Let themselves get wound up. Masters of the dark arts, Burnley. But we knew that. Referee needed to be better, much better, than he was.
We were still 1-0 ahead when my visitor arrived, so I missed all the drama. TC had set the team up so well, we could have been two or three ahead by HT. I wonder what his future is going to be.
I thought we didn’t give him much choice, Fez. Sissoko took the bait, but I was furious with Kayembe, who I thought deliberately got himself sent off. That’s unacceptable imho, totally unprofessional. It was the young players setting the example yesterday. Doumbia thoroughly impressed me, he was constantly making diagonal runs across/between CBs or a CB and FB. He gave options which we didn’t take him up on enough. But we did put the ball in the box yesterday, much more than we have for months, I thought. Vata was superb, and much as I appreciate Georgi’s runs, he hasn’t presented as many opportunities for the striker(s) as Rocco did. I liked Matty as usual, in fact the whole back four. I think we more than edged the first half across the park. I’m absolutely sure this didn’t happen, but the second half resembled a team that were pissed off with their manager’s talk and didn’t want to play anymore. In short, we should and could have won, bar what looked like inexperience from a hugely experienced player in Sissoko and downright petulance from Kayembe - who owes Tom and us a lot more than that.
Yes true they gave the ref a decision to make and Bayo was potentially lucky not to get sent off . Both incidents were in front of the ref and obviously wasn’t happy with us and like you say experienced players ought to know better . TBF Flemming was also booked for that incident with Sissoko so the ref gave the same treatment but unfortunately Moussa’s was a second yellow .
Sissoko and Kayembe were both sent off for second yellows within minute of their first yellow but I have no idea for what some of the yellows were for (Kayembe first, Sissokos 2nd).
The Kayembe one was for a foul and Sissoko dissent before the kick off after their second as we thought there had been a push on Ngakia .
No complaints about either sending off. Plenty to be irritated about with the rest off the officiating. Referee gets a grip and it ain't happening: he didn't, and it happened. Needed to be better than he was. Much better.
Andrew French learnt well from Ollie. Well described and thoughtful. https://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sport/25102255.card-carnage-watfords-indefensible-making/
I thought Kayembe was so desperate to get sent off he was lucky not to receive a straight red for deliberate strike to his opponent's face. I'm really appalled by his behaviour. How dare he?
Flemming is a ****. He perhaps fouled Ngakia for one goal, his gesture to the Rookery on scoring the other was unnecessary and he sought out Sissoko to wind him up.
