Just got back home myself. The only dissapointing thing was having to sit in the Watford end with a coaching pal who got me a ticket. What a cracker of a game! Can't really fault anyones effort today and that includes Johanson. I thought the midfield 3 worked their socks off against a very powerful, physical Watford side. Sometimes it's so easy to give players like Willock and Chair the plaudits, rightly so too but Dunne was excellent today. A proper defender. You could pick a man of the match from 7 or 8 players. Tactically, it worked very well. The narrow set up seemed to disrupt Watford and our full backs, especially Laird played very high. Credit where credit is due. Superb effort all round.
A thought on Watford's goal that I posted on YouTube: Honestly, I'm annoyed only at QPR players for that 2nd goal. Firstly, Willock gave the ball away in midfield. Second, Dickie dicked around with the ball. He should have cleared it. If he was pushed at all, there really wasn't much in it. He decided not to clear it, then wasn't strong enough to hold the ball... IN HIS OWN BOX. What was he thinking? The thing about Dickie is, he's not a mature personality. He's prone to making mad decisions or not paying attention at times, although he's got loads of ability.
I like “Dic & Dun” at the back. Dunne has a lot to offer and can improve his game skills, he’s a young man. Dickie does have an error in him, which is why I think the big clubs have steered away from him - but all players make errors, MB will tweak his game and he’ll improve. Definite trip for the second goal, no doubt, so justified that they didn’t get the equaliser (those offsides get given / don’t get given). We got our just desserts against a European, nee World, powerhouse of football from a team behind the allotment patch!
From what I saw live, it certainly looked a foul on dickie for their goal, having seen the highlights numerous times, there was no foul. Dickie dicked himself! Our midfield 3 yesterday, shuffled across the pitch as a coherent unit. It worked, most of the time, perfectly. My main concern was their width but the way Dozzel, Field and Johanson worked as a team was brilliant. By the time Watford switched the play, all were in position, moving across to cover the space. There were times when a winger was completely free but it was going to take a perfect 40 yard pass to utilise him. Sometimes things just click on a pitch, you think, yeah they've finally got it. Yesterday was a brilliant game, one of those to store in the memory banks. Fully deserved and tactically carried out to near perfection.
If Dickie falls down like that under any physical challenge he should perhaps be given the nickname Bambi. Not his finest moment.. Centre halves are not paid to think and dance their way out of a dangerous situation but rather to clear the ball. If there isn't an obvious player in space to pass to, just get rid.
The WFC quote here is either meant jokingly or was written by some youngster who jumped on the Watford bandwagon a few years ago and knows only the Premiership. I started watching Watford in 1968 and have a longer memory, remembering rainy friday nights in Tranmere and Barrow. I also remember that our biggest ever home attendance for a league match was against QPR in our first ever season in Division 2 (1970).
Looked at the ‘trip’ a few times now (on the offie highlights) and I think Pedro’s right foot pushes at Dickies left around the ankle and boot lip to trip him. Dickie doesn’t seem to tangle his own feet together, they’re not close enough to each other and he doesn’t seem to roll his foot or stub his toe. I think your live instinct was right. Trip for me. All close margins and fine lines though as ever in this game of ours. All worked out nice in the end though
Could not quite believe what I saw there. There was ample opportunity to clear the danger. However, perhaps a bit picky given the result.
This one is even younger as he can't even remember back 12 months ago when they were last in the Championship. Mature seasoned campaigners have know for years that the standard of refereeing is even worse than in the Premier League.
BTW last time we played Watford (Feb 2021)... we won 1-2 Adomeh scored in the last minute to give us the win then too Uncs obviously loves Watford
Clive's take on things....... Have to say from the very brief highlights I've seen Laird and Paal look the real deal........ https://www.fansnetwork.co.uk/footb...y-take-strictly-business-on-the-road-–-report
