I do find it strange that Elton hasn't made any of the GT associated events. Barnes was a great player for us but never has anything good to say about us anymore and can't be bothered to turn up for this match in honour of the bloke who made his career
Agreed. Thats why I will not be at the Tales from the Vic on Sep 8th but have my tickets for the November 12 event with the rocket men-Ian Bolton et al
Bit like last week - average first half where Gomes had to save us a few times but seemed to improve after the break with a few changes Had a goal ruled out and missed some chances. Defence solid enough - midfield ok but up front is going to be our downfall. New right back did well again. Amrabat and Gomes only ones who played the full 90 and Capoue seems to be back in favour.
A good occasion apart from the poor lady serving in the SEJ food emporium who was utterly hopeless. Great to see all the old favourites and I thought Tom Walley looked trim. What has happened to poor Rod Thomas? He looked as if he had just undergone a major leg operation. Stand out performers for me were Pereyra and Doucoure. Janmaat looked all over the shop and the Bat improved in the second half. TC will rue his miss and I imagine Okaka has to start next Saturday. I felt for Sir Clive as he had meagre service. Why do most people under the age of 30 come to a football match and then spend most of their time looking at scores from football matches they aren't at? Special mention to the three young ladies who left after 32 minutes and returned after 68 minutes. Why?
Before all the knives come out I quite recently read SEJ has not been in the best of health ... and of course I'd like to hear that officially before making a judgement.
I have a feeling it is going to be a few games until the managerrealises that the formation doesn't suit us with the team we currently have. I really think we need 2 up top. Sinclair is a good little player but for someone with a very decent back ground he is so one footed, and the reason why he will never score many goals, either a player who has zero confidence of just lack that predators instinct. Okaka held it up well, think he would link well with pacy partner. Gomes was solid, excellent talking as usual. Janmaat was best defender and put a shift in, would love to see Femenia in front of him as he has pace to burn and could beat a man, Amrabat has no pace and was dire with his final ball. In midfield, good to see Pereyra back, stood out as most creative player by a mile. Doucore the pick of bunch in middle, Chalabah lost the ball a lot first of all but got better with game time. Others were all OK, Success was not OK, needs games, way off the mark.
It was reported a few months back that Elton kept a low profile about GT's funeral/remembrance because he was worried about his presence creating a media circus and overshadowing the event. I don't think anyone needs to doubt Elton's sincerity where GT is concerned. If he wasn't there, he had good reason.
Thoughts.... - Real Sociedad well organised team , hard to break down with some good creativity . - Pereyra is far more dangerous in the middle than the left - Cleverley looks off the pace as he did do for the last 10game did last season . - Chalobah and Doucoure work well, and was pleased to see Doucoure s passing become more adventurous 2nd half . Chalobah offers creativity around the box . I can see him having a storming second half of season once he's hit his straps . - Gomes has been excellent pre season , the old dog won't need lie down and seems to thrive off the pressure. If he can keep his blunders down to a few , we won't need a new keeper till next season . - Femenia looks class . Not seen him tested defensively but his technique and crossing is superb . Can't see Jan maat holding his place for long . - Okaka looked decent when he came on . He's got 10+ goals in him if he as to play frequently . - a shame but Sinclair was mainly anonymous , he still young so not writing him off yet . I think the team he ll start with , not necessarily my team though... Gomes Janmaat Prodl Kabasele Holebas Doucoure Chalobah Amrabat Capoue Pereyra Okaka
Out of the potential boo boys, I thought Britos had a decent game. Okaka also looked decent to start with but faded towards the end. Success looks like he has no confidence at all. Sinclair worked hard but lacks confidence. Overall a decent performance but they need to move the ball more quickly, especially on the break.
You see, I think success does look confident. He Seems to have matured, he looks to receive the ball retains it under pressure. Apart from his glaring Miss, I thought he did well and will improve under this coach. One old boy near me did lay in to him and got a good telling off from his daughter! I enjoyed his performance along with Pereya Okaka and Femina. I also think that over the last two games Watson has provided faster movement of the ball than Chalobah and Dacourre. He plays it simply and quickly to players in a better position. I think that Chalobah is better further upfield not as defensive midfield. Also I'm happy to go into the season with Mason as backup to Holebas. He'll learn quickly and looks determined. We desperately need a quality striker or two, a centre back and a skilled attacking players as cover for Pereya Out of the boo boys, for me Kaboul is top the leaderboard. I'm going to look at Amrabat again before I consider booing him yet. I don't think that he produced much but didn't do a lot wrong either (was it his cross for Okaka's disallowed goal?) Britos is OK in my book. Sinclair was non existent and Okaka made a huge difference. Janmaat had an OK game but not up to his usual standard. I felt he looked a bit disinterested. Capoue looks like he's lost confidence.
