place for timid people this weekend. We have to do something about where we are.
"The mood in the camp is one of determination and doing something about where we have put ourselves. I expect us to bounce straight back."
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Watford go into the game against the Tangerines on the back of a 13-game run that has yielded just one victory, but Boothroyd expects his ailing side to show their mental fortitude and ensure the season is extended by at least a further two matches.
He is hoping the frank, hour-long exchange of views that took place in the dressing room in the immediate aftermath of Saturday's defeat at home to Scunthorpe United has galvanised the squad.
"There have been a few things that needed ironing out," he said. "Rather than point fingers it's case of looking at yourself and seeing if you could have done more. I'm not one to sulk and point fingers at other people. I didn't feel sorry for myself. You just have to get on with it and this is all part of getting better and dealing with something different."
Posted by: Metal Mickey, Iver Bucks on 11:12am Sat 3 May 08
The time for whingeing by the fans has passed, wherever you are whatever you are doing, tommorow at 2:00pm get behind Watford Football Club...forget the personalities do it for the yellow shirt..the fans, me included will be there doing our best. We all expect the men wearing that yellow shirt to do it for us...do not let us down
The time for whingeing by the fans has passed, wherever you are whatever you are doing, tommorow at 2:00pm get behind Watford Football Club...forget the personalities do it for the yellow shirt..the fans, me included will be there doing our best. We all expect the men wearing that yellow shirt to do it for us...do not let us down
Posted by: zip, life of colin. on 1:05pm Sat 3 May 08
well clappers i hope you're not getting too excited about sunday...we are going to lose.
I predict 2-0 Blackpool. As much as i hate saying this, this defeat is necessary....there needs to be a full inquest into what went wrong and the play offs will simply delay this process and might even paper over the cracks.
I think its insulting for the manager to cite the pitch as a reason for why his tactics have not undergone a radical shake up...the feeble words of a man lost or in total denial.
Its time for Boothroyd to go.
BOOTHROYD OUT BOOTHROYD OUT!
Oh and you too Gimpson.
well clappers i hope you're not getting too excited about sunday...we are going to lose.
I predict 2-0 Blackpool. As much as i hate saying this, this defeat is necessary....there needs to be a full inquest into what went wrong and the play offs will simply delay this process and might even paper over the cracks.
I think its insulting for the manager to cite the pitch as a reason for why his tactics have not undergone a radical shake up...the feeble words of a man lost or in total denial.
Stop the chat Aidy, start to produce, i think we have heard enough excuses to last a lifetime from you..
So come on lets have 4 great games and make the premiership...Shock us all, i think you owe it to the faithful supporters that have watched a load of rubbish played at home games.
Stop the chat Aidy, start to produce, i think we have heard enough excuses to last a lifetime from you..
So come on lets have 4 great games and make the premiership...Shock us all, i think you owe it to the faithful supporters that have watched a load of rubbish played at home games.
I have little intention of getting into argument on this site,or indeed of regularly bothering with it,but is there any constructive message or thought behind the input from zip life of colin?
I think not,and to treat Graham Simpson as you do shows a lack of understanding as well as poor standards of basic courtesy.
I have little intention of getting into argument on this site,or indeed of regularly bothering with it,but is there any constructive message or thought behind the input from zip life of colin?
I think not,and to treat Graham Simpson as you do shows a lack of understanding as well as poor standards of basic courtesy.
Posted by: Happy Grazer, Aylesbury on 2:32pm Sat 3 May 08
Aidy, a few pointers old boy, shouldn't your team have been showing courage all 45 games this season and not just the last one, perhaps we may have been in the premiershit already, and you keep mentioning taking positives from games when do you think you and your team will have developed a plan to exchange these positives to the other "P" word that you seem to have missed recently and that is points !!!, positives unless converted will never gain us promotion it's all just sounds like bull, still at least after this season at home we will have a well fertilised pitch, need I say more !!!
Aidy, a few pointers old boy, shouldn't your team have been showing courage all 45 games this season and not just the last one, perhaps we may have been in the premiershit already, and you keep mentioning taking positives from games when do you think you and your team will have developed a plan to exchange these positives to the other "P" word that you seem to have missed recently and that is points !!!, positives unless converted will never gain us promotion it's all just sounds like bull, still at least after this season at home we will have a well fertilised pitch, need I say more !!!
