Kucka was remarkably probably our best midfielder today, rolling back the years and putting in his only quality performance since Villa - doesn't mean he's a world beater though either.
Nightmarish viewing in the second half, and with an insane pisstake amount of stoppage time for no good reason, to boot. Could absolutely have seen that VAR handball being given against us, despite it being total bullshyt. What that game looked like was any run of the mill match in the four seasons in which we were perennial lower midtable battlers. One of the best performances of the season, and yet still also full of frustrating mistakes that we could have paid a far greater price for. Our lack of ruthlessness in front of goal is absolutely insane - there should have been no question over the result long before the final whistle with the amount and quality of opportunities we (surprisingly) created today, but our decision-making continues to be poor. Sissoko was imperious; a throwback to his Autumn performances, and hopefully that will continue at what would be a very useful time indeed. Louza seemed to have something of an 'arrival' game, despite making a stupid mistake himself. He played some beautiful balls, and created several moments of play the likes of which we haven't seen for quite some time as fans. Obviously, though, the man of the hour was Cucho himself - he must be at, or pretty close to, our second top scorer suddenly, which is good for him but not a great reflection on King. That being said, King himself did pretty well doing exactly what was needed, using his hold up play and nous, to keep us up their end of the pitch during stoppage time. One of the differences today, particularly in the first half, was a far, far greater willingness to vary the style and range of passing we were prepared to indulge in. We played those short lateral balls to onrushing players, and at the same time also got it out of trouble and into players in space in other areas of the pitch by chipping angled balls over Southampton pressers. That is vital, and means the opposition know they can't just cut off the single most obvious and standard lane and instantly thwart any attempt to break out from defence. We have to focus more on that. The midfield was also more lively, dynamic, and in control, with multiple players cutting of passing lanes and challenging for second balls/recovering it when loose, and without Cleverley in there behind the pace and without any handle on the ball. Thank god for that - we saw both sides of Kucka today, and it was criminal he managed to miss his one-on-one, but he was also a positive presence in general. Leeds winning today was not a good result for us, and I'm really not sure how much this game tells us anything as it stands. I'd say it's a shame that we don't have the opportunity to take this momentum into the next game, but not only is that Liverpool, but we are the worst team in footballing history for capitalising on anything anyway. It is, therefore, perhaps a blessing that we have been robbed of it. What it might just be, though, is a blueprint for that series of relegation 27-pointers we have coming up at home. (Oh yeah, and even as a body sent on to be able to physically move for 3 minutes, Sema was still rubbish and below-par)
Can we call Cucho Mighty Mouse? I cant tell if we were good or Southampton were poor but we defended well. We should have bagged a third from the chances we created, Dennis was poor again and cant really play as a defensive winger/forward. Louza outstanding, Kucka put in some good tackles and his assist for Cuchos second was very good. I have no idea if we are out of the bottom three as I will be watching MOTD later so dont want to know the scores, I am confident a Likely Lads situation wont occur with all the other fixtures being called off though (people aged 45+ will get this reference). I cant believe we are still in with a shout, the torture continues....
Great win. Shame we're so sh*t at home as our remaining home games are very winnable. Cucho must start every game, same as JP. Thought all the players were excellent today, including Kuca (despite his miss). Sarr coming back will give us an edge. Just don't know what the players are going to serve up!
You have to earn respect. Slating the fans who pay good money to watch the team is not the way to earn it. Winning games like that today is a good way to start!
He was had we managed to sign him a few seasons ago. And no I did not say they were world beaters but neither did I say they'll be lucky to make the grade. Kucka's stamina means he can put in the odd top class game but needs time to recuperate. Luckily it's a three week break now. No idea but unlikely if Slovakia pick him for their next matches.
Plot twist! I’ll take it. Happy for Cucho he deserves it for being a loveable little human being who puts it all on the line. I think our attack looks better without King. No natural striker but more invention, more effort, more care, more youth and less loserish mentality. Really glad Roy decided to drop Cathcart & Cleverley, it’s really something when the manager makes the changes a lot of fans want to see. Means a lot. Louza was fantastic, that pirouette on the touch line in stoppage time was gorgeous. @reids special request for a Wyscout clip of that so I can GIF it. Damn you Watford for making me believe again!
Bloody Watford . Just when I’d given up hoping for the unexpected they go and do this . Had packed my rosette, clapper and scarf in the attic for next season. Will have to go and get them down now .
Well I did not expect that today. Not only did we in, but Wolves did us a favor by beating the only side above us and Norwich lost. I have to admit - I was a bit harsh in the preview but having been tonked 0-4 at Wolves who wouldn't be a little salty? I thought we controlled the first half and had them on the ropes for long periods. For once we actually made our dominance pay with two clinical goals from Cucho - who is fast becoming our top scorer this season. But Kucka - we love you but please stop wasting so many guilt edge chances, he had the best chance to put us 3-1 up the break which would of felt a lot better. Having said that, what was Dennis doing with such a needless challenge which lead to their FK just before half time? I can look back and laugh at this now, but seeing Kabasele face-plant himself to the floor trying to stop the goal was pretty funny. Second half was very nervy - but that was expected. Some pretty tame efforts from Southampton as the started to dominate but I think we did well to hold on and deserved the win. Heart in mouth twice though right at the death, as no handball was given against Kabs for a penalty and JWP thankfully missed their best chance to level with a FK landing on the net. Sigh of relief all around after that one. We worked hard but we still look very out of sorts at the back, I mean what 2 minutes in and we have to clear a shot off the line. We looked to start as we meant to go on. Apart from Leeds not dropping points - it was a good day for us around us. Yes we are now level on points with Everton but they have two games in hand (three after next week), although all we can do is keep plucking away and hope to pull of the miracle. At least the table looks nicer to read for a few days. Problem is we have Liverpool next, and I am expecting a pasting. Something that will damage any confidence a hard worked win today may of lifted.
Southampton vs Watford Highlights https://highlightssoccerhd.com/video/southampton-vs-watford-highlights/
Can’t work out if the 3 weeks break is good or bad for us after this result? Getting Sarr back is the obvious bonus but playing Everton next week would be perfect. Unless Frank manages to make them worse over 3 weeks.
forgot about Dennis, you are right he no longer looks like the player from the first half of the season , he was always a bit of a liability with passing but now can’t even score, on he bright side if we can keep cucho ,JP and Dennis next year we should tear up the championship (assumes Dennis remembers how to score again)
You are a staff member, I expect you to carry yourself in a far more dignified manner, dont add to the toxic undertone on here please.
Great win completely out of the blue. Was about to say we need to drop Dennis but we have a three week break coming up.
Was just thinking about that and I reckon it's good. Our track record all season off the back of a win is trash and I'd have no confidence in our players rising to the occasion if we had Everton up next week. A couple of weeks working on the training ground on shape with Roy will do the non-international players good.
Hopefully Sarr gets some minutes for Senegal and injures Salah in the process. If he could take out Mane in training as well that would be ideal.
So next game the front three will hopefully be Cucho, Sarr and JP? I wonder how Dennis will react to being benched?
Got to admit, I'm a bit gutted. It's been a good run for the BWO but the COGs win this round. We will have to keep our powder dry until Liverpool humiliate us.
That's an excellent point - definitely seemed a positive change from our recent habit of always spending an eternity slowly passing the ball along the back line whenever we have it.
Watford manager Roy Hodgson speaking to BBC Sport: "I thought we played well today from the first minute. We weren't doing that badly on Thursday. We're not top of the table, we're near the bottom and when you're 3-0 down players have to show enormous character to get back from that." What game was he watching? We were awful from the first whistle to the final one.
