Sarr’s header that hit the post was a definite chance though. As was his goal! Not denying Louza’s positive influence, but we were not totally sterile before his introduction.
The lineup screamed “back to basics. How much more basic can you start out then by lining all the players up and asking “what position do you play”? It doesn’t take a UEFA coaching badge or sporting degree to realise that putting a team out with players in their best positions and a formation to suit said players will influence positive play and results. Edwards dug his own grave unfortunately and it was the right decision to let him go.
Is he? A thirty minute display albeit an excellent one doesn't conclude he's the best player in our squad.
There are two separate issues there. If that had been a PL game with VAR, I suspect Sarr’s goal would have been disallowed for a ‘toenail’ offside, but Sema’s would have stood under the modern interpretation because of the very definite second phase. (The reason the Kayembe goal was disallowed was because Sarr attempted a header from the original cross.) However under the old-style application of the offside rule, Sarr’s would be fine because he was level (by the linesman’s eye) with the defender but both the Sema and Kayembe goals would have been disallowed because they linesman would have immediately flagged for offside in both cases, with the players judged to be interfering with play since they were in front of the goal. I think the problem with offside today is that it is open to many more nuances of interpretation, and therefore more inconsistency, than it used to be - and even more so in the PL with VAR.
Wasn't basing it on his performance at Stoke. Amongst the dross of last season I felt a few of his performances, especially against bigger sides showed he has the potential to be a cut above the rest. He's more important this season to us than either Sarr or Pedro, in my opinion at least
There are 35 games to go!! I think that statement is slightly over the top. We could be level with them in two games time
Maybe Duxbury didn’t think promotion was a must (didn’t he say our finances weren’t too bad ) and really did see Edwards as a long term option ? Wonder if he will be writing in the programme tomorrow- probably have to toe the party line I guess.
That really does tell u all u need to know about our lame duck CEO. Shortly after he said that we had to beg £16m off Udinese to keep our heads above water!!
Moosegasm is entitled to his opinion, surely? And he put it across well and backed up his thoughts. He also wasn't insulting at any point to you so not sure why you decided to lower yourself to that level.
But apparantly true. And are u saying people and things u find odd are somehow less valid than u? or that u r some kind of self appointed international arbiter of oddness?? am I odd compared to u - I really do hope so
Last season he wasn't even a stand-out in our midfield despite the others being a poor Sissoko and Kucka. In fact Sissoko and Kucka each probably had more good games than him. He's clearly better on the ball than either of our current two CMs and will make a difference to us in the Championship, but let's not get carried away. I've not seen much to suggest his top level is much more than say being a Will Hughes regen.
I expect he was given some assurances more fool him perhaps. It's hardly ideal when the RWB given to you is not ideal and you try and switch over the LWB to compensate and the footballing ability of your centre backs is limited to generally hoofing it down the pitch. Or having midfielders at the base who are also relatively limited. He's hardly in a position to say too much either given his experience and background and no doubt muzzled by a NDA for the present. Yes there were things he could have done better but at the same time trying to pin him down as the sole scapegoat is not fair. Those two at the top need to go. Next summer ideally. As for Edwards demanding more power. Well he should have done. I don't think any manager great or small would like to have some interfering minion from upstairs tell them what to do or spy on them. Managers should have input into signings. I don't think there is one successful club that has had an interfering chairman. It all ends one way. Giaretta has hardly been a rip roaring success yet he like the chap from Doncaster gets away with his job.
So it is all about not getting a RWB ? In the reporting structure does the coach report to the DoF? If so presumably the DoF has every right to keep an eye on the coaches work ? Don’t they keep a tight control over coach stats anyway ? Didn’t QSF get in trouble for not meeting targets ?
Fair play to backing the useless Giaretta stooge in your pro Pozzo zealotry. Think you are the first.
I’m sure it wouldn’t. But if he interferes then that’s another matter. You are going to side with the club always so what’s the point we discuss?
I don't always side with the club as you know. I just don't think enough is wrong to warrant "a protest" against the owners. Giaretta observing training didn't seem to be a big issue.
Your attempts to present yourself as balanced is one of the most comical aspects of the forum. You’ve been a Pozzo footman for many years. Your spin about fans reaction to Edwards departure today have been nothing short of shocking. I wish you’d just be upfront about your intentions it would save us all a lot of time and I’d still think you are decent fellow.
