How important is Almunia

[Leo]

I am not about to have a go at Jonathan Bond who is an excellent young keeper. Yet since losing Alumunia we have one win (just), one draw and two defeats against teams that promotion chasing sides HAVE to beat - in fact the four games have all been against relegation haunted teams.

Experience counts for so much and in Almunia we have that - a calmer steadying influence which can set the pattern of play. I really hope that the international break will give Almunia time to get back to fitness and into the side. We need him for the final 8 games

 

[Bolton's Boots]

After the last two performances without him, I'd be more inclined to ask "How good is Abdi?" - from listening to the commentaries on HP, I think it has been more a case of something missing from the midfield than anywhere else. Excepting Vydra's form dip of course.

 

[Oldsparkey]

How important is Almunia

A bit less than copper, but far more than zinc.

 

[Leo]

Hmmm - seems like the cocky redbirds can't get enough debate on their own board. Interesting to see they have already been installed as favourites for relegation next year

BB agree that Abdi is very important but the goalkeeper position is fundamental to the team - confidence there inspires everything ahead of him. Four games and four points suggests we are missing him a lot

 

[Oldsparkey]

Hmmm - seems like the cocky redbirds can't get enough debate on their own board. Interesting to see they have already been installed as favourites for relegation next year

Why do you have to be so defensive Leo? You'd be a suitable case for Freud, but seem to lack the sexual undertones necessary........

It's nice to be considered as relegation candidates from the Prem next year, even if it only suggests that we'll be there playing in it.

If you can get your head around it for a minute, I'd bet you'd take the same "accolade" right now wouldn't you?

 

[Bolton's Boots]

If you can get your head around it for a minute, I'd bet you'd take the same "accolade" right now wouldn't you?

Can't answer for Leo, but personally I have reservations about it. The EPL is not kind to small fish such as us, as we have found out to our cost twice in eight years. I hate to think what would happen the next time we play the yo-yo club game - may not recover at all. I'm quite happy being a largish fish in a smaller pond and it wouldn't unduly worry me if we stayed where we are.

 

[Oldsparkey]

BTW, it's not the EPL.

 

[Bolton's Boots]

BTW, it's not the EPL.

True - it's fast becoming the E&TCFMDPL

 

[Leo]

Why do you have to be so defensive Leo? You'd be a suitable case for Freud, but seem to lack the sexual undertones necessary........

It's nice to be considered as relegation candidates from the Prem next year, even if it only suggests that we'll be there playing in it.

If you can get your head around it for a minute, I'd bet you'd take the same "accolade" right now wouldn't you?

Sorry was trying to be offensive rather than defensive - but at least I keep my comments directed at your team and not personal abuse - you know nothing about me and have no right to be so rude. Bit touchy on the redbirds though are we - defensive even?

and yes it is an accolade - it shows your promotion is completely factored into their thinking and also yes I would be happy if a bookie went as far as thinking we would be promoted.

 

[Oldsparkey]

Sorry was trying to be offensive rather than defensive - but at least I keep my comments directed at your team and not personal abuse - you know nothing about me and have no right to be so rude. Bit touchy on the redbirds though are we - defensive even?

My my Leo, you are in a bit of a tizz if you think my comment was some sort of personal abuse. You're right, I know nothing about you, but your reaction to my "joke" comment about you being a suitable case for Freud clearly tells us a lot.

I don't get involved in arguments on other boards for the sake of it, just preferring to have a laugh with posters from other clubs. Though I will stand my ground and support my club when the vicious wums come calling - and they do from time to time.

You are taking this all far too seriously, and if I might be as bold as to suggest - lighten up you miserable ****er.

 

[Leo]

My my Leo, you are in a bit of a tizz if you think my comment was some sort of personal abuse. You're right, I know nothing about you, but your reaction to my "joke" comment about you being a suitable case for Freud clearly tells us a lot.

I don't get involved in arguments on other boards for the sake of it, just preferring to have a laugh with posters from other clubs. Though I will stand my ground and support my club when the vicious wums come calling - and they do from time to time.

You are taking this all far too seriously, and if I might be as bold as to suggest - lighten up you miserable ****er.

