Thought I would take the unusual step of posting something about Football and of course my beloved team. I looked back at some posts that I contributed to when Malky jumped and sadly haven't changed my view at all, weak Manager appointment, predictable style of play, mediocre signings, I could go on. The Club isn't doing well with a poor start and if SD doesn't turn it around soon (like at Reading) I suspect we are in for the anticpated tough season where survival is all we can hope for. I remember asking some of you if survival was all you wanted and noted one post that said relegation was ok provided we maintained the 'Watford' way. haven't read much about how great the Watford way is recently. I can't get to many games but support what I can so my question to any of you that loyally sit there most Saturdays is "What has to happen to turn it around" I have resisted posting recently as there seems to be some sort of spat going on not really related to Football, not wishing to patronise but focus in people!
I think a big factor mate is Lady luck left a month before last season ended and hasnt come back yet!
I can honestly say that I am feeling quite positive. Signings wise....I never expected us to sign so many players....I was thinking maybe we'd bring in 1 or 2 loanees...and make do with our youngsters. I wouldn't say they are mediocre signings...Iwelumo wasn't a very inspired signing...but Hogg, Forsyth, Dickinson and Garner for me were great signings. Cheap, but quality and/or with potential to go on and improve. To turn it around...I really do not think there is much to it. We have been playing well, but making a few mistakes at the back...and being unable to put the ball in the net. There was some promise in the Birmingham game....I think the team has needed some time to gel...but it will come together and we will pick up more points.
I think it takes a few months before you can really judge SD. We always knew he was making a large step up but equally we were in no position to appoint many others who would not have demanded money we do not have. I cannot think of too many people we could have got had we not gone for Dyche. An advantage he had over others was that he knew our style of play, the resources we have / have not got etc. We are a weaker squad for the loss especially of Cowie and DG but two years ago we knew little about DG - yet he came good. I now would take fourth from bottom if offered it this season
I am not a happy clapper, but I do feel optimistic about this coming season now that we have had a real input of new players. Our season starts NOW, get behind the boys!! COYH'S
I'm feeling far more confident than I did about a month or two ago.... we seem to have strengthened the squad, even if the first team is weaker with the loss of DG and Cowie. there is more competition for places, and more room to be able to rotate the team. I would like to see another loanee or two - preferably another (left) winger and maybe an attacking midfielder, in the Lansbury/Cleverley/Mutch mould.... If we don't bring anyone in, I still feel we have a squad he can pull away from the bottom 3 and be in the upper positions of the bottom half of the division.
I'm optimistic about this season. Our first XI might not be as strong, but we have a deeper and more balanced squad so i don't think we will fall away in the last part of the season as we did in the two campaigns under Malky. Iwelumo was excellent against Burnley, still don't get why people right him off after one poor game versus West Ham, the other signings have looked good enough so far. There are at least 6 or 7 teams with weaker squads then us. Obviously I understand concerned opinions as its been a bad start but we'll be fine.
Quite so... and West Ham stuck another four in on their travels and it should have been more. Let's keep things in perspective here. We all knew it would not be like last seasons heights. Early doors, still optimistic after the 2nd half display against Brum. Keep the faith! COYH
Well I've been feeling quite negative about our chances - not because we haven't brought in players, in fact we have brought in more than I expected but I would have prefered less numbers and more quality (2 less players for one marque signing that would give the whole club a lift). The main problem I have seen is with the set-up of the team - unless that changes we will struggle as it is easy for teams to play us. Hogg I think will make a difference and he describes himself as a box to box player which is what we need. We then just need a couple of the 5 strikers to start scoring and we should be fine.
Sounds positive so far, let me ask another, What are Brighton doing that we could learn from and do you think it's just down to money?
With Brighton, they have the momentum from last season (like Norwich). Confidence is such a big factor, and having that winning mentality. They played good football last season, and still playing that now. They may not have the best of teams, but the work ethic is there... and when you're winning, you do play with so much more confidence They haven't signed really signed many players, just added a bit more quality to their side! Our major problem is scoring... but at least we are creating chances, or at least having a go. It may only take one or two goals to kick start the season - maybe the international break came at the wrong time for us after the 2nd half performance against Birmingham! That, and scoring 2 goals, may have given us that belief to push on in the next few games, but I think the break may have diluted that feeling a bit.
Brighton brought in a recognised manager and attracted good players and were able to almost sell out of season tickets so the cashflow is far superior to us. If we fast forward 2/3 years (if Baz keeps his word) we may be in a similar position. On another point - the Wobbly is reporting we are still not finished in the transfer market with a quality loan signing possible in a wide position.
2 tough games coming up , I will stand by my original comment that sd appointment was a backward move by the owners I sincerely hope I'm wrong
Could do with more pace to open up teams.. The defence seems more solid but we clearly lack something in attack which isn't a surprise. Hopefully as Chris says 2 of our 5 strikers can gel together and create a goalscoring partnership.
Has Wichelow been injured? I really would like to see him fitted in there somewhere. I also think we miss McGinn a lot more than people think.
we'll be fine - point vs B'ham will look good at the end of the season and I reckon we are best when everyone else (Steve Muppet Claridge) is writing us off COYH
Not worried, concerned where our first win is going to come from yes! Don't think we could buy one though I have only seen the one game and that was the cup game at Bristol and we could not have scored in a brothel that night Not through lack of trying though! Still early doors but we have to win one soon other wise momentum will definitely be against us.
