Adi Hutter was the manager at Frankfurt while Manga and Costa were there, so that's not a random name at all. Hasenhuttl just kept Southampton in the PL for 4 seasons, so don't think he really counts as "overseas" either. Plus with our new technical director also being German speaking isn't entirely random. One way or another I think it's highly unlikely Bilic will be here next season - they'll be looking for someone. It doesn't seem entirely surprising if they'd use Manga's Bundesliga connections or knowledge for it. Maybe there might also be a good upcoming manager in Portugal that Costa might know about?
Bilic going for the clear penalty excuse. I didn't think it warranted a pen in real time, Davis should have been stronger
I thought we were ‘ok’ . Probably one of our better performances this season in all honesty, considering the opposition . We moved the ball a bit quicker in the first half and had a few decent chances . Louza made a difference but clearly needs to get himself back to fitness . Didn’t really create anything second half. Our final ball wasn’t good enough . For me this is where the run in really starts . We have loads of what should be very winnable matches against average sides, so we really should be pushing for the playoffs now . No excuses from here on in.
Was never a penalty in a million years. I’m sure the usuals will cling to that as the reason we lost and mention that the ref is from Luton or something and is against us despite having the specific chance to cost us promotion against Brighton that time but didn’t.
I didn't even know about this supposed penalty until my dad mentioned it when I called him on the way away from Brammal Lane. Complete non-event in the away end and would be hard pressed to even guess when it happened.
It's absolutely ridiculous how Sema has probably been our best attacker this season. I love Ken but it's absolutely ridiculous. The fact that is the case should show to Bilic there are severe severe issues with the team but no... Keep playing the same players in attack.
Sheffield Utd. Just lost three in a row? Who you gonna call? Never fear, Watford are here to bring any such run to an end.
ten of them staring at the grass, Flapmann flying in to join them while sqwawking 'Away!!' at them at the top of his little birdy lungs.
If there wasn't a clear conspiracy against us by all the refs in this league, we'd have easily 15 more points by now. Nothing Bilic or the ladz can do against that sort of corruption
Looks like it was a tight game. Watford are a functional unit, quite strong on occasion, but far too often we look toothless in attack. Had we scored first, no doubt we’d have either nicked it 1-0 or at least taken a point. But is that really good enough? Personally I don’t think Sheff Utd, or even Burnley for that matter, are all that great. But they do all the small things well. They are consistent and turn up nearly every week. They are well drilled and play with motivation as a concise unit. We have the quality. We have probably 3 or 4 of the best players in this league, but we are none of those things the top sides are. Having quality only works if you have the rest. We don’t. We are just a collection of individuals. For me, with Bilic, was to judge him from Blackburn at home onwards. They have been tough fixtures but I’m disappointed that we look so dysfunctional going forward. I think now is the time to make a decision over the head coach. By that I mean does Gino stick with him regardless in the hope it all finally clicks or do we twist and hire a new coach in the hope that will give us the boost to start winning again. Maybe if a sacking is on the agenda, then it’s best to wait until after Preston next week. That way we can fully judge with a full team against a weaker opponent whether we’ve got what it takes to win 8 of the last 12 matches. Personally I think we don’t, and only a new voice can rejuvenate us from here. But that doesn’t mean I want Bilic to go. I’d be quite happy to keep him. write off this season and go again next year. But Gino and the finances probably cannot afford such luxury. So I’d be interested to see what happens re Bilic certainly if we fail to win next week.
Well that was disappointing. Easy journey up and down and a nice balti pie. Plus “the ****** in the red” and his poor Mrs. Made it tolerable.
God knows how Davis missed the opportunity from what seven yards out, must have not anticipated the ball coming across. Huge, huge opportunity.
I don’t think he’s lazy, it’s just any sudden movement and his hamstrings will go. So he has to protect himself to be available to miss chances in future games.
It's been a few years, but I'd forgotten about the Eternal Optimism of the Regular Away Fan. A great turnout, but we were shyte.
I repeat. Bilic, Bachmann, Okoye, Kalu, Davis*, Kayembe, Bayo and Manaj will not be with Watford next season. Perhaps a fee for Bachmann, the rest go on a free transfer. Sarr and Pedro to be sold, though we will not get as much as expected by a long shot. Time to rebuild for survival next season. *Davis is a loan, but is as useful as a goalscorer a chocolate teapot. He missed two easy chances today. First one, he had an 'air shot', then tried to claim he was pushed. Second one, he was totally switched off and was unaware - hopeless. All the Unions and their Strikers in the Country at the moment and we have one who crosses the Picket line.
One bloke was so drunk at half time he had to be carried through the councourse by a couple of people and had to be supported just to stay vertical. By the end of the second half I definitely envied the guy.
Envy the fellow full stop. If we all showed that dedication by 4pm on a Saturday we could all heal fhe wounds of our miserable existences!
I’ve said this for many managers, but it’s worth repeating. Football short term is a game with a huge amount of luck and variance, where you can outperform the result a single performance deserves. Long term however, you won’t. I was one of the first to point out on here, the Christmas we were doing well under QSF, that we were in for a massive fall, as we were relying massively on Ighalo outperforming his expected stats as if he was one of the best strikers in the world. Points are of course pivotal to league position. But at the end of the season, performances lead to points. And we are an absolute mess of a team. Defensively, we are cut apart with ease. In attack, we are ponderous and lacking ideas. We are a terribly coached team, with no patterns of play and no cohesion. 11 individuals trying hard but not being anywhere near as effective as they could be. If we had won today with the same performance, I’d honestly give the same response.
Positives: Choudhury superb. Also productive going forward alongside his usual defensive efforts (he's exactly what we need and I really hope we sign him up). Both CBs decent, own goal aside. It's refreshing to see us comfortably playing out from the back, even if our front line doesn't match it...
Negatives: made a couple of saves, but Bachmann is ****. Not seen a defender take goal kicks outside of Sunday league. The one he did take he shanked out of touch. Davis is utter ****. Truly woeful forward. Sarr continues to be the most overrated footballer on the planet. Utterly useless, lazy and anonymous, last 5 minutes aside. He's a waste of a shirt and can't wait to see the back of him. Pedro and Sema quiet, Louza not quite there yet (but still the best midfielder on the pitch when present). Being surrounded by pre-pubescents vaping in my face all game.
Should add that Morris actually looks like a footballer. I was skeptical for the first couple of games, but he's really matured
Unlikely we can get rid of those players on a free without paying up their contracts or a significant part.