Posted by: Hexham Hornet, Hexham on 5:13pm Sat 3 May 08
It's not courage - you don't need courage to put the ball in the goal. It is a bit of self-belief and determination. If the fans show this on the terraces then hopefully the players will pick it up and use it to their advantage. Get behind the boys, whether you are there or shouting at your computer or radio!! COME ON YOU HORNS, YOU CAN DO IT, JUST BELIEVE!!
It's not courage - you don't need courage to put the ball in the goal. It is a bit of self-belief and determination. If the fans show this on the terraces then hopefully the players will pick it up and use it to their advantage. Get behind the boys, whether you are there or shouting at your computer or radio!! COME ON YOU HORNS, YOU CAN DO IT, JUST BELIEVE!!
Posted by: errollg, st albans on 5:13pm Sat 3 May 08
The simple truth is that over the last two years, most (but not all) of Aidy's signings have been atrocious.
We wouldn't be struggling for goals if we had players such as, for example Anthony MacNamee, Matt Spring, Marlon, Rinaldi, or Martin Devaney. Oops, we did have them but Aidy sold them all either in a huff or just stupidly!
Ellington, Priskin, Hoskins. Hugely expensive, all of them. Each one an utter failure, largely through sheer lack of effort. Shame on Priskin and Ellington in particular!
Aidy needs some humility to admit his big failings and work on them. He's still a good manager, but he's got a lot of ground to make up. Whichever division we're in next year, can we PLEASE have some exciting football? This season has been so boring I have almost had to seek professional help.
The simple truth is that over the last two years, most (but not all) of Aidy's signings have been atrocious.
We wouldn't be struggling for goals if we had players such as, for example Anthony MacNamee, Matt Spring, Marlon, Rinaldi, or Martin Devaney. Oops, we did have them but Aidy sold them all either in a huff or just stupidly!
Ellington, Priskin, Hoskins. Hugely expensive, all of them. Each one an utter failure, largely through sheer lack of effort. Shame on Priskin and Ellington in particular!
Aidy needs some humility to admit his big failings and work on them. He's still a good manager, but he's got a lot of ground to make up. Whichever division we're in next year, can we PLEASE have some exciting football? This season has been so boring I have almost had to seek professional help.
Posted by: Holly68, watford on 6:40pm Sat 3 May 08
I hope we win tomorrow, and win the play offs, but even if we did I still want a new manager to play attractive football next season regardless of division. hoofball and roigh tactics wont work in either division ....
I hope we win tomorrow, and win the play offs, but even if we did I still want a new manager to play attractive football next season regardless of division. hoofball and roigh tactics wont work in either division ....
Don't worry lads - Aidy has already said he will be in touch with scores at the other grounds.
Don't expect us to do anything brave or adventurous in an attempt to win the game and be totally sure if the otehr results start going our way.
We've relied on the otehr teams mucking up for the last few months, why change the tactics on the last day?
Don't worry lads - Aidy has already said he will be in touch with scores at the other grounds.
Don't expect us to do anything brave or adventurous in an attempt to win the game and be totally sure if the otehr results start going our way.
We've relied on the otehr teams mucking up for the last few months, why change the tactics on the last day?
errolg - whatever mistakes Aidy has made during his tenure, releasing Macca is most certainly not one of them - he was never the "answer".
Rinaldi? Powder-puff and ineffective. Did nothing when he had the chance (bar one mazy box-to-box run against Chelsea that came to NOTHING).
Martin Devaney - not a great player, has done OK at Barnsley but nothing more.
Marlon - his head was clearly gone, what, in all seriousness, would you have done? Once their heads are turned by the lure of big money to sit on a bench a do nothing, there is no return.
Matt Spring - hardly set the world alight at our neighbours has he? He was good for us in the Championship promotion season, but seriously underperformed in the Prem.
This season has been hugely frustrating, I agree, but don't spout such utter nonsense.
errolg - whatever mistakes Aidy has made during his tenure, releasing Macca is most certainly not one of them - he was never the "answer".
Rinaldi? Powder-puff and ineffective. Did nothing when he had the chance (bar one mazy box-to-box run against Chelsea that came to NOTHING).
Martin Devaney - not a great player, has done OK at Barnsley but nothing more.
Marlon - his head was clearly gone, what, in all seriousness, would you have done? Once their heads are turned by the lure of big money to sit on a bench a do nothing, there is no return.
Matt Spring - hardly set the world alight at our neighbours has he? He was good for us in the Championship promotion season, but seriously underperformed in the Prem.
