On the day the referee often reacts to the force of the tackle, irrespective of whether the foot is high or connects with the ball. This is what they now see as an ‘out of control’ tackle, which is now outlawed and results in a card, often a red one. This is what happened with Capoue and I believe the authorities subsequently supported the ref’s decision because of that. The Deeney challenge yesterday was just two players sliding into each other without extra force and that’s how the ref rightly saw it, despite what Colin and his Philippino henchman might think.
I don't care what the technicalities are. Capoue's tackle was clean, fair and did not hurt the opposition one iota. Deeney slid in with studs high and into the keepers' keepers!! Clearly this was the worse of the two. I think sometimes incidents are far too technically analysed. To the layman, there was absolutely nothing wrong with Capoue's tackle. Deeney, while not reckless, was a bit naughty. I got the impression he deliberately left his studs high, just to "leave a bit on him", as Deeney would phrase it.
And it's his past comments saying such thing that for any other player would result in no retrospective action (it was a yellow at worse) but for him will probably result in a career ending ban
I thought the ref was excellent. Gave virtually nothing either way and single handedly screwed up Warnock's set piece tactics. Their goalie is very good too. Rest of them are useless. Amazed they have won 4 games.
Got to be honest , I don’t think Doucoure is that reliable, yes he has skill and lots of it , yes he could be world class , but at the moment he seems to give the ball a way an awful lot in really bad positions. Chalobah needs mins on the pitch and then will be fine , not sure about Cleveley running through treacle looked fine to me
I thought Cleverley had a decent cameo. He brings such commitment, in the spirit of Mooney and Helguson. Once their winger was loose down their left wing, Cleverley chased him down and I knew he was either going to tackle or break his leg. He opted for the former, with a perfectly timed slide.
I always watched the oppo lino v closely. If he was a clear homer, I’d counterbalance that. I’d plainly have had my work cut out if I’d ever linoed Howard Webb at Old Trafford.
I always watched the oppo lino v closely. If he was a clear homer, I’d counterbalance that. I’d plainly have had my work cut out if I’d ever linoed Howard Webb at Old Trafford.
“ Gerard Deulofeu: I've seen him score superb goals previously for Everton and you don't play for Barcelona unless you are a gifted individual. Gerard Deulofeu is a very talented player indeed. The problem is you have to wait ages to see the occasional flash of genius from the Spain international, but when that inspiration emerges its always memorable. His goal against Cardiff was Maradona-esque and if this player could become a consistent performer instead of just a talented one, he'd be a sensational player. He would also be playing for Barcelona and not Watford.” I know the last bit is true - but really what kind of reaction does he think that would get + shows lack of respect for any team that’s not top 6 - **** But then again guess if he knew anything about football he would be managing not writing a shity column for the BBC
It's the same put down Merson used when Deulofeu put a free kick straight over the bar at Leicester. He said "that's why he's at Watford". F***ing c***.
This guy will be officiating West Ham v Watford next week. https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=2007354916247030
WTF does Holebas have to do to get people like you off his back!!! He is far from being a bad player, in fact I would put him in at least our top 5 players for POT or even higher than that.
I bet he’s scored more FF points than any WFC player, ever. The most goals/assists of any defender this season. In the Prem. This man is a coiled miracle. The RC of our starting eleven.
It's because of a couple of his indiscretions he has had in the past, the same with Gray if he scored a hat trick you would get people moaning saying he should have scored 6! Some fans never forget!
I’d be glad to be proved wrong but I predict that, if Gray scores a hat trick, it won’t be in the Premier League.
I honestly thought the ref got it right with Deeney's slide for the ball with their keeper. It was a cute ball laid through for him and one he had to chase with everything he'd got (shame he wasn't a bit quicker!). Once he'd gone for the ball and started sliding, the wet pitch meant he couldn't stop - you could see the spray coming up. It looked to me that as it became obvious he wasn't going to be first to the ball, he ceased to go for it full-blooded and pulled his leading foot up and away from making full contact with the keeper. I'm not sure what else he could do. Also notice how Etheridge immediately jumped to his feet as the ball continued in play, but then did a dying swan once the ref blew. So not very injured then... Deeney might be tough and physical but I'm pretty sure he's not the type to deliberately try and injure another player.
I don't like the man very much, but you're right he's having a much better season than many thought possible. However, surely you'd have to agree that our long throws into the box have had a zero return for a very long time? It's perhaps not entirely Holebas' fault - the 'flicker-on' is obviously not winning his dual with their defender in many cases. A long throw into the box ought to be nearly as good as a corner or FK in dangerousness, but at the moment it doesn't seem to be working for us and instead is leading to counter-attacks straight up the other end.
Re. Our passing in front of the defence in the first half, I felt it it was due in part to the fact Deeney always lays the ball back, and never runs beyond the defence. This allowed them to push up without worrying about getting turned and beaten for pace. Just a couple of balls over into the space behind might have helped... And maybe Success on to chase them.
To be fair one of the keeper’s pills was nearly jettisoned from his sack and nestled into the net. I think the delayed pain is well known in this scenario considering he was on his haunches staring at the penalty spot for 3 minutes after!
Our general attacking play has been good this season in and around the box, but our delivery into the box to create a goal scoring opportunity has not been the same standard. We very rarely create an attempt on goal from our corners, free kick and throw ins around the box.
