Everyone is entitled to their view. It has nothing to do with 'real fans' or vetting. It has everything to do with being around 'negative people'. Which I rather wouldn't be ta very much. In case some of it rubs off on me. The usual suspects have been nipping away for weeks now. And then in the hour before k.o. it turned into an effing torrent. Today was a joyous day. If we'd lost it would have been a sad one. So what exactly is the point of assuming a sad day in advance an hour before k.o.?
The atmosphere in the stadium was overwhelmingly positive from minute 1. You need to bear in mind people like to sound off on the forum. And the shoutbox is just a place for us all to act like bell*nds.
Had the same sort of comments on BBC Final Score with "Watford will struggle", with the usual ignorance and lack of homework done by the pundits. C'est la vie. If they had done their homework thay would see that Watford, particularly in the final third of last season, are big on team spirit and working within a team framework, and if you've got that then you're got a chance against 'on paper' stronger teams that under-perform, just like Sean Dyche does with Burnley (but without the thuggery and gamesmanship).
Can’t complain about anyone today. Every player put a shift in even WTE’s missed pass was fortunate to look like a good one as it went to a yellow shirt. Their first goal which was a great finish caught us off guard as we’d just made some subs and Massina head went at the end after having a really good game I thought. Hopefully learn more from those 2 conceded goals than the 3 we scored. Think we have a new cult hero in the tractor was my man of match excellent performance hustling about winning the ball then calm in possession Looking at the starting line up I was predicting a miserable day. But how nice it is to be proved wrong. Sarr destroyed them first half we have to keep him at all costs. Way to introduce yourself Cucho hope to see lots more of that, him and Dennis do a great job defending from the front. Great result needed this today now let’s build and have this fast start that I believe is needed more than ever this season Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
And that Cucho is terrible as well. Without Cucho winning 2-0 With Cucho lose 1-2 Don't get me wrong, it was great to see these new players ahead of TD.
Great post and evidence of how, on a total one way street, the BWs will admit fault and celebrate being wrong. Wait for the first defeat of the season and see how few COGs admit they screwed up.
I do generally dislike being in this league, it's for the most part a depressing slog. However I could rarely get excited for any win last season, even the Millwall one. The difference of winning a game in the Prem vs Championship is miles apart. Feels like 3 wins at once
To say I was perplexed by the starting XI is an understatement and I was thinking a draw would be an excellent outcome. It was a grafting setup to my eye with a pass to Sarr and hope feeling. Bloody hell though, Kucka and Sarr take a bow. Big shout to Etebo and Dennis too while Cucho already has GotS wrapped up with a pretty little bow. Masina was solid excluding his brain fart whilst Cathcart was getting undone once Bailey came on but up to that point hadn't done too much wrong. Kabasele was very good with some important tackles and headers in the box. We do need at minimum another CM as Gosling was a critical reason why we regressed but can't be upset with the game today no matter what.
I'm gonna jizz over this win and say your name when I spurt and there's nothing you can do to stop me.
I thought the way the club organised the occasion today was excellent in a respects. Best wishes to your Dad. I hope he’s back in his seat soon.
As we found out, 2 seasons ago, as soon as you think you're established, then the complacency sets in, you get a few bad results, confidence goes, and you're in big trouble. You did get the impression from outside the club that all Villa had to do was turn up and they would win. Every goal, every point has to be grafted for and earned, which makes today's result and performance even sweeter.
Delighted to be proven totally wrong today on how I thought things would pan out. Lovely. Also, switching the visit to the throne to the start of the match, rather than the end, paid dividends. Looks like I've tied myself down to a new season routine again.
But... But... But.. I don't understand... We lost to Palace in a pre-season friendly last week. COYH!!!
I totally agree points are priceless and have to be earned before they are yours! New hungary players, new to the huge awards of staying in this league might just give us the edge over some of our competitors!
As opposed to feeling pig sick after that game. It's good taking people who have never been to a live game before just to see and hear their reaction during and after the game. Hope she wants to go again.
My car journey to the area usually takes around 40 minutes, today one hour 40 minutes got to our seats in the first minute, boy it was worth it!
