The day started off well enough because being back from uni (and spoilt by my mum) I was supplied with a much needed and appreciated cooked breakfast. Arriving in Watford early me and my mate were able to enjoy a quick drink in the Red Lion, a pint of Strongbow always more enjoyable in the sun. In all honesty I thought that would be as good as the day would be, because as much as I hoped for a massive 4.0 win, I felt a draw would be a more realistic possible achievement. Aidy made four changes (two vital) to the starting 11, Henderson (injured) was replaced by Tamas Priskin, Rinaldi was replaced by Bouazza, Mariappa was favoured to Chambers and Clarke Carlisle made his long awaited return (almost a year out) at the expense of Shittu. Carlisle being back is like having a new player in my opinion, easily one of our better performers in the first half of last season and he should compete well with Jay and Danny next season. Nothing much happened in the opening 15 minutes, both sides cancelling each other out, but Watford in my (probably biased) opinion were the more attacking of the two sides. But then it all went wrong and the game appeared over. Priskin attempted a pass back to Mahon, though it wasn’t great, the captain appeared to be caught in two minds about his next move. Having froze he failed to then attempt a tackle which resulted in a pass to the one player I didn’t want to see have a shot outside the box. As soon as he hit the ball I could tell Taylor’s shot was going in. It was a harsh sucker punch, Portsmouth’s first chance, and just so typical of how any mistake in the Premiership is a mistake too many. However the goal failed to inspire Portsmouth to take advantage of the situation, maybe believing the job was done. Watford were clearly unsettled by the goal, the ball was thrown in frustration at Priskin/Mahon on the centre circle and the two still to be having an exchange of ideas about who was to blame. But the young Hungarian certainly seems to be full of confidence and he didn’t even let the 4+ offside decisions in the opening 25 minutes affect the way he played. Priskin seemed a constant threat making runs and creating space, he’s also not afraid to take a touch to control the ball and to take a player on. Maybe even two. Despite some nice Watford play there still seemed to be little evidence of any real chances and it was obvious a moment of individual creativity was needed. Priskin making another run down the right took the ball past Traore with ease, before he was unexpectedly fouled (by Traore) from behind. This seemed to create an argument about who would take the penalty. Priskin wanted it, and in my opinion deserved it having earned the penalty single handily, Bouazza wanted it because he was obviously designated penalty taker in the absence of Henderson. Mahon settled the argument, Bouazza stepped up, sent the James the wrong way and we were justly level. Around the 45th minute, I was in the process of another mini rant about Gavin Mahon, to my mate in fact my exact words were ‘he’s having another one of his bad games today’. I don’t normally criticise players and I may have been harsh on Mahon but I believe that around the 45th minute most Watford fans would agree they were disappointed in the skipper. The following is (slightly) tongue in cheek, because whilst there are aspects of Mahon’s play that frustrate me I still respect what he has achieved. Also it symbolises just how shocked I was at the goal and how much joy I got from it, not least because I had to eat humble pie. In the 46th Minute, for a few brief seconds I and the Vicarage Road faithful slipped into what can only be described as a parallel universe. The half time whistle imminent Priskin challenged with James and the ball ended up at the feet of Mahon. To those who don’t know Mahon in ‘our’ universe, he never shoots, always lacking the confidence to do so, he always attempts a pass to another yellow shirt which results in a lost chance. When he does attempt the odd rare shot it rarely goes in, unless it is off the back of a player (Burnley at home last season). In this strange parallel universe Mahon clearly does shoot, not only does he shoot but they are on target and not only that but they curled right into the top corner! The referee blew the half time whistle and we were winning courtesy of a penalty and a rare Gavin Mahon goal! The opening stages of the second half showed that Watford were buzzing (pardon the probably over used pun). Mahon passed to Bouazza who fed a magnificent ball to Kabba, running at the defence he crossed to Priskin who volleyed in from close range. He then proceeded to celebrate with Marlon King in the dug out, hopefully both will have a chance to do so together on the pitch this season and in the future. Priskin was running the show, having arguably gained two assists and a goal and both he and Mahon were certainly attempting to make amends for the opening goal. So having been a goal down we were 3.1 up, surely it would all go wrong, surely we’d scored too early and being effectively 2.0 up we’d start defensive tactics resulting in a nervy 35 minutes. The nerves almost became justified when Kanu was allowed space in the box, his shot cannoned back off the cross bar, Foster then jumping lost the ball, somehow despite a mad scamble in the box the rebound was not converted. But it was evidence that we had to remain alert, that attack was still the best option and that if we didn’t close down, like against Middlesborough we’d be punished. 3.1 didn’t quite seem so safe. Fortunately we continued to attack, Bouazza now taking the lead from Priskin as the inspirational performer, he constantly charged down the left. Bouazza could have scored a fourth (sooner than he did) when, after receiving a long pass but James made a good save, though the shot was close to the keeper. Minutes later Bouazza was again fed the ball, shooting at James the ball fell back to him, regaining his composure he set himself up for another attempt and planted the ball in the corner, 4.1. It truly was Dreamland. It seemed too good to be true, and I suddenly started to fear that the cooked breakfast, the sun, the drink I’d enjoyed and the almost certain victory were all a dream before I woke up to a cold miserable rainy Monday morning. Portsmouth did get another goal back, after a nice piece of control from Mvuemba resulting in an equally nice finish. It was nothing more than a consolation, despite initial concerns from those around me that we would throw away a 4.1 lead. I don’t want to sound overly critical, but the defence do need to remember not to give any space to Premiership strikers. Finally, I was heavily critical of the team after Middesborough, the first time this season I really have lost my temper. Like Boothroyd and countless fans I called for big performances until the end of the season. I think we got one today and a fantastic result which will hopefully, after many false dawns give us a platform to build on. EDIT: the above was written before watching the highlights, having now seen these I was clearly harsh on Mahon regarding the first Portsmouth goal.
I don't think you were too harsh on Mahon. The goal was a fluke but a very welcome one. In the past when the ball has fallen to Mahon on the edge of the box he's usually put it over the top of the stand. Now he knows where the goal is let's hope he does it some more.
