12/04/11 Championship WFC 2-2 Norwich

[Hornmeister]

Can we stop the rot?

[wfc4ever]

Norwich don't lose 2 in a row and will be really keen to win ofcourse!

[ImRonBurgundy?]

Sordell must start on Tuesday, I watched Norwich yesterday and Swansea's pace up front tore them apart

[YouOrns]

Ha, what an optimistic bunch of fans!

[V Crabro]

Now that there is no chance of acheiving a play off place, we will probably start to pick up a few points again.

An East Anglian quadruple would be something to savour......

[TheDon]

We'll get smashed. Also Lansbury will score and do the dougie...

[With A Smile]

things will click and we will put away the chances that come our way

4 - 1 to the orns

[wfcwarehouse]

0-0, a dire game.

[delly263]

Watford 3-2 Norwich
Graham, Cowie, Eustace
Holt, Crofts

[JH93]

No Witch - very clever, Admin...

[Hornmeister]

No Witch - very clever, Admin...
:biggrin:

[VitalWatford]

things will click and we will put away the chances that come our way

4 - 1 to the orns

And Nordin Wooter will score with a mazy dribble...

[worcester_hornet]

If Malky still decides to play Jenkins in the middle with Eustace then I can only see a Norwich win. The midfield is too defensive, no one from the midfield is supporting the front two. I'd prefer to see Cowie in the middle.

[NathWFC]

0-0, a dire game.

My thoughts exactly.


If Malky still decides to play Jenkins in the middle with Eustace then I can only see a Norwich win. The midfield is too defensive, no one from the midfield is supporting the front two. I'd prefer to see Cowie in the middle.

I agree, there is no creativity or flair in the middle of the park at the moment, and that about Cowie is something I've been saying for a long, long time. I still think if given a good run of games in the middle he'd be far more effective there than out wide, it'll also be a good chance to give Whichelow a real decent run in the side to prepare him for next season.

[harry the hornet]

2-0 norwich.

[J.B]

3-1 orns.

[PaddingtonsYellowArmy]

whats the team news

[Hornmeister]

Fishal teams:

HORNETS: Loach; Hodson, Mariappa, Taylor, Doyley; Cowie, Eustace (c), Jenkins, Deeney; Graham, Sordell. Subs: Gilmartin (gk), Weimann, Buckley, Mingoia, Whichelow, Thompson, Drinkwater.

NORWICH: Ruddy; Martin, Whitbread, Crofts, Holt, Surman, Vokes, Fox, Ward, Tierney, Pacheco. Subs: Rudd, Lansbury, Hughes, Jackson, Edwards, Lappin, McNamee.

[99mph]

Ooh Sordell is starting

[RussWatford]

Well. Just back... not a bad result I suppose.

Bit disappointed with our time wasting antics when we had nothing to lose. The referee also lost control of the game second half but lots of positives including Deeney and Mariappa.

The sub came too late again, waiting for them to score but the changes to the starting line up were the right ones.

...and Drinkwater... well... do I need to bother?

[ImRonBurgundy?]

We should have won and we would have if Donkey10 hadnt missed an open goal

Eustace was sh1te, everyone else was good

Grant Holt is a dirty, fat cheat and not even in the same league as Danny

[Defunct]

What Russ, said, timewasting a big feature of the 2nd half from the off, strange. Apart from the goal, Loach had absolutely nothing to do first half. Second half started the same, then Macnamee came on, Norwich changed shape a bit and that was that, it was all Norwich and pressure all the way, (apart from 1 glorious DG chance that god only knows how he missed). Deeney was outstanding with his running, that boy has worked hard this season to improve. Drinkwater only had 10 minutes but can we send him back now please?

Got to say I was impressed by the sheer numbers of Norwich fans, and when they wanted to make a noise they did, albeit sporadically. Yellow order continue to improve, keep it up chaps.

I had a cheeky 50p on Taylor last scorer and Watford 3-2 at 425/1, the last few minutes I was praying for a Watford corner, not to be. Anyone know the 50/50 numbers.

[Squibba]

Thought we'd lose but then to go ahead and draw was frustrating, the glimpses of quality we showed in the last 20 minutes of the first half were so promising and then in the second half it all collapsed.

Loach's distribution is poor but pulled of some good saves!

