So mixed bag of a season as we approach the end of a year that has seen some managerial stability instilled under the quiet but authoritative presence of Javi Gracia. Currently we ride high in the Premier League and in past seasons and in the Graham Taylor era we would have been more than pleased to be where we are. Looking back on the season so far there is a nagging disappointment however. Had we utilized the chances created by the best and most complete midfield seen at Vicarage Road we for better or worse would be tagging along with the so called elite on their heels with a genuine chance of European football (again a possible curse or blessing depending on who you are). That the midfield has contributed more goals than the strikers we have is indicative of where the club needs to strengthen not to mention with the much needed departure of Kaboul the need to purchase a quality centre back who can play out under pressure. Granted not an easy thing to do at this time of year when fees are inflated to ridiculous proportions as clubs seek desperate remedies to their woes. If we could pull the rabbit out of the bag and with no sign of the injury crises that plagued last season then there is no reason why the club cannot set it's sights on more than a mid table finish. Another stern test of those credentials awaits next week in the form of Chelsea. They too have been plagued by inconsistency and the lack of a striker capable of scoring regularly week in and week out which is why they are sniffing around Europe to find one. They played a 4-3-3 against Leicester who showed that with a decent press and countering this Chelsea team are vulnerable. Kante is playing below par and Jorginho Sarri's figurehead at Napoli has struggled to get used to the Premier League. Defensively any team with Luiz or indeed Rudiger despite their size are quite capable of giving them the run around in terms of speed and aerial presence. The one player who looks a threat always and has really come on in the last three seasons and at this World Cup in Russia to become a genuine world class player who can hurt any team is of course Hazard. He will need to be watched like a hawk. Key players: It would be lovely to see a repeat of the scoreline in Gracia's first home game in charge but it is most unlikely. As both teams find it hard to defend this could well be another open attacking game and one in which Foster and players like Kabasele need to be fully awake while we take our chances when they present themselves as they undoubtedly will given the class of players we can field in Pereyra, Delofeu and Doucoure. I am pretty sure Capoue will be able to handle that midfield as well once again despite the sparkle upfront he is my player of the season so far. Oh happy day..... Martin Atkinson who last officiated in the 1-1 draw against Fulham where we squandered three points will be the referee for this match.
This is an absolute mismatch. We should win by 3 or 4 clear goals. I'll go: Watford 6-2 Chelsea Pereyra (21, 28, 72), Deulofeu (42, 61, 90+1); Hazard (2, 4) Pereyra and Deulofeu to each get 3 assists. MOTM: Kabasele.
I think our possible starting line up will be a clear upgrade on the team which started in the 4-1 win last season..... Out: Karnezis Mariappa Prodl Janmaat Zeegalar Richarlison In: Foster Kiko Cathcart Kabasele Pereyra Sema (plus Quina and Cleverley available) We were really ravaged by injuries last season - we must have had 6 or 7 potential first team players injured when we played Chelsea at home.
That lad Deeney didn't let his horrendous 8th minute miss affect his game - he's gone from strength to strength since then... Another clean sheet for Foster, 3-0 to Watford.
The trouble is, Chelsea are also a very different team compared to when we beat them. Bakayoko for one wouldn't have even got in our current squad. The only thing I can criticise Chelsea's current team with is that they struggle to shift into plan B when things aren't working for them. This was evident against Leicester and Tottenham. It may have something to do with Italian managers, but like Mazzarri, Sarri has a set plan and is very intent with maintaining it. Oh, and both their names rhyme with Ferrari... Coincidence? I think not. Apart from that, when their plan suits the team they are facing, they can tear apart the best of teams. This was evident with Man City who received a real hiding from them.
Think we've got a decent chance of getting a good result. We're now back on track, picking up 7 points from Cardiff (home) and West Ham and Everton both away, has been excellent. We have two home games in 3 days. Certainly Newcastle should present us with a good opportunity of a victory, and Chelsea are one of those teams you can get a result against if you're game plan is perfectly executed and player perform to their maximum. I think Watford are currently playing at this level. Chelsea losing at home to Leicester will not help our cause, as they will be looking to bounce back. However, Watford away is a tough fixture for any opponent these days. We're more than capable of winning ALL our remaining home matches. I think we'll do well, and might even sneak a win. Not going to be another 4-1, but maybe a draw or a tight 2-1 victory to the 'orns.
Not sure if it's been mentioned but there are 3 live Premiership games on Sky One on Boxing day.. including ours. https://www.skysports.com/football/...watch-premier-league-on-sky-one-on-boxing-day
Nowadays each game pretty much boils down to 'what degree we did or didn't take our numerous chances in front of goal' Credit to JG.
You can tell when we ve won a couple of games because the match thread come back . And Long may it carry on.
Alonso has been a bit of a weak link defensively for Chelsea of late. Hopefully we bring Janmaat in for Kiko and exploit the space that's left.
Will be a bit boring as we'll dominate from start to finish. Not sure I'll even bother watching it as it's a bit predictable how it'll finish. Watford 3-1 Chelsea.
Must win game. We've definitely got a chance. We're a handful for any team in the division when we're on form. Hopefully the team will be buoyed by Ssssssilva being turned over by Burnley earlier in the day. Hoping to get at least a glimpse of Penaranda over the post-christmas run of games... I can't believe we turned over Chelsea with that line-up posted above...
Ah Chelsea. The once champions of England turned to also rans by the fortune of Ali Dabhi FC. Not pulling any punches here, this is no doubt our toughest fixture of the Xmas period. It’s about time we put that disappointment of only scoring four against them last season to bed. We had a bare bones squad who over preformed on a cold winter evening and put in a super show of never give up attitude even when they equalised. This time it’s going to be different, our team is stronger, we have our Mojo back now and Foster has become a possible PotS in my book alongside Capoue. Peyera is due a goal, Delafoo is on a streak of one a game and Deeney loves a good run out to work off that Yule Log. I’d love a win. But they will be licking wounds after being mauled by the foxes. If we get a point here at the very least then beat Newcastle it will be a great way to end the year. Muff away is another possible result then it’s Woking. But for this one ok stick my neck out and go bold. 2-0.
Anyone else unable to go because of Boxing Day family commitments? Lunchtime/afternoon ok for me but not the evening. Sky barstewards.
Christmas is a special time of year. A time for celebration. For singing and rejoicing. A time to be merry. Surely your family must understand this and how wrong it would be to stand in your way ?
Bit of a free hit after the last two results, I wouldn't mind seeing some rotation and resting a couple of players for the Newcastle match.
I have had a premonition! An early sending off. I hope it is for them and not us, I couldn't see clearly but it could of been a player with a big perm...
I'm sure there will be some rotation over the next 2-3 games. The question is whether Quina comes in for the NUFC game rather than the Chelsea game where keeping our shape and defending will be more important. Will be interesting to see how he plays it.
1-1 draw I'm going for. Wouldn't be a bad result, especially as I expect us to give Newcastle a good seeing to a few days later.
He'll be knackered delivering presents to all the children in the world tonight, and chewing on reindeer farts all night can't be pleasant.