Hi all, I was at the game this afternoon, and it was one of the most bizarre games of football I have seen for some time. We took the lead early on and for the first 5 minutes we had our crisp passing game going. But then fair play to Bournemouth, until about 5 minutes in the second half they clearly the better team. We didn't play particularly bad, they just dominated the midfield battle and some of their passing was excellent. When we had possession their defence was very well organised and we seemed to be lacking ideas on how to break them down. Grabban was a menace in the penalty area, and Bournemouth, like Birmingham last week, targeted the channel between Cassetti and Anya with through-balls for a forward to run on to. It was one such ball that led to a cross from which Grabban scored from. If anything, they deserved to be ahead at half time. And then I have literally no idea what happened. Suddenly we started dominating the midfield and our first touch passing was on point. Bournemouth appeared to get tired very quickly and the game became stretched. This shows in the third and fourth goals, where we had time to produce through-balls through their defence for Deeney and McGugan to run on to finish. Anya, having not had a clear run for most of the game, then found space and started to terrorise the Bournemouth right back with his acceleration and some lovely skill. At 4-1, Pudil was brought on, Anya switched sides and the game almost became a friendly in terms of the tempo before Deeney's late show. Who stood out for me? As at St. Andrews last week, it was Angella. We're only two games into the season, but he really provides something that we missed last season. He's perfect to anchor a three-man defence in the middle. He's tall, good in the air, not afraid to get physical, postionally very good, and very calm when on the ball. We tried a number of players in that role last season, with the likes of Ekstrand, Hall and Nosworthy springing to mind, and whilst they were all good they didn't produce all of these qualities together like the Italian does. Still early days however. Iriney also stood out for me last week and he again anchored the midfield well, and when Anya got into a bit of space he was incredibly dangerous and capable of creating something. All of Deeney's goals were fine finishes, and he worked hard throughout the game so deserves a mention. AND FINALLY SOMEONE SCORED A HAT-TRICK FOR WATFORD!!! I can't see him leaving before the transfer window shuts but wouldn't be surprised if a couple of Premier League teams start being associated with him. In terms of the 1881 movement's debut, I was sitting in the Lower Rous (Im normally in the Rookery!) and I would say whilst the enthusiasm to produce a singing section is brilliant, there is some work to do. It started off quite well, and I really want it to work, but Im being honest in saying that Harry the Hornet with a drum produced more atmosphere in the Family Stand then the 1881 movement managed until we moved 5-1 ahead. Its a bit embarrassing, if maybe promising for the future, when our most vocal fans are young children! I thought the 1881 section was going to be a standing section, maybe that would help improve the atmosphere? Its early days, and it worked in parts, so Im still hopeful that it can help create a better atmosphere at Vicarage Road. I understand there's only so much they can do! Despite that, great win COYH!
Good piece Emiatss. It was was a strange match and Bournemouth were definitely worth at least a draw at half time, but I think our class showed in the end. I thought Ireney was excellent: strong in winning the ball and then keeping it simple with his distribution. Agree about Angella (or Angela as Sky call him). Thought he was class at Stevenage and haven't changed my mind. Only low point for me was a disappointing performance from FF.
Cheers for the feedback Emiatss. Im one of the drummers for the 1881 and I fully accept that there were times when we were a bit quiet, but as we become accustomed to each other. There are only two drummers trying to conduct nearly 500 fans and keep things interesting. We think it was a reasonable start, and we will improve.
Saw you down the front Dan, banging your drum. Early days, overall I thought the atmosphere was good. We just go quiet when it gets a tense.
Thanks for that, it is good to know that what I heard is supported with what you saw. It was noticed that Bournemouth tired badly second half, but I think that Zola stated last season that our style of play will have that effect because of the amount of chasing opposition teams will have to do. The 1881 movement came over quite loudly, but then we do not know where the mics had been set up. Several people I know said the same thing, but those in the ground said that they didn't notice them. I hope that they keep trying, but then they are going against the age old tradition at Watford.