Hodson had a much better game seemed to winning headers and has hopefully turned a corner

Jenkins brings nothing to the team, Eustace needs a new brought in during the summer

Sordell seemed decent first half but second half as the guy behind me kept saying if he had pockets his has would be in them

Deeney was the best player on the pitch in my opinion winning headers and lovely touches

Still don't know what Fergie see's in Drinkwater most certainly has no future at United

Lost all respect for the Norwich team, Grant Holt is one cat funt

[pauls yellow army]

Our good play stopped when the multi-ball was stopped it slowed us down and allowed Norwich to get back and organize themselves. The last half an hour of the first half Watford played some very good football, and dominated the game. Came out second half and slowed it down and sat back which just drew Norwich onto us.

Overall, I was fairly impressed with Watford, as others have said Tory Deeney was very good.

The ref was good first half, lost it in the second.

[inayellowshirt]

Hope todays performance is the clear sign that Troy Deeney was an astute signing and just needed sometime to settle and grow into the Championship

[King Dev]

Thought we'd lose but then to go ahead and draw was frustrating, the glimpses of quality we showed in the last 20 minutes of the first half were so promising and then in the second half it all collapsed.

Loach's distribution is poor but pulled of some good saves!

Hodson had a much better game seemed to winning headers and has hopefully turned a corner

Jenkins brings nothing to the team, Eustace needs a new brought in during the summer

Sordell seemed decent first half but second half as the guy behind me kept saying if he had pockets his has would be in them

Deeney was the best player on the pitch in my opinion winning headers and lovely touches

Still don't know what Fergie see's in Drinkwater most certainly has no future at United

Lost all respect for the Norwich team, Grant Holt is one cat funt

Disagree with everything apart from Deeney (Cowie also played very well though) and Drinkwater.

Some of Loach's distribution is decent to be fair to him, his quick kicking very often get to who he was aiming for. Same can't be said for Eustace, who seems to aim either right or left and that's it.

Hodson isn't a full back, never ever puts in a tackle, it is so frustrating. It's no good holding off and still allowing a cross to come in, need to start putting in a challenge for Christs sake. Thompson does this, and is also about 5 foot taller so I don't see what Hodson brings over him.

Jenkins did very, very well today. Kept the ball well and distributed it nicely at times. He is a little inconsistent but that's unbelievably fickle for slating him.

Sordell kept running, not his fault when he gets trapped in a corner and pumps it up the wing with nobody there, could put it out for a throw but people would still moan at him so he can't win. He has the best footwork on our team by a long way.

What did Holt actually do? A few people have said it but I didn't notice anything.

[J.B]

Unlucky not to win today. Not really bothered though because it was yet another good performance from the lads today.

Loach started off shaky but made a couple of very good saves and look assured and comfortable in the second half, hopefully he has got some confidence back now.

Hodson was very good and has improved his distribution, even went forward a bit.

Taylor was great as ever.

Eusty is having a tough time at the minute unfortunately. First goal was his fault and he has been giving the ball away far to much recently.

I liked the 4-5-1 we played today with 20rdell, DG10 and Deeney switching from the wings to lone striker. However, 20rdell didn't seem to fit into it as when on the wing he didn't provide enough support for Doyley/Hodson. He had a great game going forward however. Deeney put in another good shift. DG10 put in his usual display and it was great that he got a goal but he is looking a little less potent up top recently, i'm sure he'll pick it up again though.

All in all a good display and a good result. Nowitch were poor and Grant Holt is a dirty cheat. He is disgustingly fat as well.

Oh and the ref was f**king shyte, pathetic display from him, no way was their second goal a free kick.

[inayellowshirt]

Malkay complained on 3CR that after Holt was booked he committed five more fouls and should have been 2nd yellowed.

He'll be sending the usual video evidence to the ref's assoication with a complaint

[King Dev]

Ref had a shocker, was giving them and us free kicks which were never fouls and then not blowing up for blatant elbows etc.

So it's all about Holt fouling? How did he foul? I didn't see him go through anyone? If he didn't then you lot are MASSIVELY overreacting.

[J.B]

Malkay complained on 3CR that after Holt was booked he committed five more fouls and should have been 2nd yellowed.

He'll be sending the usual video evidence to the ref's assoication with a complaint

Holt played quite a clever game. Saw that the ref was a gutless little coward and knew that if he kept on doing niggly little fouls then the ref wouldn't have the bottle to send him off for them.

[RussWatford]

Holt was kicking people in the ankles, shirt pulling, shoving, backing in. You name it he was persistently doing it all game, and he scraped his studs down the back of AM's legs for his booking miles away from the ball.