This season has been hugely frustrating, I agree, but don't spout such utter nonsense.
What ever rallying the boys is being said by Aidy, he must realise that we are simply not good enough. If we did sneak through the play-offs Aidy might feel the team he has is good enough and may stick with these players. The whole lot a very poor and he would have to find at least another 8+ players for next season and then we could struggle as the team gets to know each other.
We are not ready for the premiership, we struggled with the team we had last time and most of them have gone now to be replaced by dross.
What ever rallying the boys is being said by Aidy, he must realise that we are simply not good enough. If we did sneak through the play-offs Aidy might feel the team he has is good enough and may stick with these players. The whole lot a very poor and he would have to find at least another 8+ players for next season and then we could struggle as the team gets to know each other.
We are not ready for the premiership, we struggled with the team we had last time and most of them have gone now to be replaced by dross.
Posted by: JohnBoy, Watford on 9:49pm Sat 3 May 08
[quote][bold]Martin[/bold] wrote:
errolg - whatever mistakes Aidy has made during his tenure, releasing Macca is most certainly not one of them - he was never the "answer".
Rinaldi? Powder-puff and ineffective. Did nothing when he had the chance (bar one mazy box-to-box run against Chelsea that came to NOTHING).
Martin Devaney - not a great player, has done OK at Barnsley but nothing more.
Marlon - his head was clearly gone, what, in all seriousness, would you have done? Once their heads are turned by the lure of big money to sit on a bench a do nothing, there is no return.
Matt Spring - hardly set the world alight at our neighbours has he? He was good for us in the Championship promotion season, but seriously underperformed in the Prem.
This season has been hugely frustrating, I agree, but don't spout such utter nonsense.[/quote] you are an apologist
Martin wrote:
errolg - whatever mistakes Aidy has made during his tenure, releasing Macca is most certainly not one of them - he was never the "answer".
Rinaldi? Powder-puff and ineffective. Did nothing when he had the chance (bar one mazy box-to-box run against Chelsea that came to NOTHING).
Martin Devaney - not a great player, has done OK at Barnsley but nothing more.
Marlon - his head was clearly gone, what, in all seriousness, would you have done? Once their heads are turned by the lure of big money to sit on a bench a do nothing, there is no return.
Matt Spring - hardly set the world alight at our neighbours has he? He was good for us in the Championship promotion season, but seriously underperformed in the Prem.
This season has been hugely frustrating, I agree, but don't spout such utter nonsense.
Posted by: luther67, watford on 10:26pm Sat 3 May 08
I think Martin's views on those departeded players are pretty close to the mark actually. The only one of those players that's a massive miss is Marlon and there was no way he was going to stay put.
I think Martin's views on those departeded players are pretty close to the mark actually. The only one of those players that's a massive miss is Marlon and there was no way he was going to stay put.
I would like to think that the majority of fans who write on here are intelligent, I think they are. Yet I keep reading from some that the sale of King was a huge mistake. How can you possibly keep or want to keep a player who has made it quite clear that he does NOT want to play for the club? Why is this consistantly raised as a comment? He wanted out and now he has gone. The loss of Johnson was a big turning point and maybe Hendo does miss his old mate up front, but guess what - that's football. Players come and players go. The fans are always there, some more than others but to criticise Adie and Simpson for the sale of King is totally ignorant and unfair. To criticise some of the tactics, substitutions etc are valid points, but please let the King thing go. I honestly have not got a clue what the score will be tomorrow, but I really hope at least one/some of the boys have their shooting boots on. C'mon you 'orns....the game starts at 7 am local time here so no chamnce of a lie-in tomorrow!! Good luck lads and the faithful fans making the trip to the land of sea-side rock.
I would like to think that the majority of fans who write on here are intelligent, I think they are. Yet I keep reading from some that the sale of King was a huge mistake. How can you possibly keep or want to keep a player who has made it quite clear that he does NOT want to play for the club? Why is this consistantly raised as a comment? He wanted out and now he has gone. The loss of Johnson was a big turning point and maybe Hendo does miss his old mate up front, but guess what - that's football. Players come and players go. The fans are always there, some more than others but to criticise Adie and Simpson for the sale of King is totally ignorant and unfair. To criticise some of the tactics, substitutions etc are valid points, but please let the King thing go. I honestly have not got a clue what the score will be tomorrow, but I really hope at least one/some of the boys have their shooting boots on. C'mon you 'orns....the game starts at 7 am local time here so no chamnce of a lie-in tomorrow!! Good luck lads and the faithful fans making the trip to the land of sea-side rock.
