I’ve been going for fifty years, my Dad for eighty. We talk about WFC most days, and we’re OK with being in the second tier. I know I keep going on about the debt, but I guess our only fear is the potential to crash through divisions once money problems remain. That’s the only Premiership requirement I have. Going to watch us against QPR, Norwich, et al, is pretty much where I see our team, level-wise.
That is more or less the old 1st Div in the eighties with teams like Ipswich and Shea Wed now a division below us
Sure, when I refer to our level, I mean the new natural position thanks to Elton’s trebucheting us up from Workington, Southend et al! We’re not a fourth-tier club, these days.
Matej was going on about some pillock PE teacher at sixth form, who’s a Southend (“and Arsenal” ) fan. This creature keeps going on about Matej being a ‘laughing stock’ because of his support. I didn’t realise until Matej pointed it out, that Southend are not in the 92 these days.
And in danger of going bust unfortunately. There is an ex Arsenal (well about 9 games) and Southend player in the media - not him is it!? Mind you surely he'd know where Southend were...
Adam Leventhal seemed to suggest Gino told Cristiano Giaretta to tell Bilic he was sacked but given Manga made the statement so you are probably right there. And apparently they and Giaretta don't get on.. Not exactly ideal is it. Certainly agree - been there twice before in recent times so the thirst is there for that again although quite frankly apart from for finiacial reasons after last time what good would it do? But it's older fans saying the same - might just be recent bias as this is the here and now. I bet if social media had been around in the 90s or after GT left both times they would be saying the same sort of things. Plus players earn more now than ever and fans feel less connected to the game generally than before. Generally there is a lot more aggression and raw anger towards players I feel rather than just thinking oh dear that was rubbish/they aren't very good. Even a big row going on between fans themselves about how some behave at games on other forums and Twitter. All rather unsavory - sort of thing you expect from big teams supporters.
We are a top thirty club thanks to Elton and GT, when I started going on a regular basis that was our promised land
FL clubs can't take their status for granted these days, it's so easy to get into a downwards spiral. Just look at this - the current foot of the National League table. Seven of the bottom eight are former FL clubs. A stark warning really.
For everything the Pozzos have got wrong, I do think people should remember the club could well have joined that downward spiral if it weren't for the current owners coming into the club. Doesn't mean they're beyond criticism, but I don't call for them to get out of the club without knowing what the alternative could be.
Yes...exactly....... I think the biggest problem for the fans is the continual changing of head coach... maybe the mafiosi way.... if your lieutenant is not performing get rid of him
Has anyone listened to the latest podcast of "From the Rookery End" (What's wrong with Gino Pozzo's Watford?)? The presenters have been accused by some supporters of being club sycophants, but they raised some interesting questions (which had already crossed my mind). They suggested that Gino Pozzo may have alienated the players by a number of his decisions in recent years and they gave various examples relating to treatment of players (including some of which I was not aware). I wonder whether he lacks emotional intelligence if he does not foresee the possible consequences. Well worth a listen!
I do agree they probably don’t like to support the players or managers too much but then on occasions the latter has been sacked due to the squad being unsettled or not liking one. Could also say some have been been given generous contracts! Definitely is an element of stockpiling and player trading going on which cannot be good for some. Agree some fans do seem to feel others aren’t anti Pozzos enough and letting them get away with it a bit but guys on the podcasts do have to be careful as they are known to the club rather than faceless people behind a screen writing all sorts.
Precisely. What people should remember is that Gino is only human, and humans make mistakes - 'let he that is without sin' and all that. My beef with him is that he doesn't appear to learn from his - but maybe what I and others view as mistakes, he doesn't. Which is his right I suppose - he's the one taking all the financial risks.
It seems to me that Watford are not getting the quality players from Udinese any more, rather the ones that they don't think are good enough for their side. It was made known in the early days of the Pozzo regime that they regarded the EPL as the place with the money, more so than Italy, and they wanted us to be in that top division. Something has changed in the relationship, and I cannot quite see what or why. It is not so easy to move players into Watford unless they are internationals or high earners these days, but that doesn't explain things. Has Gino set himself aside from his father in wanting to find his own talent could be one explanation. My suspicion is that it has something to do with these shadowy figures in the background pulling things in different directions.
Ryan Porteous has been selected in the Scotland squad to face Cyprus and Spain this month. It's been a while - Anya was the last from memory.