He's just a journeyman striker and a bloody fat lump.

[ImRonBurgundy?]

Holt is very clever, consistently fouled after he was yellow carded knowing that the ref didnt have the bottle to give him a second yellow for niggling fouls, apparently he did his hamstring at the end, nice bit of karma for that obese tw@t

I dont get the hype around him anyway, based on tonights performance he doesnt even come close to DG10

[King Dev]

He was getting so much abuse from the front of the Rook.

I'm clearly not as observant as you lot. Glad he did his hamstring in though the fat c***. Backing in is alright, everything else definitely is not. He really is just a smaller, fatter, uglier and more useless Henderson.

[wfc4ever]

We were very good for 20 minutes in the 1st half after the sloppy start but Norwich did come out well as you might expect and Loach had to make a couple of good saves. Still Graham missed a couple of excellent chances. The defence played well and Deeney impressed.

A very open entertaining game with both teams not afraid to get stuck in and even the managers had a runnning battle on the touchline it seemed!

[King Dev]

Danny Graham on twitter: Hold my hands up for the miss it happens....Much better performance from everyone #goodgame

At least he knows even heskey would've scored that.

[stuh92]

Danny Graham on twitter: Hold my hands up for the miss it happens....Much better performance from everyone #goodgame

At least he knows even heskey would've scored that.

You cost us promotion tonight Danny, better see you here next year and redeem yourself. I WANT 40 for 2011/2012

[leighton buzzard horn]

Interesting game, and quite entertaining. I thought we would get tonked tonight nd after the way we started I feared the worst. However we scrapped our way back into it and done ok towards the end of the first half. Norwich were always going to really come at us early on in the 2nd half and as soon as DG missed that sitter you just knew it would cost us. I'm not surprised he missed it though, he wasn't really in it tonight just as he wasn't on Saturday compared to the high standard he set through the rest of the season. A bloke near me reckons he may have had his head turned but to me he just looks knackered.

The ref was great in the first half, he really let it flow and stayed out of the way but the 2nd half he was like a different bloke and seemed determined to be noticed. However, the decision for the free kick that lead to the equaliser was the correct decision and a stupid, stupid foul by Deeney.

Other than that foul, Deeney was superb; his best game in a Watford shirt so far. He won a lot in the air and worked his socks off.

Eustace and Jenkins are not complimenting eachother - one or the other alongside a Jordon Mutch type player would be great. Cowie was as steady as ever, and Sordell looked very lively going forward. He seems btter at keeping the ball now but he is still lazy and useless when it comes to tracking back - Doyley bawled him out on a number f occasions.

Doyley looked shaky early doors, but soon settled down and generally we looked ok at the back on the whole.

MOTM - Tiny Taylor.

[J.B]

Interesting game, and quite entertaining. I thought we would get tonked tonight nd after the way we started I feared the worst. However we scrapped our way back into it and done ok towards the end of the first half. Norwich were always going to really come at us early on in the 2nd half and as soon as DG missed that sitter you just knew it would cost us. I'm not surprised he missed it though, he wasn't really in it tonight just as he wasn't on Saturday compared to the high standard he set through the rest of the season. A bloke near me reckons he may have had his head turned but to me he just looks knackered.

The ref was great in the first half, he really let it flow and stayed out of the way but the 2nd half he was like a different bloke and seemed determined to be noticed. However, the decision for the free kick that lead to the equaliser was the correct decision and a stupid, stupid foul by Deeney.

Other than that foul, Deeney was superb; his best game in a Watford shirt so far. He won a lot in the air and worked his socks off.

Eustace and Jenkins are not complimenting eachother - one or the other alongside a Jordon Mutch type player would be great. Cowie was as steady as ever, and Sordell looked very lively going forward. He seems btter at keeping the ball now but he is still lazy and useless when it comes to tracking back - Doyley bawled him out on a number f occasions.

Doyley looked shaky early doors, but soon settled down and generally we looked ok at the back on the whole.

MOTM - Tiny Taylor.

He played a good advantage throughout but whilst it was good that he allowed the game to flow he didn't clamp down on some fouls enough and stamp his authority on the game in a subtle way. This was always going to cause problems and sure enough in the second half the players took him for a mug and he lost control and went card-happy.

