WATFORD v SUNDERLAND. After Sunderland´s win against Everton secured their Premiership status , relegating Norwich and Newcastle in the process, this game is only an end of season fixture. There is nothing but points and pride at stake for the Black Cats. However, points, pride and a better position in the table are up for grabs for the Hornets. Watford could finish as high as 11th or as low as 16th depending on results in other fixtures. (This info also depends on my maths mind) Deeney is eager to finish on a high. But given some of the teams´ recent performances some fans might feel that what should be a end of season celebration game might turn into another tepid loss. Also, according to rumours, this could be QSF´s last game in charge of Watford. He deserves a good send off , even if he does end up staying into a second season. He is the first Watford manager to keep us in the Prem and despite some shortcomings , especially in team selection , overall he has done well in his first full season in English football. COMMENTS WELCOME - ENJOY THE GAME - ¡¡COYHCOYHCOYH!!
Thanks Mex, a stirling job done by you and everyone who has done match threads this season, thanks so much! I have Mackem friends coming to stay with me this weekend, thankfully they will be leaving straight after the game! Not because i want them to go, just because i don't think i can take the humiliation lol. I don't think they will rub too much salt in the wound when they win (did i say when?) though, but i couldn't blame them if they did! We have had a horrible few months, and Sunderland are on a high, so i can imagine which team will be more up for it. Deeney is doing his best, but he can't play against 11 on his own! I just hope, for the last game, the team shows some kind of spirit. I don't expect to see any much needed changes in the first 11, i think we know by now that whatever changes are necessary won't be happening while Flores is still around. We can only limp towards the last game of the season in the hope that by the beginning of next season we have an eager manager who has learned the ropes quickly and a team that is willing to fight, because they will have to, bearing in mind that a team that finishes a season poorly will usually start the next season in the same vane. So, now that i've been completely negative, which i've been reduced to coz it's not my usual way...on a positive note, there's nothing to lose, so we will probably play with gay abandon and smash 'em 5-1! lol...though i think 3-1 is more realistic . Enjoy the game everyone, as someone posted on FB the other day...since Christmas this has felt like a chore, rather than a hobby...but i'm going to miss it in the summer...roll on the friendlies! COYH!!!
Ever the optimist, I'm going for a repeat of 1982, with Troy going two better than Luther to bring up his fourth successive 20 goal season...
Many thanks Mex and all the others for this seasons threads - excellent work and it's much appreciated. I am really not looking forward to this and was considering giving it a swerve and staying at home, but I will drag my miserable arse down there and then forget about football (apart from the England game against the Sheep Fiddlers and the fixture list) until early August. I see we have a friendly against The Steptoes at the end of July, I will miss it as I will be sunning myself on a very hot beach in the Caribbean. I am going for a 2-1 Watford win with the players putting in some effort as a thanks to Flores.
Just seen the press conference with QSF. Such a humble and honourable man in football you probably won't see again. Great that we (and he) have the opportunity to say thank you and goodbye on Sunday.
thanks for all the threads everyone. we usually beat the teams below us, be nice to end on a well played win.
Looks like Sunderland will field a weaken side so great chance to go out with a flourish... 0-0 then.
I would like to have seen the QSF team play so I can see why people were happy before and unhappy after Christmas.
i would imagine now the team will either do their best because they like Flores, or play like they have been because they're glad to see the back of him...sunday will tell us a lot!
Or that they are depressed he's going! I honestly don't know what to expect; I'm hoping it's more Liverpool than Huddersfield if you know what I mean. I genuinely think the players will want to finish on a high and send Quique away with a smile and a thank you from everyone.
I hope he gets a decent send off, he deserves one for keeping Watford up. I wonder who will come in, is it better the devil you know?
I have a connection with Sunderland as my maternal grandfather was born there and as a youngster he used to watch them at Roker. When he moved to Hemel after WWII, he came to the Vic a few times in the 50s to watch the Blues. A high-scoring draw may be a possibility if the shackles are taken off.
The spectre of Huddersfield looms large. That was my late father's last match and I don't think viewer been so disappointed in a team performance. I expect the players to be up for it. Quique deserves that much from them, and a rousing and appreciative send off from the fans.
He may not appreciate that though, as, to be up for it, they may have to ignore his tactics and play the way that they know they can...
I hear rumours that the displays are going to be good today, in all stands. the SEJ have been asked to arrive 15 mins early.
Back from my hols and just off to the train station...... COYH! please log in to view this image (from Watford Steve)
Sunderland have now finished the last 4 seasons on good form in order to escape relegation but then started the following season really badly. All the signs are that Big Sam will play quite a few of our U21s today as this game means nothing in terms or league position and most of our squad will be recovering from massive hangovers after Wednesday night. How do you think the Watford team will react to Flores departing? Good luck for next season but none of that 8-0 stuff today please
