I've just woken from a Saturday afternoon reverie, remembering Watford games and seasons of old. Walking away from grounds after losing at Darlington, Hartlepool, Rochdale, Aldershot, Grimsby, Stockport and Southport. Dreaming of gaining promotion to Division 2 for the first time in our history. Of stands in all four sides of Vicarage Road without the dreadful greyhound flapper track. Of a ground where the atmosphere was electric with the crowd close to the action. Of holding our own in the old Division 2. Of occasional giant-killing acts against the big clubs, say once every 20 years. Of Watford mentioned at least once a decade on Match of the Day. Of not having to clear snow and straw off the pitch before a game. Of more than a coach load of fans at an away game. Of a confident return to the top division, replaying our years of glory under GT that seem to have gone for ever. Of a mid-table position in the richest league in world football. Of a team composed largely of internationals of varying nationalities and a coach that has experience at the highest level. Of repeatedly poking most media pundits in the eye. But it'll never happen - will it?
Leo - was it you last season who spoke about Graham Taylor breaking the season down into blocks of matches? It's been quite interesting using that as a guide this season.
Yes - if I remember correctly he set a points target for each group of 5 matches so each individual game contributed to that target.
After yesterday's match commentary I keep wondering why pundits/commentators seem to think that the likes of Sunderland, Newcastle & Villa have some special right to be in the EPL and when they have a match against little ol Watford they think 3 points are on here and it will turn their season around - well we have poked Newcastle and Villa in the eye on their patch so bring on Sunderland. Personally I hope Norwich & Bournemouth stay up. We are doing well enough now to stay up, and a top 10 finish could be possible and a great achievement. Focussing on our defence was shrewd by QF and is reflected in our GD which could be critical if things go pear shaped. We showed a lot of nouse yesterday by keeping Villa away from our goal in the last 10 minutes, wish we could have said that last season.
I am positive we will stay up, without doubt. Goal difference is important but if (but it won't) anything went wrong then teams below us would be winning & improving their goal difference whilst ours would be eroded so it would be tight in that circumstance.
Point to note we have shipped in two goals in our last three games which is something which hasn't happened before this season. Admittedly Leicester & Man U had some luck in one each of theirs.
Flit, I commented during the match yesterday that we do not look as tight at the back as we were at the start of the season. However we are now scoring goals. So the two must be connected. However Man U and Villa definitely targetted our fullbacks, and both had torrid times. However Nyom had an imperious second half yesterday, especially after the totally ineffectual Paredes was taken off. Abdi also had one of his least effective games yesterday and Geudeoura must be pushing for a start.
Answer from the Wobby - we will stay up History suggests that Watford are well on the way to ensuring their survival in the Premier League this season please log in to view this image So here is a stat which Watford fans are likely to enjoy. Only one side has ever been relegated in a 20 team Premier League season after collecting 19 points from their first 14 matches. The Hornets, under the guidance of Quique Sanchez Flores, have performed excellently this season and have proved a lot of pundits wrong. And Saturday’s win over Aston Villa moved the Golden Boys to 11th in the table with 19 points after 14 games. So to that stat. Only Crystal Palace, during the 1997/1998 season, have failed to remain in the top flight after making such a start. The Eagles sat tenth in the table following a win over Tottenham Hotspur as they entered December but endured a wretched second half to the season and only claimed 14 more points. They ended the campaign bottom. Such a scenario is almost unthinkable for Watford. The Golden Boys, barring a ten minute spell against Arsenal, have not been outclassed and in Troy Deeney and Odion Ighalo they have a reliable source of goals. The only other occasion sides have failed to stay up having accumulated 14 points from 19 games was during the 1994/1995 campaign. Share article Palace, again, and Norwich City had started their Premier League campaigns strongly. Palace were on 19 points while the Canaries were eighth with 21. But both struggled over the next six months and were relegated, however, the division was made up of 22 sides that season