I can't say I agree regarding the freekick that led to their second goal though. Deeney ran full pelt to get to the ball and the Norwich player moved into his way. If anything it was obstruction on Deeney.

[harry the hornet]

Norwich were repeatedly going in with two feet.

[matimbers]

If we had Grant Holt upfront, we would be in the play offs, pure and simple. People may moan that we was kicking and pulling all night, so be it, it is all part of the game and he plays to his strength (similar to what Henderson did for us). He is the type of player that we could do with up front to be honest. Graham runs his socks for the team for 75 mins and is then knackered the last part of the game, happens every week. He ends up having to do too much and his ability tends to wasted a bit doing the donkey work.

I would really like to see Deeney giving a continued run up front along side Graham as I really think they could be a decent partnership and it is one thing that has disappointed me by playing loan players like Weimann ahead of Deeney for a large number of games. Deeney has quite simply needed games, as he has a great touch for a big bloke and has a football brain, knowing where to place the flicks and run off th ball well (he made the first goal for Graham in a way by drawing 2 defenders away from the ball).

The defence needs some work for next season as well. Hodson especially stands off the wingers far too much and then dives in, allowing too many crosses into the box, whilst Doyley's positioning can be poor, allowing the forward to attack the ball against a standing start from the defender.

In midfield, I wouldn't be against giving Eustace a rest to be honest. Jenkins has been the better of the 2 from what I have seen in the past 3 games and I think him and Cowie work well together.

Loach has a confidence issue from what I can see. He has been dropped by the under 21's this season and he seems hesitant when communicating, showing similar traits to Lee now as a keeper, good at shot stopping but poor at crossing and managing the defence and dodgy distribution at times. He pulled off a great save in the second half by the post but almost got caught on the edge of the box a few times. If so, does Alec need to look at the training the keepers are getting?

All in all really enjoyed the game this eve, we had the first half, they had the second. It we had played another 5 mins we would have lost so in a way, you could say the time wasting worked (though not good to see). Who pulled the multi-ball system at half time I wonder, the ref or Malky?

[RussWatford]

However, the decision for the free kick that lead to the equaliser was the correct decision and a stupid, stupid foul by Deeney.



I disagree with you there. Deeney was running in a straight line towards the ball and their bloke body checked him. If Deeney had fallen over we'd have got the free kick, but because their bloke did, they got it.

[RussWatford]

Who pulled the multi-ball system at half time I wonder, the ref or Malky?

The ref did it, just before half time. Stupid thing to do without any real reason.

[matimbers]

Interesting game, and quite entertaining. I thought we would get tonked tonight nd after the way we started I feared the worst. However we scrapped our way back into it and done ok towards the end of the first half. Norwich were always going to really come at us early on in the 2nd half and as soon as DG missed that sitter you just knew it would cost us. I'm not surprised he missed it though, he wasn't really in it tonight just as he wasn't on Saturday compared to the high standard he set through the rest of the season. A bloke near me reckons he may have had his head turned but to me he just looks knackered.

The ref was great in the first half, he really let it flow and stayed out of the way but the 2nd half he was like a different bloke and seemed determined to be noticed. However, the decision for the free kick that lead to the equaliser was the correct decision and a stupid, stupid foul by Deeney.

Other than that foul, Deeney was superb; his best game in a Watford shirt so far. He won a lot in the air and worked his socks off.

Eustace and Jenkins are not complimenting eachother - one or the other alongside a Jordon Mutch type player would be great. Cowie was as steady as ever, and Sordell looked very lively going forward. He seems btter at keeping the ball now but he is still lazy and useless when it comes to tracking back - Doyley bawled him out on a number f occasions.

Doyley looked shaky early doors, but soon settled down and generally we looked ok at the back on the whole.

MOTM - Tiny Taylor.

In all fairness to the lad, I would imagine he has not played too much on the left of midfield before and looked a little lost at times, especially when they had a throw in our half with who to pick up etc. He did actually look good there going forward though, good delivery with either foot and his close control and passing was precise.

[ImRonBurgundy?]

Completley agree with J.B. the freekick leading to their 2nd shoulnt have been given, Deeney was running full speed after McNamee and Tierney just stepped in front of him

[King Dev]

Norwich were repeatedly going in with two feet.

That is allowed...

[leighton buzzard horn]

Completley agree with J.B. the freekick leading to their 2nd shoulnt have been given, Deeney was running full speed after McNamee and Tierney just stepped in front of him

Utter rubbish, it was as clear a free kick as you could get. Deeney may have been stupid enough to fall for it but it was a free kick all day long.

