More results like that, and I might be sharing a beer and a pie or two with Malky, only mine will most certainly have the ingredient of humble in it. To say I was miserable by the time I took my seat would be a gross understatement and I reckon I made Jack Dee look as cheerful as Father Christmas. I’d been fine in the morning, I had the pre-match nerves and excitement and couldn’t wait. But then I started to hope and believe and I knew that wouldn’t do, so I intentionally allowed myself to become disillusioned On the way into Watford, me and Chris briefly discussed football and the goings on, but nothing ground breaking. We moved on to equally morbid topics – the bitterness which is British society/the way people jump on bandwagons thanks to the press and what will end the world first - global warming, the machine in Switzerland, the switching of the magnetic poles or perhaps a huge virus outbreak. At least the season might be halted and with that we were back onto football. On arriving in Watford we went to Walkabout where a quick beer and burger helped numb the nerves and any potential pain that would be inflicted upon us. Was there anything to be optimistic about? Chris felt there was but his arguments were too sensible for my liking. As mentioned last week I’ve decided to be honest/pathetically childish about how I feel rather than denying all is well and good. It allowed me to come out with such gems of wisdom like “three years ago we had lots of potential, now we haven’t”. Also as mentioned I didn’t go to Barnsley or either of the Swansea games, so I had no real way of knowing how we played. I could go on score, and the opinions on the forums alone. Malky said we played well, that the players couldn’t have given anymore and that it was moments of madness that cost us etc etc (especially against Barnsley). After years of Boothroyd saying these words I was sceptical and going on score, being 1.0 and losing both was not good enough. There I’ve said it. Much as I liked Malky as a player, I saw him as Aidy’s number two. The same way I saw McLaren as Sven’s number two. I envisaged no change and going on the order of goals scored in the game I felt this belief was justified. On entering the ground I caught the end of the line up, and my mood was not improved when I discovered Priskin was alone upfront. Why no Hoskins? Caroline said Williamson wasn’t playing which added to my frustration – there hadn’t been any news about an injury. Also Doyley and Mariappa both full backs…interesting to put it nicely. News emerged from Chris that there was no Helguson in the QPR line up because he signed for Charlton – apparently he got the QPR coach but didn’t sign in time so the coach left without him and he had to find another club (in London and playing at home). I’ve seen no evidence of this but I hope this story is true. It certainly is true he is not a QPR player, a quick look at their message boards shows that the announcement on the Bolton website that he joined QPR has mysteriously disappeared. No Cook either despite his big words in the build up. So that left Gavin Mahon to get the winner… Chris had mentioned it was a good time to play QPR. Yes they had a new manager but whilst this normally works against the other team, it might have helped us. What motivation was there for Ainsworth – who apparently led the team talks and the players who have clearly enjoyed playing under him for the past few weeks? I turned my phone off as the game began, at the time I believed there was a logical reason there wasn’t – it was purely to do with superstition. Amazingly we were playing well, really creating problems for QPR by putting them under pressure and created a few good chances. But did I smile – no, I was quite happy being unhappy and cold. Mid way through the half we got a penalty. It wasn’t clear why, but Smith stepped up. The last game I’d seen he’d blasted it over the bar, this time it was superb – calm into the bottom corner – keeper sent the wrong way. Celebration but having had the hope dashed after taking the lead in the previous matches I didn’t allow myself to get over excited. I was prepared to change my mood quite so quickly. Rather than dropping off we continued to press and attack. 1.0 became 2.0 when we got a free kick. Even more amazingly I said we’d score (a possible hint that despite my denials my icy mood was melting despite the cold). Williamson’s free kick was pushed onto the post/hit the post without the aid of the keeper. Harley reacted first hit the ball in low and Ward hit it well enough to plant the ball in the bottom corner despite the crowd of players. 2.0 the most dangerous score line as a Watford fan. We needed another, preferably just before the half time whistle. The QPR defence was being given a torrid time all afternoon, especially the left back and when Smith robbed the ball and laid it off to Williamson there was only one outcome. Again it wasn’t a great hit, and the keeper maybe should have reacted quicker, but who cares, 3.0!! Half time was important, sometime there was the feeling whatever Aidy said at half time wasn’t the right thing. Well what ever Malky said (or whatever Ainsworth said) had the right impact for us. The second half was much the same as the first and was a pleasure to watch. Neat passing moves, over lapping full backs, chances to score, McAnuff taking on players. Priskin shielding the ball and creating room to shoot…it didn’t seem the same team, and that was the key word ‘team’. Hoskin’s came on and the first piece of action saw QPR’s day go from bad to worse. Fitz Hall, clearly frustrated, decided to make a rather rash challenge, and was rewarded with first choice of the showers (though whether our financial position allows us to have hot water I don’t know) Were we good or QPR woeful? A bit of both, but, we’ve played teams equally down beat before and still lost so credit has to go to the players. It’s a shame Saints and Norwich won, but that result meant a lot – if nothing else it made my predictions and comments before kick off look incredibly foolish (but at least I admit them eh?). I quite enjoyed being bitter for the day, it made the win all the more sweet. Before the match I’d been quite envious of QPR’s position, but hearing how the majority of fans feel about ‘the project’ makes me wonder
