Match Day Thread Watford FC v Sunderland AFC - Saturday 28th September 2024 - KO 15:00

Putting it into perspective we've played 7 and sit 2nd in the league. I'd of taken that before we started. Need 6 points in our next 2 home games to keep it going.

 

I think this is the issue

 

I keep reading the only reason we lost was because of Neils stupid tackle. That is blatantly not true.

We also lost because we conceded another goal. We also lost because our tactics were poor first half. We also lost because we didnt score another chance. Last time I checked it was a team game. You win as a team and lose as a team. I know we are all annoyed at the game, we are much better than that. But one thing I can guarantee is the players wont be in that dressing room saying we only lost because of Neil. Nor will Regis. I also imagine Neil to be as disappointed as us. Just hope he is a tougher mentality and wants to put things right about his performance level, I am sure he will. Footballers generally make it to the elite level becausdle they have the elite mentality.

 

But if a strange reply. He is in control of his performances not me.

I don't think he is suited to it and said so pre season. Here we are now, a red and a game losing mistake with other stats well below what's expected.

 

Bit unlucky I thought

Played well 2nd half

Dan Neill set tp be pilloried over the road. Mind I wasn't happy with his stupid tackle

 

We allowed them a different kind of possession though, very few line breaking passes by Boro compared to today. He cuts off the passing lanes unlike any of our other forwards.

Mind Isidor is better at it than Rusyn.

 

I wouldn't use stats to back up arguments tho, they can easily be manipulated to fit an argument

You said his stats were shocking defensively last week, I checked them and they were actually pretty good for a CDM

I haven't seen today's game so can't comment on his performance but I would say he's been poor by his standards this season n I'm one of his biggest fans

It's not down to the position imo, it's just been down to a drop in performance

I said before boro that 7 points from the nxt 4 would be a cracking return so hopefully 4 points nxt week

 

Anyone can make a daft tackle but it's the lack of taking ability that annoyed me. Hesitant in the tackle and when he did make them he lost 4/5.

That's just not good enough.

 

Felt Isidor offered more threatening runs to Mayenda tho

 

I dont like the passive nature of our performances at times. Not my idea of footy I want to watch. I want to be more front foot. That said it is good to have a game plan where you can sit in and be ultra disciplined against some teams. It was perfect last week. Today was not a game for that as Watford needed to be attacked early, particularly from wide areas. Just my opinion but Regis got his tactics wrong today.

 

I don’t think he’ll make it to elite level myself. I think players who are going to get to that level would be head and shoulders above at this level by the age of 23, and Neil is nowhere near that. He’s a decent championship midfielder but he’s had a very poor start to the season and he’s cost us today. I said it all last season he looked poor when used as the 6 and that’s why Ekwah had to deputise more often than not. No matter how people sugar coat it using other player mistakes during the game, his was the one that led to the penalty which cost us a point ultimately. I lost count of how many times he lost the ball in midfield during the game.

 

Possibly, thought some of Isidors runs were poor though. Spent a lot of his time offside which isn't all his fault as the passes weren't coming. I'd start him against Derby which is a game which I think will suit him, Leeds i'd want Mayenda back in though.

 

My only negative is Dodds should be nowhere near the first team. If his advice is so good, how did we lose all those games?

 

Thought our second half performance was worthy of three points, I think taking off Isidore and Roberts was an error.

 

A very common sense post. However the knives are out for Neil, that is clear

 

Sorry but I said it on a post a few weeks back Neil is the weakest link in our midfield when he was suspended he was not missed .Jobe was better playing a deeper role with Browne and Rigg playing more advanced , sorry but Neil has not progressed as we expected perhaps a break from the captaincy and the team might do him good .

 

But to me, he offers more runs and better in the box movement from what I’ve seen. I still really like mayenda mind and his off the ball movement is great. But Isidor felt like a threatening striker to me like

 

Passing was good last week but again defensive actions not great. Today they were terrible.

 

Agreed. Roberts was destroying their left side, Poveda didn't do that.

 

Isn't it how we set up. I think today was like most of our games this season TBF. Especially out of possession. Difference is single mistakes or quality make the difference. (Rigg/Neil) Etc