[RussWatford]

Utter rubbish, it was as clear a free kick as you could get. Deeney may have been stupid enough to fall for it but it was a free kick all day long.

I think you and the referee appear to be the only people to have seen it that way to be honest.

It was an obstruction and a Watford free kick, if anything.

[ImRonBurgundy?]

Utter rubbish, it was as clear a free kick as you could get. Deeney may have been stupid enough to fall for it but it was a free kick all day long.

Sorry but I (along with two other posters) completley disagree with you, what should Deeney have done when the guy stepped in front of him whilst he was running full pelt?

[wfc4ever]

Loach always take ages with goal kicks for some reason even when we are losing!

[King Dev]

Sorry but I (along with two other posters) completley disagree with you, what should Deeney have done when the guy stepped in front of him whilst he was running full pelt?

I disagree too, never a foul, was hilarious.

[leighton buzzard horn]

Sorry but I (along with two other posters) completley disagree with you, what should Deeney have done when the guy stepped in front of him whilst he was running full pelt?

Stepped aside/stopped/not put his hands into his back whilst stood in front of the ref...just a couple of ideas!

The ref was being ridiculously picky in the 2nd half and Deeney had plenty of time to get stop or move round him yet decided to fall for it instead. They were playing for kicks around the box as they had such a big forward line to aim at. We were silly enough to fall for it a couple of times and that time it cost us. It was a silly free kick to give away, full stop.

[J.B]

Stepped aside/stopped/not put his hands into his back whilst stood in front of the ref...just a couple of ideas!

The ref was being ridiculously picky in the 2nd half and Deeney had plenty of time to get stop or move round him yet decided to fall for it instead. They were playing for kicks around the box as they had such a big forward line to aim at. We were silly enough to fall for it a couple of times and that time it cost us. It was a silly free kick to give away, full stop.

Then you would have accused him of being lazy and called him Princess Troy.

[ImRonBurgundy?]

Stepped aside/stopped/not put his hands into his back whilst stood in front of the ref...just a couple of ideas!

The ref was being ridiculously picky in the 2nd half and Deeney had plenty of time to get stop or move round him yet decided to fall for it instead. They were playing for kicks around the box as they had such a big forward line to aim at. We were silly enough to fall for it a couple of times and that time it cost us. It was a silly free kick to give away, full stop.

He had no chance to move out of the way, he was running at top speed and Tierney stepped into his path about a foot in front of him, Troy isnt the most agile player at the best of times...

[leighton buzzard horn]

He had no chance to move out of the way, he was running at top speed and Tierney stepped into his path about a foot in front of him, Troy isnt the most agile player at the best of times...

He had plenty of time, I was watching it closely and you could see it happening a coule of seconds before it did. Free kick, end of. He played superbly tonight but that free kick cost us, as did DG's glaring miss.

[stuh92]

Gutted, promotion was on if we had won, no attempt at a gamble, Malky blew it for good this time

[stuh92]

This is not Liverpool FC Forums.

Leave your delusion at the door and look at things realistically and fairly. I'm all for optimism but you take it a couple of miles too far.

5 points off leeds if we had won, 2 if we then went to Leeds and won. IT WAS ON

[Harrow Orn]

5 points off leeds if we had won, 2 if we then went to Leeds and won. IT WAS ON

Exactly. You have a very good point in my opinion. We needed to win, we had nothing to lose but Malky insisted on playing 4-5-1 for most of the game? AT HOME? We needed someone to change the game tonight as Norwich were piling on the pressure, we needed a bloody outlet! Who would that be? Someone with a little bit of pace, surely Buckley or Whichelow? No, lets bring Dishwater on instead :doh:

[wfcmoog]

How many games without a win now? Malky is living on borrowed time.

[FromDiv4]

What a master stroke bringing on Drinkwater. First few minutes he runs around not really very near to the ball getting the pace of the game, then he gets it and plays a perfect pass backwards to a Watford player 5 yards behind him. Now he is in the game and ready to show us what he can do, his loses out on a challenge, over hits a pass, passes the ball straight to the opposition…. Normal service is resumed.

Other than keeping Sir Alex sweet, why on earth do we give this guy any game time ???

