Match Day Thread Watford vs Southampton Saturday 30th August 15:00

I agree with others that we are still a bit soft in the middle and don’t tend to control the game for extended periods, but I think we are more vulnerable to the ball over and/or through the defence, as shown by the move that led to the Wrexham penalty, the long throw by the Stoke keeper and the ball inside Manning yesterday for Watford’s first.
The lack of serious pace in our back line is also a concern for me as it will always give the opponent that get out ball that could turn into a goal.
Reference the Irankunda free kick, those pointing a finger at Bazunu need to give their heads a wobble.
This guy is a free kick specialist, despite only being 19.
He scored a free kick at Swansea, last week, in the opposite corner, giving the keeper zero chance and he also scored one for Bayern Munich, aged 17, in the same top corner as yesterday, albeit in the A league I believe.

https://youtube.com/shorts/dZZou2_5oxY?si=qBhksuKih3YD8amp

https://youtube.com/shorts/dJhEwnfK-_E?si=XchqQzWD7V0vxDJ6

 

I'm going mate. I'll bring atmosphere minus cocaine with me

 

Me too

 

We have Quarshie for pace. I would really like for him to make one of the defensive places his own.

 

.

i actually forgot we didn’t lose…

 

Is there a reason neither he nor Fellows have been called up to the U21s? You can be over 21 and still play can’t you?

 

Have to be 21 or under at the start of a qualifying round. Which I assume as he is now 22, and a new qualifying round has begun (?) ... just guessing though

 

You’re right , I’m sure you used to be able to play some 23yos, got someone in mind but can’t remember his name
Thought I saw him play for u21s at StMarys when he was 23

 

Why did Manning end up on the deck for their goal? Highlights didn’t show that

 

I suppose that could technically be the case if you're 21 at the start of the qualifying period; they last 2 years

 

It was Milner!
Reminded me as he scored in Brightons win over Citeh today
He’s 39 and still playing in the EPL!
Amazing

 

He slipped over.

 

Early days still of course, and hopefully now when the window is shut and we have better options things might start to change, but been pretty unimpressed with Stills team/formation selections and changes in game so far.

Knowing that Jander wasn't going to feature, regardless of not knowing Downes was going to drop out last moment, why did we let Sesay play in the U21s the night before when it left us with no CM options on the bench, especially when you are already starting 3 CBs? Is there any need to have 2/3 CBs on the bench over that midfield option. Shot ourselves in the foot needlessly there, but even then, you could say he doesn't think Sesay is ready to start. Fair enough but he'd be better then playing 18 year old Robinson out of position surely? And okay if not Sesay because he wasn't an option on the day. Robinson would still be way way down the list of players you play there. Surely playing Edwards alongside Charles would have been better, if not from the start, when Watford were clearly getting the better of things in the second half.

I also don't get the insistence on having continued to play a back 5 in all these games other then to push for the signings he wanted. We have had players that would have been fine in a 4132 or 4231. Certainly no worse than the players we have trying to play a 5213 or whatever it's been. Our CBs do not suit 5 at the back. Mads also looks more like a RB to me then a RWB.

And finally, his in game management hasn't been good imo. He was way too slow to react to the Watford changes and the way that obviously changed the game. And his 'tactics' of getting back into games so far has been just throw all the strikers on and hope something comes off. He does get a bit of a pass on this one because we haven't had any other attacking options. But even so it does promote the idea of panic attacking, and ends up with strikers either playing out of position or getting in each others way.

As I say, so far unimpressed, but will give him time with the window shut and a better selection of players.

 

Yeah, I haven't seen much evidence of the tactical wunderkind so far but it is early days. Like you, I have been waiting for the extra CB to be replaced with a more attacking player. We are still conceding goals anyway and presumably the original intention was for Downes to partner Charles again, neither are good enough moving forward and are natural DMs.
We have the new signings and hopefully the system will change to accommodate them after working at Staplewood during the 2 week break.

 

QUOTE Why did Manning end up on the deck for their goal? Highlights didn’t show that

I think there was a subtle tug, but it isn't clear and obvious on the replays, VAR may have spotted it but that's hypothetical in this case.

 

We all need a subtle tug now and then

 

That's OK if you can pull it off...