OK then hear this - my wife is suffering from terminal cancer as Watford posters here know - if you think that does not make me totally depressed a lot of the time then you are lacking any human empathy - so sometimes those feelings do probably spillover into how I react - especially when someone who knows nothing about me starts making comments about how I might or might not feel. Perhaps if you leave your comments to football and teams you might not put your size 14 feet in it - OK?

 

[Jelboy]

... I thought this was about Almunia not tittle-tattle between keyboard activists!

Bond has done very well for us during Almunia's absence but I feel we do need Manuel back between the posts. Nothing to do with Bond's ability, I just think we need the experience of somebody who has competed in end of season run-ins at the top end of the table - he knows what it takes to get the job done.

Abdi is crucial to the way we tick, so hopefully he'll be back for Burnley - I hope Sean brings the same side to the Vic' that turned out against Hull.

 

[Leo]

Thanks Jellboy - and welcome to the forum - I totally agree with you that it is no criticism of Bond - for me the goalkeeping position is the most critical on the pitch - it is the only stand alone role - in any ohter position a player can be having a bit of an off day and his teammates can cover for him. A goalkeeper has no such luxury so experience is vital. Knowledge in the team that the man at teh back is strong also helps build confidence throughout the team. I think it is no coincidence that past successful Watford teams have had excellent keepers

 

[Oldsparkey]

I'm very sorry to hear that Leo - I was not aware of that, and there was no reason that I should be.

You have my unreserved best wishes from someone who lost his elder brother recently at the age of 63 to prostate cancer.

Life sometimes tests us in a way that football can never match.

 

[Jelboy]

Thanks Jellboy - and welcome to the forum - I totally agree with you that it is no criticism of Bond - for me the goalkeeping position is the most critical on the pitch - it is the only stand alone role - in any ohter position a player can be having a bit of an off day and his teammates can cover for him. A goalkeeper has no such luxury so experience is vital. Knowledge in the team that the man at teh back is strong also helps build confidence throughout the team. I think it is no coincidence that past successful Watford teams have had excellent keepers

Cheers mate. Sorry to hear of your current plight.

I don't know if you were at Barnsley yesterday, but there were one or two moments where Bond got a little lucky, which I think may have been avoided by Almunia.

Totally agree with your comment regarding successful teams have had the backbone of a very good keeper, Bondy will be that man one day, but not just yet - I think the exposure may have long term affects, especially if something went a bit pear-shaped.

 

[wear_yellow]

I think your point might be valid Lenny if Bond had been responsible for some of the goals conceded, but that is not the case - apart from the second against Blackpool. He had no chance yesterday...so I don't believe so.

 

[Leo]

I think your point might be valid Lenny if Bond had been responsible for some of the goals conceded, but that is not the case - apart from the second against Blackpool. He had no chance yesterday...so I don't believe so.

well that is my point really - that Bond has done nothing wrong - apart from not being Almunia - we will have to see whether when they get Almunia back behind them they get their confidence back - I think they will - but for the moment there must be an element of "protecting" Bond so it has to affect our play

 

[Lloydinio]

After the last two performances without him, I'd be more inclined to ask "How good is Abdi?" - from listening to the commentaries on HP, I think it has been more a case of something missing from the midfield than anywhere else. Excepting Vydra's form dip of course.

We need Abdi, Vydra seems a bit tired, but i think that we are just going through a rough patch. Hopefully we can improve quickly

 

[North North Watford]

Eight of our first choice eleven are pretty well established now (Almunia in goal; you could make a case for any three of five centre backs; Cassetti and Pudil at wing back; Chalobah, Battocchio and Abdi in midfield; Vydra and Deeney up front). Out of all of the other players, I would say Bond has been every bit as good for us as Anya, Hogg and Forestieri.

 

[Leo]

Interesting then that the general opinion is that it is a coincidence that in the four games since we lost Almunia we have had four poor games against sides we ought to have beaten comfortably - to me I use the old Bond (James that is) adage - once is happenstance, twice is coincidence and three times is enemy action - well here perhaps "more than a coincidence" rather than enemy action

I suspect that because Bond has performed well it disguises what he does not do and what Almunia brings to the party