[FromDiv4]

If only we had played as well against Hull and gone for the win last night we could have had 5 points more and been only 2 behind Leeds. An opportunity missed. But let’s be positive, last night was much better than Hull and Coventry and if we play that way for the rest of the season I will be happy. There are always things we could do better, but overall last night was a good performance all round.

[snowylad]

Must admit I was suprised at Big Willy not being given 10 minutes to run at the defence with fresh legs!

Agreed that if we were harbouring any play-off hopes then 3 points were a must. However the way this division has been this season, even with our tricky run in, we're still in with an outside chance

[20/20 Vision]

Exactly. You have a very good point in my opinion. We needed to win, we had nothing to lose but Malky insisted on playing 4-5-1 for most of the game? AT HOME? We needed someone to change the game tonight as Norwich were piling on the pressure, we needed a bloody outlet! Who would that be? Someone with a little bit of pace, surely Buckley or Whichelow? No, lets bring Dishwater on instead :doh:

I thought it was 4-3-3, with a couple of central strikers playing wide. Since Norwich's width comes from their full backs (before Macca came on, to good and entertaining effect), this nullified one of their attacking strengths. And if DG hadn't missed that easy chance, Malky would have been a tactical genius.

I agree that Whichelow would have been a better bet than Drinkwater, but Drinks is more experienced and surely he has to demonstrate his pedigree some time (though probably not this season, and hopefully not in a Watford shirt).

Froggy will probably be upset at this negative view of Drinks though, as he's only a young lad, playing for our team, etc, etc.

[PotGuy]

We didn't need to win.

We were playing 2nd in the league, our season had already finished, and they were gunning for promotion.

They needed a victory, we didn't.

[Ghost of Barry Endean]

We didn't need to win.

We were playing 2nd in the league, our season had already finished, and they were gunning for promotion.

They needed a victory, we didn't.

For possibly the only time ever, i'll agree (in part ) with Stuh. Norwich wanted the win, but on the other hand, we are not really bothered about losing; although the chances of the playoffs were very remote last night, a win (especially with the way other results went) would at least kept a glimmer alive, and made the Leeds match more interesting (a win there and suddenly it's game on). So why Drinkwater FFS, with Buckley and Whichelow on the bench? Why did Loach appear to be trying to let the clock run out?

I should have been happy with what, comedy goal excepted, was a good performance, but in the end I left feeling pissed off.

[Spud]

Part of the loan deal with Man Utd might have been that Drinkwater had to play x amount of games or minutes or we might have to pay extra.

At the end of the day it was a nothing game for us, the play offs were a dream that ended back in the transfer window when loanee's went back to their respective clubs and we were back in the close season but having to use competitive games to bed not only our new loanee's in but the team in general. In other words all the hard work that was put in over the summer was undone in a few short weeks in January/February.

Despite what anyone says this season has been a massive success. We're still in business, we havent been relegated and we've got a shed load of very talented youngsters coming through the ranks that havent cost us inflated transfer fee's and we can sell on for a profit.

And despite what anyone else says, I do believe Malky is a decent young manager. Hes still learning the ropes, as most managers do despite their age or experience, therefore still making mistakes but getting it right more often than not. He has performed under intolerable pressure, hes not taken the easy route and walked away therefore leaving us in the mire. Hes stuck by us through thick n thin.

And despite what anyone else that is left says, I do like Mayo on me chips, French Fries only tho, proper chips are tom sauce only. With a fish coated in battered, none of that kebab foreign muck. Too greasy.

[sod chip save luther]

Wouldn't have happened if we'd signed Walcott :(

[20/20 Vision]

Exactly. You have a very good point in my opinion. We needed to win, we had nothing to lose but Malky insisted on playing 4-5-1 for most of the game? AT HOME? We needed someone to change the game tonight as Norwich were piling on the pressure, we needed a bloody outlet! Who would that be? Someone with a little bit of pace, surely Buckley or Whichelow? No, lets bring Dishwater on instead :doh:

4-3-3 if you were watching.

[TheDon]

What seemed to wind me up last night was that Graham was pretty much playing as a lone striker but he still kept coming wide to receive the ball. Meaning the box was empty. We needed someone from midfield to take a gamble and make a run into the box. If you look at the QPR away game we played McGinn in that role behind DG10, and personally I'd like to see someone in that position again. Cowie kept coming wide also and Jenkins and Eustace are both holding players that aren't comfortable going forward. We need somebody in that position.

Also, how the f**k did Graham miss?

