Foster isn't doing us any favours with his blatant time wasting is he? All the refs have his card marked from early on in games. Very noticeable how the ref pointed to his watch in the first half when Foster was messing around. I think it led to those unnecessary extra minutes at the end of the first half.
Presumably those criticising Pearson for his attempt to win the game by making attacking substitutions are the same people who wanted QSF out for his overly cautious approach. Today was disappointing and frustrating but we're 2 points from safety with 13 games left to play, so do try to keep a sense of perspective.
Really couldn't believe how bad Everton were in the first half. Was desperate to get to half time with the 2-0 lead as didn't think they'd play like that in the second half. Didn't expect us to gift them to goals just before half time. Noticed Chalobah holding his back quite a bit at the start of the second half ... so, I guess it was a precaution to take him off. We lost our composure, we became far too desperate for the win, and Everton started breaking much faster as the game progressed whilst we hoofed it into a packed defence. Don't care how good Gerard is, his attitude stinks - walking around the touchline in a strop and ignoring kids trying to wish him well or high-five... the way we morphed from a good premier league team to a relegated team was really worrying ... at this moment I'd say it's Norwich, us and West Ham that are going down. But, who knows ... perhaps we'll beat Brighton, and Liverpool's run will end here ...
I don't blame Pearson for making attacking substitutions to try to win the game, especially when Everton are a man down. I blame the club's supposedly brilliant 'brain trust' - the guys who seem to read their own headlines and believe their own hype - for leaving Pearson with Isaac Success as the option on the bench. That's embarrassing for Giraldi and co.
Chalobah went off with a back spasm according to Big Nige. It’s like Nate has an injury up his sleeve for every occasion.
Strange how there was 2 minutes signalled for extra time at the end of the first half and yet their second goal was scored after 4 minutes had been played add maybe a minute for their first goal, but I’m surprised no one else has mentioned the whistle should have been blown before the corner for the second goal was taken!
A great first 44 minutes What followed was a shambles. Panicking to give away corners, not defending 2 corners. A bizarre decision to take Chalobah off, the man who was giving us control and calm. Not bringing Hughes on when we needed creativity and a stronger work rate Not having a single effort on goal in the last 20 minutes when they were down to 10 men Not having any nouse to work out of Keane has come on to man mark Deeney and cut out the flow forward, then we needed to expose the wide spaces Sucsess Pereyra - so talented, so gifted, creates moments of magic and exceptional skill, but has never ever put a MOTM performance in. When things get tough Robbie becomes a liability, we cant afford that. You can't be in our position and throw away a two goal lead at home - it simply isn't good enough
People saying it’s obvious the owners want out hence spending no money, surely if we get relegated we will not be such a valuable commodity and they will get a much lower price!
Seems so - easy to say now I guess but maybe Hughes might have been a better option to help keep the ball and pass to the strikers rather than Success who didn't control anything and got booked within minutes of coming on.
Fuss about nothing. Times here: http://wfcforums.com/index.php?threads/the-great-escape.56574/page-16#post-2824715
Ah, fair enough. I thought that substitution was crazy at the time. Was there not another centre mid he could have brought on? The change in shape gave you much less control
Yes, we chased the game trying to win it and for me that's fine. What bugs me though, is the number of times we've conceded late goals like this or had a man sent off 'taking one for the team' when the opposition counter attacks us.
Will Hughes the obvious choice. And I’d like to think he was fit enough to play some part as he was on the bench.
Will Hughes who until injury had been very good in his natural role rather than shoved out wide. Guess you are pretty happy with Carlo although giving away too many goals and the usual defeat to Liverpool (sorry!!)
It's best to just forget about Liverpool to be quite honest. Very pleased with Carlo so far. He's having to work without a central midfield worth talking about and we've really only had one poor result under him so far (the home draw against Newcastle). We are now 3 points off 5th place and we were in the bottom 3 when Silva was sacked. 1st half today was the worst we've played under Ancelotti so far (if you don't include the 2nd half of the cup game against Liverpool). Watford caused us huge problems in that first half today.
The two late goals in past two games were from us originally having possession (throw in) Is this true? If so, why are we not launching the ball as far as possible?
An old gripe but why not have a man on the post at corners? Cathcart clearly lost Mina for the goal but the header would have been cleared by a man on the line.