I too was in the Lower Rous and was exasperated by our first half display after they scored and Bournemouth should have been in front and deservedly so The second half started as the first half ended and I did not know where the game was going other than a home defeat then it just seem to click. Fair play to Bournemouth they only gave up after our 4th goal went in, I thought Mcgugan was outstanding especially covering back from midfield and he totally deserved his goal. To say the result flattered us is an understatement! I too felt for Bournemouth and their excellent vocal support which is more than can be said for our so called 'singing area' more like a bloody morgue Something needs to be done to get our singing area 'singing' but what I know not
The sense that I got from here, was that Bournemouth were playing high-tempo football in the first half. Despite everything suggesting that they were the better team at half-time I wondered if they would be able to maintain their effort in the final 45 minutes. I am beginning to understand what GZ means about match fitness. Teams won't be used to the levels of energy we put into games. Opposing managers will have some interesting decisions to make: do they let Watford play and try to grind out a result like Birmingham; or do they attempt to match up to Watford, as Bournemouth did, and risk capitulation in the second half. Of course, I may be completely wrong. I don't have a particularly good view from here - something to do with the curvature of the Earth.
I hope the Bournemouth fans don't give their team a hard time over the result as actually they played well for 55 minutes but we were very clinical when it matter and maybe lucky in the first half which all teams do need in a game. The singing was good but as usual did go quiet but then it usually does at most grounds when the team is under pressure etc. You cannot force people to start chanting if they don't want to do but well worth the effort. I thought we lost a bit of shape in midfield at times but Angella was excellent throughout and Anya really came into the game well whilst Deeney naturally showed his goal scoring quality. Nice to see McGugan score as well.
Hi Dan, love what you lot are doing, not your fault when it goes a bit quiet! Only so much you can do with a couple of drums. Keep persisting, even when the detractors come out with comments. In parts it was definitely better then is normally expected at the Vic over the past few years. Holmesdale at Palace have been going for years so its early days for the 1881 movement!
Thanks mate. We are going to keep at it and give our all to make this work. The problem is that naturally we all get a bit of a shock when we concede so it goes flat. I need to get over that feeling and get back to the drum asap.
I think its a little short sighted to suggest it was purely due to Bournemouth running out of steam, although I don't deny it was a factor. We clearly came out in the second half and played a much higher pressure game which put the Bournemouth passing game under pressure and allowed the difference in quality while in possession to show. Like the team the 1881's started and ended well but the key thing is that when it all goes flat and we concede a goal is precisely when we need a dedicated base to raise the tempo, it's easy to get people making noise when your 4-1 (or more) ahead. Unfortunately from the moment we conceded to the moment we retook the lead there was the usual awkward silence. Work in progress but stick at it.
I think the whole thing about making noise is it needs to be sustained... through thick or thin.... and of course most needed when we are not doing so well.... I can think of great games in the old days when we chanted EJTMA throughout... it was spooky.. but just made everyone believe we could turn it on at any time and the players loved it. I think the job of the drummer and the core few is to keep the beat going all the time if you can... Well done though and keep it going
Bournemouth definately set themselves up well and had the midfield under control for most of first half. They played like a team who had had such a fantastic run of results, they had belief in what they were doing and caused us a great amount of problems. The result i agree could have been very different had second half played out like the first half, several factors as mentioned combined to change the game including the injury to their midfielder as we scored second goal, their shape then changed some what. As for the 1881 debut, a good start but agree fully with Yorkshire in that when things are not going well its when 1881 need to be at its most vocal, Dan if your in contact with organisers please relay this message, for if there is to be a point in 1881 it has to have an impact. Very early days and a big thanks to all in 1881 for giving it a go.
I shall pass on the praise and the ideas for improvement. As the drummer I take you point, and fully understand what you mean. I think the issue was that when they equalised I had the wind taken out of me and it took some time to recover. But I am going to work on that and come up with some 'beats' to bounce back. Thats an idea there Yorkie, something like "Gianfranco's Pozzo made army" over and over! Cheers.
yes you need a continual ( well almost) steady beat....... and with songs interspersed Yes ......Go go go
Well done to Dan and 1881 a steady start , out of small acorns ....... brings tears to my eyes lol from another that remembers the EJTMA chant going all the way through (especially at Anfield). Really cant wait for my next trip over that wont be this year
That will indeed take some beating, followed closely by Sunderland 1980... a 5-0 drubbing (I think they went up as champions that year) and a John Ward 'goal' disallowed. A sterling effort by all concerned - still in the ground singing a full half hour after the match with GT trying to do a MotD interview pitchside.... quality!
