Hughes should've scored, I couldn't believe he missed. Our defence is shocking, not sure why Balbuena isn't playing, we look so much more composed with him next to Diop. Pretty poor shooting accuracy from your guys all game, you got into enough positions, but no one to finish them off. I think Haller is going to look cheap at £45m.
With respect to Big Ern, that was not a great West Ham side. With what we have on paper, we should be winning that, Brighton and at least threatening a point at Everton. But we are lacking at RB, very much. Fermenia was ball watching loads, hadn’t a clue where his man was most of the time. Yes, he made a couple of interceptions, but he is seriously lacking in FB ability, IMHO. Had a touch of the Jordan Stewarts about him, I hate to say. In the second half he left the CBs so exposed it was ridiculous. He walked back from being alongside our strikers as West Ham counterattacked. Several times. Holebas worked really hard and impressed me very much. If you’re going to go forward and threaten, then be ready to quell any counterattack. I think we need some of Quina’s energy and creativity earlier. Sarr impressed by going forward rather than sideways, most of the time. Welbeck did OK, I thought, although not fair to judge him on time he had. But the referee was a full on ****. He hadn’t a clue. Shocking.
We were chasing them around a lot in defence - as they broke quickly. We should have been 2-1 though but as I say we aren't good enough in both boxes.
Ogbonna and Masuaku were starting, so you've got no argument there. We needed 6 or 7 players for the matchday squad, 2xStrikers (we got) 2 Cm (we got a L/R AM) a LB RB & CB, but we didn't get any of those, I'm guessing they're next on the squad revamp, so the current ones get a run until they make a complete and utter ****-up, rather than just play badly. Masuaku, in particular, isn't a defender imo, he's a winger. But I'm optimistic for a euro-spot this year, we've got goals in us already, when the front-line really gels we could cause a few upsets.
Watford Head coach Javi Gracia speaking after the defeat to West Ham United, "In this moment, we played well in parts but didn´t take our chances. At the other end we let in a soft goal and couldn't defend after. We will work on this in training and get a better result in the next game, hopefully. I am proud of the efforts of my players today although not the result" SOUND ****ING FAMILIAR? (BTW that isn't his quote but I bet it ****ing goes along those poxy lines)
The real Javi speaks: Gracia said: “We’ve lost 1-3. That’s the final result. It’s true there were some moments in the game where we dominated, we created chances, but if you don’t score, if after 23 shots you only put three shots on target you have to be more clinical in the moments you dominate the game. In the second half you have to say West Ham played better, but even in that half we had one clear chance with Will where it’s impossible to miss. If we are critics with ourselves or demanding with ourselves we have to know we can’t concede seven goals in three games. We have to recover the balance with defending and attacking and when we have the chance we have to be more clinical, but in this moment we get punished for every mistake we make. But we need to change the momentum and try to change with a good game and with a good result.” The head coach’s position is increasingly coming under scrutiny following the poor run. Asked if he thought he would be given time to turn it around, Gracia responded: “I’m preparing for the next game and if when we win or lose I’m focused on the next game. I don’t think about the time. We have three days to prepare for Coventry in this case and one week to prepare for Newcastle and these two games in two different competitions are really important for us.” However, Gracia accepts the corner needs to be turned quickly after seven straight defeats. He said: “It’s true. What can I say, it’s true. If you want we can analyse the way we lose the [FA Cup] final or the different moments, but it’s true. The dynamic is not good and we need to improve. I know it. “
Could of done better for the last 2 goals - two missed tackles in the build up . Doucoure was a bit unlucky for the penalty. Attacker played it well . I like Hughes a - tidy passer proven by the Gray goal who also finished well but no winger . They would be great in the Championship!
We looked good coming forward but things must change in defence and at the back. The second goal there were 2 missed attempts to win the ball back down the side before the centre backs again showed they don't play well together both running away from the ball to the centre before one off them, Cathcart, realised and too late and went towards the ball. At CB we are one paced and all at sea. Kiko is not helping at RB either and neither is the defensive midfield duo helping much either. For Newcastle Dawson and Kiko should be dropped at the very least. I'm not sure if we will learn anything from Tuesday's selection and game.