People are having a pop at Pearson over his substitutions, and that was something the Leicester fans questioned him about too when he was their manager. He's not a particularly good reader of the game and I don't think he's a master tactician. Where he is strong is in motivation. After the last two displays against Villa and Everton, there has certainly been a slip in the performances levels. This is nowhere near the level they were at in previous games and this is a worry. There were all the warning signs. We miss the penalty against Spurs, and it's pretty much gone to pot since that very moment. This is what happens to Watford. One small thing goes wrong, then we go into this freefall run of form. Again, this is what is happening here. The problem is, Watford players are able to lift their performances levels for a short period of time, but it's above their natural ability, so is very draining, fragile and cannot be maintained for a long run of games. If we fail to beat Brighton next week, you can bet your life we'll lose the following two after that as well. That would mean Spurs D, Villa L, Everton L, Brighton D/L, Man Utd L, Liverpool L. Just 2 points from those 6 games. On the back of the season we've had, it's pretty fatal really. No ifs or buts. We cannot lose next week. But, in all honesty, I think it's too late now, and thought this after that last gasp Villa goal. Whatever power Pearson had over the side when he came in has gone now. We look like that hopeless shambles we were under Flores and Gracia. How many more times can we bounce back? No Sarr = no chance. He has to play against Brighton, we have to risk him. It doesn't really matter at United or Liverpool because we'll lose those anyway.
Simple, we don't deserve to stay up! We've shown over the last 2 league games we have a squad full of 'Bertie Big Bollox' who clearly don't want to fight for their Premier League status! To lose to both Villa and Everton having been in commanding positions in both games in absolutely disgraceful! I'm going next week, no idea why, and I fully expect to see the same pathetic drivel served up. No guts, no passion, no energy, no will and no brains!! Oh well.
Good sweeping statement picking up some points. What is your real proof the players think the job is done, rather than conjecture?
13 games to go. City (h ), Arsenal (a ), Chelsea (a ), Liverpool (h ), United (a ). How many points from those? ZERO. So you've got to try and win 6 of the other 8 games. Not going to happen. IMO. I can see 4 more wins and a couple of draws. 37 points and that's being optimistic.
Disagree, respectfully. Arsenal, Chelsea and United are all winnable games. There is nothing about them this season and they have dropped points against teams they should be beating. Rashford is United’s biggest threat and he will be out. I watched the wolves game today and we can beat them. Think we will pick up at least 4 points in those three games. Starting with United after the break.
The Villa winner was from a free kick given away by Deeney whilst today we had a throw in as you say which someone as usual failed to control and the rest is history.
Proof is a strong word but the evidence is there for all to see. Same players as last season so no excuses there. Dropping leads in added time against Villa, Everton and Tranmere after a string of excellent hard-working performances. Bad luck can happen but this is becoming a pattern.
They are all winnable games, just like Villa and Everton were, but we're not going to win or even draw any of them. We're just not good enough. Only 5 wins in 25 matches. The Pearson bounce or uplift is over and there is no more roll of the dice. Our only hope is Sarr gets back very quickly and hits the form he was playing at before the injury. We cannot improve the defence or midfield. We're just now in the realms of hope rather than rational expectation. We can of course win every remaining match theoretically, but we won't. There's nothing in the make-up of this current side that makes me think we'll survive. The last two performances have shattered my belief and I suspect the belief of a lot of people, including players, that we can stay up now. What we need to do is far too tough for this team of players to achieve, but I respect your optimism, albeit misplaced.
Just seen the goals. What on earth were we doing on the third goal? We have a throw in. We don't even throw the ball into the 6 yard box, but to just outside the 18 yard box. It is a bad throw as well. Why didn't we waste time in the corner. Ok, it's awful control by Masina. We leave two against two at the back and we are in the last minute - crazy! One them is Theo Walcott. He is faster than anyone we have, plus Richarlison. What the f**k were the Watford players thinking? Utter stupidity. Sunday morning football by Watford. A total joke. Mr Pearson had better look at this and tell them that Under 10's would not make such an error. We need points. 1 would have ok, if not only for confidence in avoiding a defeat. We have to realise that we are in a battle of the strugglers. We are a poor side and we need to survive this season and hopefully correct the errors and throw out the deadwood in the Summer.