Totally right Darren, King was too big an ego in the end and no way would have performed had we insisted on keeping him against his will. Seems he now doubles his wage (allegedly) to sit on the bench at Wigan. Good luck with the 7am start, lets hope they do the business and then, you never know..
Totally right Darren, King was too big an ego in the end and no way would have performed had we insisted on keeping him against his will. Seems he now doubles his wage (allegedly) to sit on the bench at Wigan. Good luck with the 7am start, lets hope they do the business and then, you never know..
Whatever the rights or wrongs we have certainly missed Marlon. However, not using Rinaldi is Aidy's biggest failure. A great passer of the ball, a good free kick taker and skilful dribbler. He also brought the best out of Priskin by playing the balls along the ground into the channels Priskin regularly runs. If any of the current midfield actually see these runs they pump the ball hard at him at head height!
Whatever the rights or wrongs we have certainly missed Marlon. However, not using Rinaldi is Aidy's biggest failure. A great passer of the ball, a good free kick taker and skilful dribbler. He also brought the best out of Priskin by playing the balls along the ground into the channels Priskin regularly runs. If any of the current midfield actually see these runs they pump the ball hard at him at head height!
Posted by: mark, dunstable on 11:24am Sun 4 May 08
Pete, did you just say that Priskin runs some channels? From all the games he has played, i dont think i've ever seen him "run"!
However, playing to Priskin's strengths - ball below knee height, would help, and I'd like to have seen at least a bit of Rinaldi this season to see if it would've worked.
Also, i think our midfield probably could pass a lot better, if allowed to. They've always got their head up looking long. That cant be coincidence?
Pete, did you just say that Priskin runs some channels? From all the games he has played, i dont think i've ever seen him "run"!
However, playing to Priskin's strengths - ball below knee height, would help, and I'd like to have seen at least a bit of Rinaldi this season to see if it would've worked.
Also, i think our midfield probably could pass a lot better, if allowed to. They've always got their head up looking long. That cant be coincidence?
One of our biggest problems this season has been Big Dan wellying the ball upfield regardless of the space and time he has had.
It is hardly the fault of the midfield that balls rarely come to feet.
Don't get me wrong, I think Shittu is quite an asset in many ways, but he has been the main culprit when it comes to hoofing it long. If he could only learn to put his foot on it and look up every now and again I'm sure it would have a huge effect on our "style" of play.
One of our biggest problems this season has been Big Dan wellying the ball upfield regardless of the space and time he has had.
It is hardly the fault of the midfield that balls rarely come to feet.
Don't get me wrong, I think Shittu is quite an asset in many ways, but he has been the main culprit when it comes to hoofing it long. If he could only learn to put his foot on it and look up every now and again I'm sure it would have a huge effect on our "style" of play.
Posted by: Metal Mickey, Iver Bucks on 10:16am Mon 5 May 08
[quote][bold]zip[/bold] wrote:
well clappers i hope you're not getting too excited about sunday...we are going to lose. I predict 2-0 Blackpool. As much as i hate saying this, this defeat is necessary....there needs to be a full inquest into what went wrong and the play offs will simply delay this process and might even paper over the cracks. I think its insulting for the manager to cite the pitch as a reason for why his tactics have not undergone a radical shake up...the feeble words of a man lost or in total denial. Its time for Boothroyd to go. BOOTHROYD OUT BOOTHROYD OUT! Oh and you too Gimpson. [/quote] Zip why dont you shove your head up your sorry little backside, we dont need you or other twats like you, do us a favour go on holiday to Australia and dont come back..oh and take colin with you
zip wrote:
well clappers i hope you're not getting too excited about sunday...we are going to lose. I predict 2-0 Blackpool. As much as i hate saying this, this defeat is necessary....there needs to be a full inquest into what went wrong and the play offs will simply delay this process and might even paper over the cracks. I think its insulting for the manager to cite the pitch as a reason for why his tactics have not undergone a radical shake up...the feeble words of a man lost or in total denial. Its time for Boothroyd to go. BOOTHROYD OUT BOOTHROYD OUT! Oh and you too Gimpson.
Zip why dont you shove your head up your sorry little backside, we dont need you or other twats like you, do us a favour go on holiday to Australia and dont come back..oh and take colin with you
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