If Britos deserved two yellows, then WBA should have finished that game with five players maximum. We did excellent tonight, against a team that are very hard to play football against.
Brilliant performance and had a lot of what we have complained was lacking all season - guts, players taking responsibility, drive from midfield, playing the ball on the floor, a bit of magic, Deeney running in behind a centre back. As mentioned by others, Doucoure is so good. He is always moving, both defensively and offensively. We hoof the ball a lot less with him in the team as his first move is always towards the ball and he gives an option. Can't see how Behrami can get back in to the team now. Mariappa was also fantastic - there's a thread about our lack of leaders but he was certainly one tonight. Not only did he not put a foot wrong but he was talking the whole time, pointing at people, telling them where to go. Even though he's our 6th choice centre back he is by far and away the most natural leader. I was a bit worried Niang didn't really want to be here a couple of games ago but he worked his socks off tonight, in addition to the wonder goal and wonder assist. We look such a better team with a balanced line up. Injuries have meant we've either had no width or width down only one side but the last couple of games we've finally been able to attack equally down both flanks, and surprise, surprise - we've played better football. Finally, what an unpleasant team they were. How Pereyra can get a red for flicking a foot out after being bundled over and having the ball blasted at him whilst on the floor but it's ok for McClean to chase after someone and kick them is beyond me. Even worse was Dawson, left his foot in on Niang and Cleverley, as well as that high tackle on Holebas. Didn't even get booked. I was prepared to give Nyom the benefit of the doubt after the first game but that's gone after his antics tonight. Booooooooo!
Really enjoyed that, good atmosphere from 72 mins onwards as well. Think that helped the players when they were having an unnecessary wobble because we really were in little danger of conceding tonight. 2 wins, 2 clean sheets, can't ask for more
It was great to see some real fight from our players tonight - absolutely chalk and cheese compared with most of what we have served up this season. Full marks to Deeney, battled hard and contributed well. In fact all players did well in my opinion ... and what a goal from Niang. But, yet again, Doucoure stood out. What a player he can be. I dont know how many times I have said it, but it is an absolute CRIME that he hasn't been playing more regularly. Not only does he not stop running, he is always available, he passes so efficiently too, forward when there is an opportunity. Gets stuck in and strong in the tackle. But what I also noticed tonight was how he was often the first on the scene with calming chats to the other players, arm round shoulders, encouraging and inspiring. Brilliant performance. Future captain, maybe.
You say that, but we played more football tonight than in any other 5 games of the season combined. i don't remember a game where we passed it more.
Boom! Great stuff. Doucoure is immense - really looking forward to seeing what he can do during the run in. Can't be dropped surely! Now we can play in the run in without pressure and see how the team develops against tough opposition.
Absolutely brilliant performance! They dominated West Brom in the first half and did the hard work in the second half. The dirty, petulant WBA scum got what they deserved... nothing. Actually not dreading Spurs like I was now!
Brilliant performance, and great to watch, special mention should go to Doucoure, Cleverley, Deeney and Niang, and as others have said, Mapps did far better than might be expected after being pitched on to a tasty old fixture after basically no minutes all season. Main item of note, the Brommers really did play like utter c u n t s tonight. It's f u c k i n g lucky that we were good enough and up for it enough for the s h i t t y performance of the ref not to affect the result; giving that as a second yellow and not giving them one was rich.
Great result and performance. Down to the bare bones for Saturday though, looked like Niang was limping.
He was clearly knackered before he started limping. Never a good idea to leave a totally exhausted player on, if there is any choice, because they are far more likely to pick up injuries.
And me, 91/92 was my first year, average attendance about 10k. Would be interested to know our win/draw/lose % I'm that time
Gutted I wasn't there tonight as I broke my foot but well done to the boys tonight. Well deserved and nice to beat West Bromwich at home since the FA Cup game. Spurs next, a point there is not impossible.
Without Troy to lump it to on Saturday, they discovered that they were capable of a wider variety of footballing basics. What was going on on the bench? Walter went absolutely *******!
Doucoure doing for us what he did last season for Granada. Stepping up to the plate when the pressure is on us to get points on the board to stay up! Immense, and back-to-back MOTM awards! Huge win and the performance was just as pleasing. When we get the ball down and move it with pace and accuracy we are hard to live with! The issue is we haven't seen it nearly enough this season but huge credit to the players and to Wally for the last two results. The pressure is now eased significantly and we can go into the games against Hull and Leicester with no fear which makes us very dangerous!
I always had a feeling that we could nick a point or three off of West Brom because they really aren't as good as their points suggest. Watford played amazing today; I can truly say that it's performances such as that gives the 20,000 fans their moneys worth (including West Brom ones). Don't even get me started on that first goal! Niang gave us a head start out of the bloom and scored a wonder goal almost identical to Pereyra's in terms of curviture ;D The midfield was immense, constantly pushing upwards and backwards when required and there were even points where Doucoure was in place of a Centre Back. Cleverley and Capoue (CC Brigade) were presenting lovely passes to each other, Deeney and the wings which is finally starting to show off as an actual plan put forward by Mazzarri. Amarabat and Janmaat, the Dutch stallions work fantastically together. I can imagine that they are constantly shouting instructions in Dutch to each other whilst they pass each others shoulders to confuse the opposition defence. I don't really want to focus on those lot because it was the whole team working a charm and that is by far thee best performance I have seen at the Vic in my opinion but if I were to explain the positives of every player, I would be here all night to be honest. Not only that, the atmosphere was superb and instead of the moans and whines that are usually howled in the last 10 minutes, there was the orchestra and repeats of 'Watford FC' which without a doubt boosted the morale of the players! Roll on, roll on, we're coming for you Spurs (even if it's for a single point!).