I've frequently posted a list of good and bad aspects of their ownership which is why I believe I'm balanced rather than those who use words like "seedy" and "poison" rather than sticking to facts. I haven't "spun" anything and I have no "intentions" other than to post what I believe, both the good and the bad. "A Pozzo footman" ?? You mean someone who on balance thinks their ownership has been good rather than bad ? Probably yes then. As you know it irritates me when posters go out of their way to only see the bad rather than take a balanced view, and there are a few posters who refuse to acknowledge anything positive as it doesn't tie in with their agenda and there are some great examples on the "Protest" thread. It's amusing that there isn't even a consensus of what great wrong-doing such a protest should be about. It's a bit pathetic and embarrassing really, a collection of posters who are desperately looking for a cause, to fill a vacuum in their lives ? Bayat, finances, sacking a struggling new manager and not buying a RWB (amongst a series of great signings and retaining 2 key players) seems to be about it ??
2 things u are overlooking here - i)Rob had a great championship squad to work with and failed miserably ii) we owe Gino £75m that we dont have. If he wanted the money back we'd go into administration. No one will buy the club with our current debt levels. Gino is going nowhere.
I think fans are definitely entitled to protest about the club working closely with a suspected money launderer and running up a 9 figure debt regardless of whether or not they have a vacuum in their lives! The debt is an existential threat to the club. Pi$$ing their pants over RE being replaced by a better manager is bizarre though. I guess they bought into Scott's fairy tale about RE. Gino shouldve given RE a RWB but u r completely right about signings/retentions. The squad is much better than most Watford fans thought it would be. I thought we'd keep JP but was overjoyed about Sarr and our loan signings have been top notch. We may have overpaid for Bayo but at least we bought a striker who looks like he can score regularly in the champo. Better than spending £2m on a dud. I think what the Stoke game showed is the the difference/disconnect between 'Watford twitter' and 'Watford supporters'. Some people were claiming almost all Watford fans were against the sacking based on 'social media'. They are obviously reading the wrong social media if they think that. Watford twitter is primarily a source of entertainment. I particularly like the posts detailing the huge sacrifice of driving a car for a few hours in a 1st world country as a sign of incredible loyalty to WFC as if theyve just completed a solo trek to the north pole. And I liked that hornetta's joke about Watford managers and her body count but what the latest act in the WFC pantomime has shown is that Watford twitter isnt representative of the views of Watford fans and the podcasters are also very much hit and miss. I can't for the life of me understand how Robs sacking was viewed as a much bigger deal than the debt. Makes no sense to me at all. Rob's sacking is already irrelevent, we've already moved on as a club. But that 9 figure debt is still hanging heavy round our necks.
Wow. So people unhappy with what their once great club has become aren’t just frustrated and upset with the ownership. Nope. According to you they are embarrassing, pathetic and have voids they need to fill in lives? Have I got that right?
Yea I agree with pretty much all of that. I e never said fans don’t have the right to protest, I just wasn’t sure that the current situation warrants it, but each to their own.
As you can tell, your insulting post got to me and I responded in kind. It was late, I was tired and so maybe my response was a bit OTT. But why can’t you allow balances responses re the Pozzos rather than just labelling anything remotely positive as Pozzo footman, suspicious intentions, comical attempts to appear balanced etc etc. You used to be a balanced poster with your main concern the finances. Now it seems you can’t accept anyone posting anything positive to counter the stream of negativity which you are in danger of becoming part of.
My main concerns remain the finances and being closely associated with someone under financial crime investigation. If Edwards getting sacked gets more people anti Pozzo then great. Again I don’t think you are balanced at all. It’s as if you are on a constant rebuttal mission across the forum. And I do think your attempts yesterday to say most people agreed with the Edwards sacking were bizarre.
Finances and Bayat concern me too. That’s why I’m balanced . For me they just don’t outweigh the good and so I don’t see why anyone would protest and I expect that’s why comparatively few, if any, will. Regarding Edwards, that was the impression I got from posts. Lots of embarrassment but a general view once the shock subsided that Bilic is a better bet than Edwards was. It would be genuinely interesting to run a poll if this matters so much ? Neutral wording though !! “Was the board right to replace Edwards with Bilic? Yes or No. “ or similar.
Bilic probably is a better bet than Edwards was. But that’s not the point. There will always be a better bet. The idea was of a changing of approach. A chance to build something over time. I suspect finances won’t allow such an approach but I which case why spend ages building up the narrative in the first place (indeed why even make the appointment?). As I say sacking Edwards just gets added to the pile for me, but in terms of reaction of people who are normally pro club: Roy Moore: “Ever the optimist, but today has done me in” Jacob Culshaw: “Rob Edwards deserves so much better” Sam Ucko: “I’m done.” LouOrns (I like this one) “The sooner Gino Pozzo and his gang of &&&&s are gone from this club the better. &&&& off” That’s before we get to people on here. I think it’s indisputable people were angry and upset with the sacking, irrespective of how they may rate Bilic.
