A win's a win, but to answer your question french I'd guess they were poor. I have no basis for saying this other than the number of chances Jon Marks commentated on, but by the sounds of it we lacked composure up front. Their defence was woeful by all accounts from both sides, yet if you ignore James' calamity we only scored one.
I like games where we start fast. The opponents have to play chase and this makes for a good game. We are normally not so good at chasing.
i still think you'll be okay It is amazing how badly some cope, and yes, including BBC reporters. And then, there are those that are outstanding, and you can see why they got the job! That sounds like a better summation than i'd expect! i predicted 12th at the beginning of the season, i admit, i was a bit worried after a while, but i'm confident of my prediction I think once we go ahead, we close things down. We don't seem to go for big wins, we're happy to not let the other side play. Is this good? Probably not, but it's effective at the moment. Agreed.
Good points there Mitch, next season could really be a season where Dale Bennett or Adam Thompson really push on and establish themselves in the first team. However, they are up against really experienced competition in Taylor and Nosworthy, so will need to have a good pre-season to impress Dyche. Yes, play-offs are a very long shot. But, there is always that one team that emerges out of nowhere and really challenges for the top 6. Could it be us?
Im not sure how Dyche will see it (quite hard to predict what Sean will do) but for me I like to see two completely different type of centre halfs playing alongside each other. One who has composure and is comfortable on the ball, the other being big, tall, strong and commanding. Throughout the spine of the team it's all about players who complement each other, and although they did a job tonight, I just dont think Nos and Tiny complement one another, I think they are too similar TBH. Also, at Dale's age he will be wanting/needing regular first team football next season, so if he's told he's only going to be a squad player then I feel he might hand in a transfer request as he's already been very patient. This would be a great shame for me as I believe he has a very bright career ahead of him and is a decent player. Basically, I dont like the thought of having two giants at centre half. One tidy footballer with pace and one experienced giant, that'd be much better IMO So if Mapps leaves (Im expecting him to TBH) then Im hoping it will be Bennett and Tiny as the first choice pairing with Nos and Mirfin as back-up.
I watched Dale in his first game for Watford and said publicly that I thought that he had the makings of a good pro. Yes he has had a few games that he would rather forget, but I guess most players can say that. The only thing that I think he may be lacking is a few inches in height, but for the Championship I don't think it is quite so importent.
Dan, 3CR disappeared for large chunks after the game...glad they left it til after the game! lol...so i have no idea if your text was read out or not. I don't necessarily agree though, by all accounts we didn't play that well tonight, BC were worse, that's all. But..what we do do, is close down when we're in the lead...it's a worrying trend, i'd rather we kept attacking, but if it's effective, i suppose i can live with it...
Dale is 6ft"0 So he is taller than Mapps, DeMerit, Page etc who have all made lots of appearances for WFC as centre halfs.
i'm not sure it's his height, when he first started, it was more his body strength. I'm looking forward to seeing him more and more, he's obviously talented..
All players have weaknesses at the end of the day. Id say Dale's main one is his indecisiveness, sometimes he panics a bit and gets caught in two frames of mind (Leicester away 09/10 and Burnley @ home last season) but that will fade away with a good run of consecutive games. What I do like about him though is that he is quick, mobile, athletic, robust, decent in the air, decent in the tackle and plays with enthusiasm. He supposedly did quite well on loan at Brentford this season didn't he??
During commentary tonight it was said that Danny Graham was sat with the Watford fans. If that is right surely it shows that there is something special about our club.
Dale is a good centre half and I think has been very unlucky and underated . Adam Thompson is one I would like to see have a few games as well! Both these guys are pacy and skilful(for defenders)! Sean has done a brilliant job with limited resources ,although it has hardly been eye candy watching our games this season , next season it would be lovely if we could build towards a side that has the steel and grit of this season allied to more flair and creativity and pace . Sean thats the even tougher ask for next season because you have to change or you will be found out.( like a certain Mr Boothroyd)
100% agree with all of that. Dyche is going about things in the correct manner in the correct order - firstly to get the players as fit as possible, then to make us difficult to beat and as solid as possible, then to add competition for each place in the team, not afraid of changing the team after a poor display etc etc all things that Dyche has implemented this season and credit to him for doing all these things whilst motivating the players every week. In the summer though, he has got some very tough decisions to make. He is going to have to figure out which young players are not good enough or will never be ready for Championship football and get them sold (Im thinking about players like Bryan and Mingoia here). Then, the ones who he does rate and who he does think are ready for first team Championship football, he needs to give them (or as many of them as possible) a good run of games. That in itself will be difficult for him as we no longer have a small squad and he will want a certain amount of experience in the side (as any manager would). With regards to style of play and entertainment I think that will be effected by a few things. It will depend on who plays in defence, what type of new strikers he brings in and how many younger players become first team regulars. If the likes of Dicko, Lloyd, Nos and Tiny always start every game then it's inevitable that there will be lots of long balls. If Iwelumo is still here come 1st September and/or if Dyche brings in a new experienced target man, then again, there is bound to be even more long balls being played. Hopefully, Hodson and Bennett are regular starters in the back 4 next season and that a new small pacey striker gets signed (Id love Steven Dobbie from Swansea) to partner Deeney.
One thing to remember I think Dale last year had a dodgy knee or ankle, he did tell me ,but I cant remember which , hopefully thats all cleared up and he can step next season!