I'm not surprised at the result. We have strengthened in midfield and up front, and we already had one of the best defences in the league last year, kept our best players and it looks like we've managed to retain keep the team spirit that was clear towards the end of last season. Sarr still seems up for it, which is a good sign and we now have a group of forwards that are fast, unpredictable and have technical ability. Personally, I think that is a big reason why we kept Villa down to only two shots on target. Fear at the back means they couldn't go all gung-ho and throw everything forward. That said, our defence was rock solid apart for Masina's brain fart (after a good performance by him for 94 minutes). Even their first goal wasn't really a chance as much as a brilliant goal out of nothing. We defended in groups, overpowering their forwards, but because of our speed and potential up front we didn't look as if we were playing defensively. What a debut from Cucho. If Pogba had scored that goal the pundits would be on about it for hours. Hopefully, the coaching staff get him to cut out the theatrics as they did with Sarr last year, it was embarrassing. And both Etebo and Kucka had excellent games, who will both get better as they get used to this league, in my opinion. Although fully entitled as it's a free world, I couldn't understand the histrionics and outright damnation and criticism of Cisco on here after the line-up was announced. Sierralta is the pick of the bunch but we don't know his fitness, and both Cathcart and Kasabele are very experienced defenders, both internationals, and more than capable most of the time. And at the other end, Sema is seasoned player and an International, who also rarely lets us down, getting the nod over a young, excited potential debutant who has never played here before in what may well prove to be the most important game of the season. If he had started, made an early mistake giving the ball away leading to us conceding a goal, it could have set the lad back a few weeks, cost us 3 points, and Cisco would have got slated for not introducing him more gently. I think Louza is a good player, and with both he and King still to contribute, Fletcher, Rose Ngakia and Kiko too and perhaps Chalobah, we are looking like a good strong squad. A long way to go, and there will be ups and downs, but my pre-season prediction of a 9th place finish isn't looking too bad - if we retain our positive spirit and confidence.
What a result, felt so good to be back and a pretty decent atmosphere. Absolute mare for the Deeney lovers! The 'orns are staying up!
Fair enough. I agree the stadium atmosphere was superb throughout. Maybe not too difficult as we went 3-0 up though? Luckily I never look at the shoutbox when I'm at the game. I have in the past when I'm not there. But will desist from doing so in future. It never changes and it'll just depress me. I thought Kucka was one of our m.o.t.ms. today. Immense throughout. Along with Sarr who 'tore them another one' (in the first half particularly) and Dennis, Etebo, Cleverley and Sema weren't far behind, the latter two putting in a full shift despite their detractors on here. The back four performed admirably too denying them many opportunities. Cathcart has performed better at RB than CB for some time now. So it wasn't exactly the line some were expecting then was it.? Masina did well too until his finishing faux pas. I'll make an excuse for him there too (although it was up the other end and I didn't see it properly). That attack of theirs down their right had left two of our lot on their arses already and Masina simply lost his bearings a bit? McGinn's effort was a 'worldy' as was our new man's in his first minute on the pitch! Bachmann was solid throughout but whyever doesn't a keeper sometimes stand his ground for a pen.? Ing's effort was straight down the middle, straight out of the 'Troy catalogue' and if Bachmann had simply stood there he could have tipped it over. There must now be some mileage in doing that given how many pen. takers take the 'Troy option'? Anyway, see what I did there? Saved my critique to a post-match, post-mortem. Obviously far easier to be positive across the board after a performance like that but I can assure you I'd have been perfectly prepared to be a bit negative if we'd f.cked up and lost. But not in advance ta very much. Others on here have commented on how being a counter-attacking team might be our best option this season giving the lighting fast options we now have upfront. I agree. That football can be very exciting. Far better than trying to match a team of ball-playing, technically gifted players on possession stats. and trying to compete with them in some sort of midfield borefest. That particular statistic is now very much a 'busted flush' i.m.ho. Lestah, Chelsea too sometimes, Leeds, Wolves of a couple of seasons back and Brentford last night don't/didn't seem to be too bothered about it. Loads of teams win football matches these days with a deficit of possession. But don't sit TOO deep. Keep the high press. Finally, what a magnificent tribute to those of WFC who have lost their lives to Covid-19 over the last 18 months and to 200 of the staff of the hospital at the back of the GT. Their 'march past' stretched around three sides of the stadium at one point and was raucously applauded throughout. You could see how much they appreciated it and the ongoing assistance we have given them over the last 18 months. We always do this sort of stuff really well. All credit to the Villa lot who joined in enthusiastically too.
Terrific result and a very entertaining match (which might not be last on MOTD!). Watford really won it in the first half - I was very surprised to see how unprepared Villa appeared to be: Did they really mean to give Sarr the freedom of the park? And they didn't seem up for it in the way that Watford were. I'll bet knowledgeable coaches hearts must sink when they view the fixtures list and see they are away against a newly-promoted club first game. Ask Arsenal, too. I suppose Sarr will get MOTM in the media and I can see why; but for me Kucka (Spelling?) was: His was a mountainous display of toughness, skill and reading of the game. Possibly I'm just highly relieved there is at least one replacement for mid-field absentees. Of course, he's 34 and that will probably show itself during the season, and indeed, during each game. Also, he might just get the odd yellow card or two.. Plenty to be pleased about from every performance today, but additional special mentions for Etebo, Dennis and also Cleverly, who for me ran his heart out making things happen for other players, despite what others on here seem to think.
We're 2nd on MOTD! After Man U/Leeds. Can't wait for the (ahem) 'analysis'! Oh and Fernandes is my captain in the FPL so a good day all round!