[Hairyfrog]

I think you and the referee appear to be the only people to have seen it that way to be honest.

It was an obstruction and a Watford free kick, if anything.

Take off your yellow tinted glasses bruv, it was a free kick all the way.

[Ghost of Barry Endean]

Take off your yellow tinted glasses bruv, it was a free kick all the way.

I was sat right above it - not a free kick (at least not for Norwich)

[20/20 Vision]

I was sat right above it - not a free kick (at least not for Norwich)

So was I, and I agree.

The Norwich website reckons that Holt was fouled by Eustace and so Norwich would have had a pen if Jackson handn't scored. I've looked at it several times and can't decided who was fouling who or if nobody was fouling anybody.

[Harrow Orn]

4-3-3 if you were watching.

I was watching, if it was 4-3-3, why, when we were defending, was Graham upfront on his own while Sordell and Deeney were back?

Maybe it was a 4-3-2-1 then...

It was a defensive formation IMO. I'd rather Sordell right up top with Graham, which proved to be the most deadly front 2 in the Championship at the beginning of the season.

[leighton buzzard horn]

I was watching, if it was 4-3-3, why, when we were defending, was Graham upfront on his own while Sordell and Deeney were back?

Maybe it was a 4-3-2-1 then...

It was a defensive formation IMO. I'd rather Sordell right up top with Graham, which proved to be the most deadly front 2 in the Championship at the beginning of the season.

More of a 4-5-1 when we don't have the ball and 4-3-3 when we do. It is rare now to see a rigid 4-4-2 at any level.

[With A Smile]

I disagree with you there. Deeney was running in a straight line towards the ball and their bloke body checked him. If Deeney had fallen over we'd have got the free kick, but because their bloke did, they got it.

Deeny ran along side him and shoved him over. As it happens it was their first freekick of the game, so hardly a one sided decision.


5 points off leeds if we had won, 2 if we then went to Leeds and won. IT WAS ON

Does that mean we need another enquirey ?

I thought we played really well and if anything half time came at the wrong time for us. If Graham had put his chance away it would have been game over.

A good point, good game and all round good performance.

[TheDon]

It was not a free kick, they were running side by side, norwich player released the call then changed direction, went straight into Deeney and went over.

[stuh92]

Part of the loan deal with Man Utd might have been that Drinkwater had to play x amount of games or minutes or we might have to pay extra.

At the end of the day it was a nothing game for us, the play offs were a dream that ended back in the transfer window when loanee's went back to their respective clubs and we were back in the close season but having to use competitive games to bed not only our new loanee's in but the team in general. In other words all the hard work that was put in over the summer was undone in a few short weeks in January/February. Despite what anyone says this season has been a massive success. We're still in business, we havent been relegated and we've got a shed load of very talented youngsters coming through the ranks that havent cost us inflated transfer fee's and we can sell on for a profit.

And despite what anyone else says, I do believe Malky is a decent young manager. Hes still learning the ropes, as most managers do despite their age or experience, therefore still making mistakes but getting it right more often than not. He has performed under intolerable pressure, hes not taken the easy route and walked away therefore leaving us in the mire. Hes stuck by us through thick n thin.

And despite what anyone else that is left says, I do like Mayo on me chips, French Fries only tho, proper chips are tom sauce only. With a fish coated in battered, none of that kebab foreign muck. Too greasy.

For the second year in a ****ing row. NOT ACCEPTABLE

[Malky Mackay]

Anyone else notice scott severin on the bench according to the big screen?

[20/20 Vision]

And he didn't put a foot wrong.

[Canary in Watford]

Hiya, just wanted to give you an opinion from the opposition on Tuesday's game.

After a lightning start I thought we struggled in the 1st half, our only chances seemed to come from some dodgy Watford defending-2 or 3 missed headers in central defence, something that my friends who support Watford say has been all too frequent this season. 2 or 3 times our defence was exposed by your forwards, you might have been 2 or 3 up at half time. Our keeper maybe should have done better with Graham's goal, good advantage played for Cowie's goal.

Paul Lambert has shown all season-and last-that one of his strengths is sorting things out at half time. We were much better defensively in the 2nd half and I think that even if Graham had connected with his "open goal" we would still have been in with a chance. I thought that a draw was a fair result in the end.

A couple of things I can't understand though:

You were one of the favourites to go down this year and even my mates agreed with that-so why is Malky on borrowed time? You won't attract anybody much better than him, he has a lot of respect around the country from other managers, I honestly think that once Saracens have stopped churning up your pitch you can become a real force at home with him as manager.