This was what JB said after GT's funeral. https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10155368363116815 Not the words of someone who is completely uncaring. Who knows maybe today he was off reporting on another game today? He does still work in the media does he not?
Yes, he was holding the mic for one of the commentators in the Liverpool v Athletico Bilbao game. But he's cleared his calendar and promises to make amends by being at the Vic next week though.
If you finish 16th 2 points off the the drop that is obviously closer to being relegated than finishing 17th 6 points clear.
These guys would leave before the end of a critical game that was balanced on a knife-edge. That appeal was always going to fall on deaf ears.
It did show a lack of respect. The presentation literally took 5 minutes. On a day to commemorate the great man surely people could spare 5 minutes.
I get where this is coming from, and GOBE's original comment, but I don't think it was a three line whip type of thing. Rita and the family got a wonderful, heartfelt ovation and the pre game part was the key bit, I think. Motson was superb for the second time. Frankly, the game was pathetic, had me reaching for the Dulux colour chart after ten minutes: I don't know what managers gain from 'after you, Claude' pat a cake exercises like this. Whilst in bah humbug mode, appropriate as it was today, I hope that's the last appearance of the 72 minute applause thing; it would soon wear off were it to be trotted out continually over the coming season.
Well he was apparently out in Asia recently as an ambassador for the club.. so quite possibly in Dublin. I guess he gets paid for it.
I agree about the 72 minutes applause but today was an exception. The Trouble is last season was so quiet until that point
Well I enjoyed today overall. As said before - John Motson's speech was very moving, as was the round of applause for GT's family walking to the pitch from the south west corner which coincided with Z-cars and the teams coming out. I saw certain things in the game different to others on here, but it is a game of opinions after all. Amrabat struggled in the first half, but mainly with his positional sense and first touch. His crossing was better - maybe he's worked on it (cue jokes of not very much then)? Improved in the second half. Janmaat didn't help Amrabat much at all - Sociedad had a lot of success down their left. I thought Janmaat looked slow, and a touch heavy. Femenia seemed lightning fast in comparison when he came on, and I'd like to see him start next week. Also supplied some good crosses again. Success looked great running at their defence, but woeful when passing and finishing. His chance - albeit on the volley - was barely 3 or 4 yards out and should have won us the game. Okaka made a difference when he came on. Sinclair got in good positions but just seems a bit weak. Agree with earlier posts here - this is Silva saying get me a centre forward. Pereyra comfortably our most skillful, creative player. He must stay fit if we're to do anything this season. Like all quality players, he seems to have more time on the ball. Overall - Sociedad better first half (not by loads), we were better second half. Gomes had only routine stops to make except for one fierce drive he turned over the bar. Lets not forget the opposition are no mugs, and finished 6th in La Liga. That being said - I think Liverpool will be too strong next week, but I won't write us off after 1 game against a potential top 4 side. We need to score first if we are to have any chance, as we look short up front so far if we're chasing a game. Final positive - clear for all to see that there was much less hoofing, regardless of who was at the back before and after all the changes (thought we looked pretty solid defensively).
I'm assuming the lack of "singing block" is that people bought tickets and didn't want to sing despite knowing about it?
I took the following pics of the past players presentation at half time (I missed the first few due to a bathroom break!)
Not a million miles away from my views. Motson's speech brought a tear to my eye and I have very dry eyes and no heart so that is saying something. To have a well known and respected personality speak so highly about another person means so much and he hasn't been the only one. For anybody to have so many people have so many good things about you after your passing is an achievement in itself. I agree about Janmaat and Femi, Bobby P, Okaka and Success. I don't agree about Sinclair. I also agree with your overall assessment of the game. You can see that Silva communicates with the team well, has gotten them organised defensively and encouraged them to up the effort in the second half.
Agree. Has to be something better to tribute GT than the 72 minute applause. Pre-match. Half time. It is going to become less and less effective if it is retained this season imo.
I agree Femenia looked good. He also appeared to be the fastest player I've seen in a Watford shirt since Bellerin. Why not play him behind Daryl Janmaat on the right instead of Nordin Amrabat, whose final delivery isn't great and who isn't as quick?
Exactly, what happened to the Buddy Holly song prior to kick off that started in February but faded away! It was played today and made an impact with me because of the link to GT. It should become a feature before kick off. This is not a Z C**s replacement request!
