Thank you for your comments. As you might realize most of us are proud of the improvements to our ground and the fact that we now have financial stability after some rocky times. Reading some of the comments on the Swansea board suggest that you were disappointed with your teams display. For us we are still coming to terms with being in the Premier league and sometimes do not know what to expect. After your great start to the season I was worried that you could take us apart, but it showed to me how far we have come with players who had not been together very long. Hope that both teams enjoy the season.
Yup, VB should have planted his left leg earlier and then we could debate his ruptured ligaments after the tackle whilst he's in a cast. Typical centre forwards tackle from Ayew.
A great day and an amazing atmosphere at the end with everyone knowing how important it was to hold on. That moment when they announce 7 minutes of added time!! On Behrami yes a red card but I don't think he meant to do it - he isn't looking for the stamp as he is watching the ball in my opinion - just that their legs end up in the same place with Ayew on the wrong side of it. Accept he may have form for bad tackles but this one I think was unintentional and I've watched it a few times.
They were very strong on their criticism on the incident on Final score saying he meant it and we were wrong to complain.
I´d take a red and 3 points any day of the week. Maybe not as bad as I thought seeing replays, but a deffo red, it wasn´t malicious but a very bad tackle. Mistimed and potentially career ending, previously I thought he meant it, but now I think not.
Great day and id like to add a big thank you to roy and all of 1881 . Even when times are bad they keep on going and that bring in the others from the EJS and GTS . The whole place was rocking ,clubs and there fans liked to come here as it was like a grave yard not any more COYH
Top man. Think I did mention our defensive improvements (even compared to the Championship last season) in a post on Friday. Good luck for the rest of the season.
Impressed with Watford yesterday. Pressing us hard is the way to cause us problems and you did that very well. I know it's annoying when fans of other teams say "we were poor" as it detracts from your own team's performance but bloody hell we were awful - possibly the worst performance under Monk - at least one of them. Kicking away possession is something we tend to avoid but everyone was doing it. Lethargic too - no focus, no energy. You'll cause a lot of teams problems this season. Good luck.
My take on the red card now I've seen it- Behrami was shaping to throw his body between Ayew and the ball, looking to plant his left foot and shield the ball. He then finds Ayew is coming through below the radar. I'm not sure whether he could have pulled out or taken evasive action, but it looks as though he decided 'what the stuff?' and put his foot down anyway. Could have been nasty, and no complaints really about the red, but as others have said, it might well have been him getting his ankle studded. In fact when Shearer said it could have been two reds my initial thought was that he meant that both players could have gone. But of course not.
I have read a number of comments about the atmosphere in the Vic yesterday. We have wondered from time to time on here would a new stand make a difference, or could the Rookery lead the whole ground into vocal encouragement. I think we see now that for whatever reason it can be a passionate place after all. https://jimmyarmchair.wordpress.com/2015/09/13/turning-up-the-volume/
What I liked about this performance was the way we pressed Swansea all over the pitch--really aggressive and at a high tempo. They never settled--seemed distinctly rattled in fact. Their best striker was dealt with very well by our centre-backs. If we play like this every week we need fear no-one. It is hard to maintain such a tempo for 90 minutes , and we did seem to take a rest in the second part of part of the first half--Shelvey was allowed to play some good passes to his right wing , which might have proved costly. Anya also tried to be too clever in this period, and nearly gave away a stupid goal. As for the red card, from my position in the UGT, almost above the incident, I thought at first that the Swansea player was going off. But the replay shows Behrami was culpable of dangerous play; a pity he will not be available for a few games--he seems integral to our style of play. Our coach makes a very good impression in interviews; he is a cultured and intelligent fellow, deeply experienced in the game , thoughtful and a good man-manager He is getting it all together . No reservations about him at all.
That's a hell of a kick from Gomes. Had to miss yesterday's match as I am currently in Sydney, Australia. Mrs Bloother took my place with Mini Bloother and said she doesn't know how we can take the stress week in, week out. She's got a point...
Two quotes from Chris Kamara: “I don’t think Watford will be appealing against the red card! It was a bit naughty.” “Garry Monk will be doing his nut. Long ball, direct football is still allowed. But how can a goalkeeper punt the ball from his own penalty area and a centre-forward heads it without having to jump in the other penalty area. He (Deeney) doesn’t even have to jump.” Firstly Valon Behrami, I don't think it was intentional on his part. I have to agree what he did doesn't look good but I think had the Swansea player started his move slightly earlier or later we would not be discussing this at all, this is of course not in any way excusing Valon for treading on his opponent. However, in this case I am of the opinion that stamp is the wrong word as it is a strong term and implys an intent, which I don't think there is. His foot is in the air and at some stage it must come down, unluckily for Valon it came down where it did. Secondly does Chris Kamara want different styles of play outlawed? Just because Watford found a way around Swansea's defence there is no reason to imply that move should be probited. So route one, direct, hoofball is not particularly pretty but all teams will do something similar once in a while. If it works good for them, if it doesn't so what, I just hope it doesn't cloud the debate as to how Watford play, the team played for years after Aidy Boothroyd with the hoofball tag and couldn't shake it off. One goal scored that way and we could be harshly labelled again.
Well Cathcart and Prodl do play the odd long ball but of course we play as Flores wants us to. Infact it was quite a surprise to see Gomes go for the long kick up the pitch and it worked!
Not at all, for the vast majority of the game we built from the back. But sometimes if the Gomes has no roll out option or the defender is closed down, it can be the only choice. All teams sometimes go for it.
