With Matej not currently firing on all cylinders, and the observations that he is being double marked, it got me wondering whether the Deeney/Vydra combination has been somewhat nullified. Could there be any benefit in swapping Deeney with Geijo for the Burnley game. Deeney could be tried in the wing back role or even as an impact sub'. We could even try FF as the other wing back, imagine TD and FF bombing on from deep, it could well give Matej the room he needs to operate in. Just some idle thoughts, be interested to hear other opinions. Don't be too harsh though!
I think FF can offer something..... we need to take the game much more to the opposition.... and FF does offer another route....
I think a lot also depends on who we play. You'll find a lot of teams in the lower half will play firstly to nullify the oppositions attack, and then look to counter, taking advantage of any attack (particularly set-pices) when the opportunity comes up. This generally means they will just sit deep, let us have the ball in our own half, but once we move forward, close us down fast. This means someone like Vydra cannot play off the last man, into the space behind, using his speed. I think maybe GZ needs to rethink the tactics when we come up against some of these teams as they have now fugured out how to play him and Watford in general. Maybe we need a Deeney/Geijo to lead the line, with someone like FF sitting just behind. Or maybe while Abdi is out, play a front two of TD and MV, with FF just behind. I don;t think Cassetti can be dropped when fit, but would say the LWB is up for grabs. If Anya was naturally left-sided, would say he is first choice there, but prefer a left-footer to play that role. Will be interesting to see what Briggs is like in that role once we have a full complement of CB's
I think the problem lies not so much with the Deeney/Vydra combo as with the current inconsistency of the midfield. TD is getting too isolated and Vydra needs accurate well-timed passes to exploit the skills he has. Abdi and Chalobah can deliver these better than others. When they're tired or not selected we struggle.
Deeney was no good when Malky and Dyche played him on the wing, I think he'd be even worse as a wing-back. He's a striker, square pegs in round holes and all that! You need to be able to defend to play as a wing-back, it's not just about being quick, so FF would be no good in that position either. The thing with Fernando is that he's not an out and out striker and he's not a winger either, he's a forward. Trying to accommodate him in a 5-3-2 is hard/tricky. In a 4-3-3 with two wide forwards I think Fernando would do well, score more goals and he'd probably find himself starting almost every game if we played that formation. Because Deeney hasn't scored in ages I do think Geijo should start the next 2 games. our big away wins at Leeds and Sheff Wed, Geijo started alongside Vydra in those games. Yeah, he doesn't work as hard as Troy does and no he's not as physical as Troy either, but Geijo holds the ball up well, has a decent touch and can also set up chances too (plus he's taller than Troy).
I presume you dont rate Pudil then??? Me, Im not sure If I do or dont rate Pudil. He's given away 4 penalty's this season, which is obviously a cause for concern, but he's a decent enough Wing-Back and more Importantly he's naturally left footed. On Anya, I dont mind him playing Wing Back UNLESS we are playing a side with quality wingers. When we come up against sides like Palace (Zaha), Blackpool (Ince), Bristol City (Adomah lol) and Cardiff (Noone/Conway) then I dont want him in the side (IF we are playing 5-3-2 that is) I agree with you that Cassetti should always play if he's fit. He's consistent, he can defend and he's our most experienced player.
I am undecided on Pudil. I think he's better than the majority of what we have had for a very long time, but I also think he gets found out maybe a little too often. I think Cassetti maybe has it a little easier at RWB because he often has Doyley behind him, who is experienced at the right back role, so is comfortable covering if Cassetti is out of position. Whereas anyone of the left hand side of the back 3 is not quite so comfortable covering LB when Pudil is forward, so that area of the pitch becomes a bit more exposed. It might be interesting to see Briggs play the LCB role behind Pudil at LWB. Maybe Pudil won;t have to bust a gut quite so much to get back, where little mistakes can happen. I don't get to see all the games... just trying to go by what I have seen.
Pudil Briggs Anya Dickinson It's quite weird/strange to actually have different/genuine options for the LB/LWB position isn't it!! Yet it's still a problem position for us (like it is every single season at WFC!!)
