tbh - would not normally say this and conscious thread is not live but think next Saturday is huge. The players looked gutted yesterday - how we bounce back is key. I really hope they go into this thinking we battered the champions and are as good as anyone in the division(excl City, Spurs). They need to go in with that mindset. Watching yesterday - we have 3 or 4 players who are quality(not far from world class). A win against Stoke is key and I think will be a good indication whether we can really challenge top half. Watching Liverpool today the only teams I feel are way beyond us are City, Spurs, Chelsea and maybe United.
Exactly - I agree. I just hope team take away the positives from yesterday. Stoke are looking rank but will Park the bus
Just change the title and make this the match thread! We more than matched chelsea. Spurs have struggled against teams so aren't invincible. I'd say only city this year are beyond any teams. I think records will be set by them this year. This isn't a big game. We've secured lots if juicy points. This is just a "notafreehit" game. Unfortunately you'd imagine Merse and Lawro will be backing us for this one so we are already up against it.
We really need to get the Chelski match out of our system. I am sure Silva will prepare as previously. A comfortable win would be a tonic. Proved we can compete with the best. I would say us Burnley and promoted teams are doing really well, beyond City and Spurs. Next 3 games will be nearly third of the season gone so a good indicator. No reason why we should not beat Stoke, Everton and West Ham if we maintain current standards. Hope Pereyra is OK. Can't afford many more injuries and that is my only fear.
The only danger is the risk that we will be complacent against the lesser teams in the EPL. The fact the risk is even there shows how far we have come. We need to get used to being favourites in EPL games more often than not if we keep going the way we are.
The next game is always the biggest match coming up in this league. Every game is a cup final in the Prem. (Insert your own cliche ridden quote here).
I know this is slightly off topic but relevant should we beat Stoke. You can still get 4/1 on us beating Everton in two weeks with Paddy Power. We are still marginally odds against for this one!
Definitely one for Troy. There won't be any space behind the defence for Gray to run into (if it crosses his mind to do so).
To be fair, Spurs have faced a lot of teams who have parked the bus against them. We haven't really had that problem apart from West Brom.
To be honest, the team need to be reminded of the Chelsea game, because I guarantee they'll be chomping at the bit for an opportunity to put it right. I expect a handsome win on Saturday.
As disappointed as the players looked on Saturday afternoon if we play in the same manner we should beat Stoke.
Play like we did for the first 25/30 minutes of the 2nd half then we will beat most teams in this league
I wouldn't really worry about Stoke parking the bus considering how many goals they've conceded this season....
Since promotion Stoke have outclassed and outmuscled us at Vicarage Road. I have to say that I'm a bit apprehensive about this because last year we were truly awful against them.
I think the one thing so far this season has been consistency unlike the last 2 seasons. The last 2 years, even in thr purple patches you didn't really know how we'd play and scratched your head when and how we won some of those games. So far this year you know pretty much what watford team will line up, how they approach the game and generally how they'll perform. Strong. Consistent. Organised. So it's games like this that in the past I'd think we should win but could balls it up that so far this season I confidently believe we could win. Saying that, results do have a way of kicking you in the arse sometimes as Manu-Hudds showed last weekend so we could lose and should not be complacent. Main concern is that if they do park the bus, do we have enough creativity right now to break them down.
If he Plays we can tackle how we like in box. He won’t score penalty hopefully peryra plays - any news on injury.
