Double plus good. Lots to like about the performance in terms of team spirit and pressing but also some lovely passing moments in the first half. I think this is the playing reset we all wanted. Yes we can and probably will go on a bad run at some point but the overall trajectory is good. I think we will be a solid mid table finish but also think we have a chance of the playoffs.
Two games this week have been rather fun. Think Ismael is doing a brilliant job with the squad available to him, several players showing marked improvement which has to be put down to his coaching and tactics.
We just seem to have become a fair bit more normal these days (apart from the Manga affair). It’s still taking some time to get used to it! Seven weeks hard work pre-season (rather than an overseas jolly playing friendlies with teams who have little relevance). A smaller squad, giving the impression that we don’t have too many unhappy players (although I think we’d love to see Healey involved more). Players getting a decent run of consecutive matches and starting to grow in confidence (Kone, Kayembe etc). A Head Coach not fired after ten or so games, despite his slow start. And while we are by no means anywhere near perfect, a run now of only one defeat in nine. Yes, we sure seem to have become refreshingly more normal these days. Although with Pozzo in charge, we’d better add the proviso * for now!
Thanks, but shame there's not the actual Hull stream footage of when it went in live - that's just got the replay.
All depends on the draw of course, but bearing in mind we are on a decent run and seem to have finally cracked the away problem too, I quite fancy us for a good cup run in January. That long dressing room meeting at Sunderland could yet go down as the turning point of the season, although only time will properly tell.
I think I'd have wanted the pen if the roles were reversed. Their bloke got the ball past Livermore and then there was lower leg to lower leg contact. Definitely a penalty earned but not so much it was a dive.
Clear pen I thought. Referee was a huge part in the game being so enjoyable, thought he was excellent at letting the play go and set expectations for both sides. Think the only thing he got wrong was somehow not giving the bear hug on Bayo late on but guess he interpreted it as both holding each other (certainly wasn't the case as Bayo realised a lot quicker where the ball had gone and could've ended up with just the keeper to beat).
Val is steadily building a team that is greater than the sum of its parts. I can't remember the last time a Watford manager did that.
They say that eventually a football team mirrors the managers personality He may not have the technical combinations but you wouldn't want to fight Valerian Ismail !!.
Didn't see any of the game as at work today. Sounds like we put the effort in and it's surprising how often that's enough. If we had a 2 twenty goal strikers to tie everything together we would be real contenders. Hoedt is becoming a bit of a Watford hero isn't he. He's come with Harry Maguire like reviews from Southampton fans and has a gaff in him (remember that OG?) But I think Watford 2023 and Wesley Hoedt are good for each other and he's reaching his potential at last. It's also noticeable that Watford 2023 are a team that are a likeable group who work hard. That's IV that is and I like it. Might not finish top 6 but the saying "all fans want is for the team to give 100%" rings soundly true.
I didn't go today . Obvs. Preston is next away day . However the bare minimum for a footballer is to give 100% for the fans . If someone gives the maximum then that is good enough , I can deal with mistakes. This team\squad is starting to mould into a team that cares Let's hope so !!!
If this is so, then it is of great importance. And is, of course, what I and a truckload of other supporters have been calling for for years: A coach given time and having the nous to help young players to improve their games.
A disappointing day for the bedwetters, who do seem very quiet at the moment. I am sure they will be hoping for a poor run so they can mess the bed again soon
I know. Took me nearly two hours across Yorkshire from Ilkley to Hull. Plymouth's going to be quite a trek.
Great result. I felt today might be one of those "indicator" results - on paper we'd lose but one nil would be ok'ish, 4 nil would say OK the Norwich game was a fluke (type of thing). To come away with a win was massive and the team is definitely progressing. That's all I need at this point in time...
Brilliant away day, fully deserved victory too. We soaked up the pressure well towards the end with a flat back 5. Hoedt's goal was world class and Hamer looked solid. Porteous grew into it but made another howler in the build up to their goal. Can't believe other posters praising the ref? He literally could not have given hull anymore free kicks if he tried yet didn't even give a free kick for the rugby tackle on Bayo at the end. Glad to be back home in the warmth of 3 points.
Sounds like a great away day. We tossed up between this and Leicester . Guess we picked wrong . Glad you back home .
Hull manager says they were better in every area . Unfortunately for him not in the one area that matters.
An excellent win. The manager is doing well with his limited squad and the players care. Zero pressure now in a couple of free hit games. Wouldn’t be surprised to see us give Saints or Ipswich a bloody nose. Great team spirit for first time in ages!