Very enjoyable performance and great to see us grind out a clean sheet against tough opposition. As has already been said, monumental performances from Doucoure & Cleverley, they have completely changed the dynamic of our midfield in the last couple of games. Still a worrying number of sloppy passes that on another day could have been costly, but it was nice to see us passing the ball around with confidence. Once Pereyra is fit we could have a really strong attacking side.
First game I've not seen this season, because I had to repair our broken shower. From the sound of it, perhaps I should spent more time repairing showers during Watford games.
Just had a quick look on their forum and although their team are filthy, their fans are really quite fair minded. Consensus of opinion on there about the refereeing is that Dawson and McClean should've both been sent off and Britos shouldn't. I don't think either of Britos' were bookings so feel for him but hopefully he'll never try to ping a cross field ball with his right foot ever again...
Incredible what can happen when you want to play football, it ends up one of the best performances of the season, if not the all round best. Brilliant tonight. Don't care if we get tonked Saturday.
It's not often I agree with you, but I can't not this time round. The bolded bit is something I noticed as well. He was shouting and directing more than Cleverley was, getting stuck in all over the pitch and having a chat with everybody. Certainly wouldn't mind him being captain if he continues to do this (and he stays at the club)
I assume that this is a whoosh, we tried to play in the spirit of the game. WBA were absolutely disgusting particularly McClean who should have got a straight red, it was worse than Pereyra's at the Hawthorns. Nyom should have got two yellows in the last 5 minutes but only got one. The rugby tackle on Amrabat in the first 10 minutes went unpunished, the bad foul on Holebas just before the McClean incident which was not only a clear foul and yellow ended up being a throw in to them. After that I'd be ashamed to be one of their fans.
First game I have enjoyed waching for a while that, nice to see us trying to play it on the floor also. Doucoure was great as was Cleverley I thought. Two very good goals also. Loved Wallys antics on the bench, thought he was lucky our GK coach wasnt allowed to get after him though. If we perform like we did today for the rest of the season I can see him staying now.
As has been said, surprise surprise that we can actually play well when we have a balanced team. Shocking really that our dip in form followed loss of creative players. Mazzarri Out!
Fantastic performance to follow up on a good one on Saturday. Much better ball retention (at 25 minutes we'd had 81% possession), and everyone played their part in that. Doucoure is an absolute rolls Royce based on these last two performances - he's quick, strong, has huge passing accuracy and tonk one. Very high hopes for his role in this team next season. Niang once again showed what an animal he can be with the ball at feet, and what a goal. Standard Cleverley 8/10 performance, and Troy once again worked hard, and must appreciate having two strong wide men to stretch play. Finally well done Aidy Mariappa, who showed a lot of heart when he came on in tough circumstances and cleared everything out of sight. If we can play like that with a (near) fully fit squad, I'll take much more of the same in the future with 1 or 2 additions.
Doucoure showing that he should have been in all season, without question. He was unlucky to be the one dropped when we bought in Clevs. Think that may be the last we see of Behrami as he will certainly want regular game time next season... Niang showing that if he can add consistency to his game, he'll be a good signing - I hope he can. Mariappa was immense when coming on and showed what our defence could be if we sign a CB with leadership qualities in the summer. Gomes - plenty of life left in him yet. All in all, a great win with a few players proving a few points. I'm not WM's biggest fan but I'm not ashamed to say well done to him tonight as well. Today seemed to be the day that stories started creeping into the national press about him and he certainly gave his response in his actions on the touchline. Plenty more of that please now that you have shown it...
Great win, played some great football. Niang was superb, Britos was great then reckless. No need to go to manhandle Rondon as he was always going down. That being said we were strong when down to ten. Cleverley and Doucoure were brilliant absolutely ran the game. West Brom are a dirty horrible side. Happy Nyom day.
That was the best game I have seen since we returned to the premier league. Just brilliant. We controlled it from start to finish, showed heart which we have lacked for months and absolutely battled for the 3 points. Some of our players are class; Niang's goal was brilliant. Holebas MOTM for me, didn't put a foot wrong and made some brilliant tackles. Great atmosphere under the lights. Difficult to believe West Brom were 8th. The futile African playing every bit as I remember him. Useless. My favourite part of the night was at the end when he scuffed a 5 yard tap in against our defender then slipped over. Clown. Can't wait for a smash up in North London this weekend.
Excellent win - attacked with pace in the first half summed up by a cracking strike by Niang. Naturally had to dig in hard with 10 men but did that well - Mariappa was very solid after coming on. All in all a decent 90 minutes - one of the best this season.
Pulis 'we had chances and possession (44% possession despite Watford having 10 men for half an hour Tony), and on another night Chadli could have come away with a hat trick' Christ
Actially wasn't having a go at the team , thought wba were a bunch of fowling cnts, it does however seem that a large amount of our games end up with a **** load of yellow cards (I think we are the worst disciplined side in he prem). I also thought that Nyom could have pressed enough buttons to get another player sent off. Wonder if our reputation leads to this kind of game - or are most other premiership games so bad natured But mostly great game , great result