Grant Holt-He's an old fashioned centre forward, he plays the way that they used to in the 60s & 70s. There's nothing wrong with that, and centre backs playing against him foul him as much as he fouls them. To say that he is not in the same league as Danny Graham is ridiculous-Graham's only got 4 more league goals this season, they have different strengths to their game of course but they are both goalscorers. Holt is also an inspiration to the rest of the team. I think that they would work well in the same team. Anyway, as for Holt being fat, I've worked out that his BMI is 22.9 which is actually pretty healthy-and the other part of the insult, well I'm sure cheap shots only make him play better.

I hope we aren't playing you next year but at least if we are it's the shortest journey of the season for me!

On The Ball City

[wfc4ever]

Very few people really want Malky out...some might think we've missed a chance to get into the play-offs but all sides have dropped silly points this season and generally most will be happy with the season overall.

I suspect its even the same with you guys...done really well but still probably though "if only we'd got that win there".

TBH fancied all 3 promoted sides to do pretty well this season but clearly not all close to the play-offs and above!

[Canary in Watford]

I would have been happy with mid-table, very surprised to still have a chance of automatic promotion. But maybe that's what can happen when you have a decent manager, it's just been so long since we had one! Mind you, despite only just coming up, there are plenty of doom and gloom merchants on our forums who can't wait for the slightest chance to have a go at the players, the managers or the board, even though we might only be 5 (or 8 ) games from the Premiership!

[leighton buzzard horn]

Malky isn't on borrowed time, he's doing just fine and is exactly what we need at the moment. He is a steady manager at a time when we need a couple of years of stability.

Also, I thought Holt was fun to watch on Tuesday. I haven't seen Tiny and Mariappa beaten up like that all season - it was a real old school battle. The only disappointment was when he acted like a **** and kicked Mariappa off the ball, disappointing because up until then it had been a good and very honest battle.

However, out of all the top teams I have seen his season I would say that Norwich would be the team that would struggle the most if you got promoted. You have a team that is great at Champ level and will graft until the end but, as we know, that is far from good enough for the Prem.

[orns4life]

After A couple of things I can't understand though:

You were one of the favourites to go down this year and even my mates agreed with that-so why is Malky on borrowed time? You won't attract anybody much better than him, he has a lot of respect around the country from other managers, I honestly think that once Saracens have stopped churning up your pitch you can become a real force at home with him as manager.

Grant Holt-He's an old fashioned centre forward, he plays the way that they used to in the 60s & 70s. There's nothing wrong with that, and centre backs playing against him foul him as much as he fouls them. To say that he is not in the same league as Danny Graham is ridiculous-Graham's only got 4 more league goals this season, they have different strengths to their game of course but they are both goalscorers. Holt is also an inspiration to the rest of the team. I think that they would work well in the same team. Anyway, as for Holt being fat, I've worked out that his BMI is 22.9 which is actually pretty healthy-and the other part of the insult, well I'm sure cheap shots only make him play better.


Like you said in your second post, forums always have doom merchants/wind ups/idiots that like to moan. MM is far from on borrowed time, hence why he recently got given a 3+ year deal.

As for Holt, hes the type of player you love on your team and hate on the oppositions team. Therefore, hes a fat c***. DG is not only better but 6 years younger than him.

Good luck for promotion, couldn't stand seeing either of the sheep-shaggers getting second spot.

[TheDon]

However, out of all the top teams I have seen his season I would say that Norwich would be the team that would struggle the most if you got promoted. You have a team that is great at Champ level and will graft until the end but, as we know, that is far from good enough for the Prem.

I disagree. I really feel Cardiff would struggle. They have good strikers but their defence is awful. I can't see Swansea doing that well either...

[leighton buzzard horn]

I disagree. I really feel Cardiff would struggle. They have good strikers but their defence is awful. I can't see Swansea doing that well either...

Cardiff would well struggle, but more so than Norwich?

[With A Smile]

I haven't seen anything from anyone to suggest that they wouldn't struggle.

Swansea keep the ball best but won't score, all the others give the ball away far too much, which at that level will kill them

[wfcmoog]

Cardiff would finish top 3 in the Premier League.

[Defunct]

Cardiff would finish top 3 in the Premier League.

The Womens Premier League, 1 behind Watford Ladies.