One of the best observed minutes silences I've witnessed. Football is of little consequence when you consider recent events. I thought the atmosphere lingered on into the game. I am in the family stand but stadium seemed quiet until we managed to start chasing the game at 11 v 9. Watford were well organised and worked well on the break, possibly giving Marshall more important saves to make than Almunia. I was frustrated along with everybody else for most of the game but in particular at how poor our crossing was. We seemed to be going for a deep cross and a nod back at every opportunity, corners, free kicks and open play, regardless of whether or not we had players in position to provide the nod back! Also scared witless once we had the lead as it appeared that we had swapped numbers and we had less players on the pitch as everybody retreated into our area. Amazing how the whole mentality of both sets of players changed with that 2nd goal of ours. I have to say I thought Watford coped admirably with the loss of players. The 2 guys up front still managed to cause a few problems and held the ball up and ran the channels as well as anyone could have expected in the circumstances.
Watford were a neat side, and looked ok. However if our crossing was a little more accurate we would have won this game easily, i thought Noone looked very lightweight at times and didnt have the best of games, especially with the late miss. A draw would have been a fair result however i will take the 3 points. we really do need to stop giving soft goals away. Watford obviously did their homework as the few corners they had were all placed in the same spot, and with accuracy. Smith was out best player by far and i hope his injury isnt to bad. We arent creating enough in the box imo, and why o why isnt Velonika and Kim bo getting any kind of look in, there has to be a reason, and if Bellers misses a few games surely MM must have a plan B which includes both the players i have mentioned. We will have to be right on top of our game against Burnley, i think we will win that one as their defence is also quite leaky.
ronny - Burnley do let in a lot of goals but they've got Charlie Austin doing the business like Lambert did for Soton last season. He'll be a real threat and we'll need a class performance from Huds/Turner/Connolly to shut him out. To quote Malky after the Forest defeat "on another day it could have been different" - only this time it went for us. You can't have it both ways. If Malky reckons we could have won at Forest with a bit of luck, we could just as easily have lost last night. Still, winning games like that makes me more convinced this is our year. Watford troubled us throughout the game and were unlucky to go away empty handed. On the player front, Marshall played as well as anyone and Gestede looks laboured. Our keeper could win us this league but upfront we need some serious options. We looked to have a plethora of riches in that department at the start of the season, particularly with Maynard, but now it seems to be lacking punch. January window action could cement a Prem spot next year.
Looks like Tommy picked up a nasty knee injury but at least he could walk off so hopefully not too bad although may be out for 2/3 weeks. As for Bellers, he didn't look 100% to me anyway, certainly not match sharp. As Hilts said, if Bellers not fit for Saturday then Cowie can't play right wing. He did well in the centre making good tackles but he has little confidence on the ball having to take it, stop and then look up to see what's on allowing the opposition time to cover. Could be time for Kimbo's full debut Saturday if Bellers is out. At least we have some options now. Back to Cowie, we all think he's slow but when their little nippy sub came on up front (we should have grown the grass longer to slow him down) who was it who stayed with him all the way on his 50 yard run down the left? Cowie!!! Perhaps he's just slow with the ball at his feet. Mind you it comes to something when the fans' MOM is Gunnar, the sub who was only on the field for 10 minutes but thankfully notched the winner. Jerome would be a good shout now particularly if Tommy is out for longer than 2/3 games. Could be a good call for a season long loan anyway.
yes, i was baffled as to why gestede was given another contract, other than nuisance value he isnt worthy of a place on the bench, let alone XI..... jerome wouldnt come cheap, on loan he could be an inspired signing, but there would be 10 other clubs thinking the same thing.... i think cowie has found his position to be honest, he did well yesterday and although he wont start ahead of mutch when he returns.....
Good point Swamp, if Mutch is fit, and match fit not just about fit (as Burnley are not known for their subtlety in challenges), then he should come in and maybe we go 4 4 2. But if not fit and neither are Bellers and Tommy then Kimbo must be given his chance somewhere in the formation. We paid a lot of dosh for him so lets see what he can do.
Wasn't Smith holding his hamstring? I thought we dominated possession, they sat in and had pace on the break. They defended their box brilliantly and some decent crosses were made to look poor by very aggressive (in a good way) defending. When a team is well organissed and set up well and you give them a sloppy set piece goal early it's always going to be a long night. We kept going again and got a late winner again! We wont smash everyone 3 or 4 nil at the CCS. 6 from 6 is probably about as good as anyone on here could ask for. As for the Gunnar sub, I was cursing us not bringing on another winger for Smith but that's why me and Lateboy watch football and MM is a top rated manager.....
Could have been his hammy Steve but the physio was doing knee bend and stretch exercises with him which looked like they were testing movement possibilities in his knee. On the positive side, if his hammy then should be no more than 2/3 weeks out unless a severe tear.
