I didn’t believe TUT when he said early this season that Hughes chose Palace over us because they had much better prospects of being in the Prem next season, but clearly he was right Funny how the gap can get that much bigger just from spending one season in the Championship, same with Brighton and Villa (although it’s not so surprising with the latter as unlike the latter two they’re a far bigger club than us).
In fairness, they do also have more money than us, including a fresh injection from new investors, are more established in the Prem for a (frankly) significantly longer period than us, and have an ownership group that is making smart and dynamic decisions all over the playing and coaching staff. The polar opposite of us, really.
Weird though that all these clubs easily find a ‘fresh injection’, even Burnley. But not us. Maybe investors base the attractiveness of the club on how our fans look.
Maybe I can make up for all the goals I've cost the club with my negativity by getting down to the Vic very visibly, then
There’s no way a footballer makes a decision about his career based on the season after next. They are young men for whom a year is a long, long time. The decision will have been made based on the immediate prospects, including the comparative terms of the contracts he was offered.
This. Also although we don't know the exact ins and outs of it - the Hughes contract issues went on for too long and probably made the situation worse. No doubt his agent was ringing around to get him out of Watford before Gino tied him down to a five year deal. I was happy to see him go further his career, even it was the stripey nigels.
There's no way we're making up eight points on Brentford with nine games to go. Would think it more likely we don't even reach their current points total.
Also a bit depressing that after today's result at Spurs, the big six whatever the gap in quality between the top two and the rest will likely be the top six come the end of the season. Losing at home 3-2 to Leeds (especially after being 2-0 up) and to Brentford kind of sum up why West Ham and Wolves probably won't make top 6.
I think @Burnsy has repeatedly said the actual fact of the matter is we wanted him to sign a five year deal and he wanted a three year one instead.
Southampton not being awarded a penalty last Sunday goes against your argument. Lots of big teams have been relegated in the past ....Leeds have only recently got back in the Prem.
Everton had a man sent off just this week and were denied an obvious penalty v Man City but guess the latter are a top 6 side.
Seems that these Stop Oil protestors are quite determined to disrupt Premier League games. Given we've been utterly ***** after any breaks this season (medical emergency, injuries, floodlights), fully expecting us to start the game quite well, everyone be pleasantly surprised how well we're playing then someone to cable tie themself to Foster's goal, us lose focus and get steam rolled.
I remember just one game where we came back stronger after a long break despite having Arlauskis in goal - Villa away in 2015-16, though it was helped by the fact that Villa were horrendously ***** (only Sunderland and Derby had picked up fewer points, and Huddersfield after that).
And in the case of Palace specifically a chairman that supports the club. The other clubs seek investors where as from what understand our owners take on debt, with debt being the cheaper option.
Might be the last time our fans get to see the stadium for a few years so it's worth the trip and a few photos for sentimental value.
That 0-0 in the cup was the best goalkeeping performance I've ever seen by any keeper. Tony Coton was out of this world. We got battered in that game and then lost in the replay thanks to that diving **** Rush and the ref, Roger Milford who I've never forgiven. In fact did he send Rostron off that meant he missed the cup final as well?
I would take this result (Bob Paisley's final game in charge). What a team Liverpool had playing that day! Watford were not so bad either. https://www.lfchistory.net/SeasonArchive/Game/1340
We'll lose by 7 but my main concern is that someone will dress as a banana and a few others will inexplicably bring vegetables to the game. Not surprised it's an early kick off, has the potential to get very rowdy indeed. Hope it's properly policed.
I see the state funded parasite Lawrenson was playing for them. I wonder if he predicted a Waford win for that game ?
I was in my teens at that time and following the hornets from overseas, having left Watford a few years earlier. That was when they were at their peak and it was a time where you had to rely on MOTD or the Big Match to see the highlights. Must have been fantastic to be at the games live at that time. To my embarrassment, I have little or no recollection of Martin Patching, who scored that day. I do clearly recall the sense of pride at beating the champions elect and securing 2nd place. In the almost 40 years that have passed since then, the gap between the big well financed clubs and others has increased dramatically. Having said that, Watford are a much bigger entity now than they were back then.
We were in for Olise in the summer but spent too long trying to haggle a bargain basement transfer fee. Olise was keen to come as well...
You would have remembered Martin Patching if you had been there that day. His goal was a terrific shot into the top corner past the leaping Grobbelaar. He was a decent signing from Wolves when GT was upgrading the team in Div 2, but by the time of this game his career was coming to an end due to a bad knee injury. In fact it was a real surprise when he appeared in Ross Jenkins’ testimonial game the previous Monday (4-0 v L*t*n). However he did well enough to earn a place v Liverpool and the goal was his greatest moment in a Watford shirt. (He also played and scored in the 7-1 game v Southampton.) He hung on for a while the next season but soon had to retire from the game.
