[Archived] Why no Watford thread? Watford v Rovers, 25th March, KO: 7.45

[thenodrog]

Tell you what that's a stunning header from a Rudy

And from a relatively direct 'punt'

We should be going direct more often, Robbo can hit the penalty spot everytime let him do it and get Rudy on it

Gestede is brilliant in the air. BUT..... Careful Tom .... else the Anti Allardyce brigade will mark your card good and proper. Our know nowts don't like hoof ball here rem.

I had almost as many touches as Rhodes and I was up in row p. When he did get a touch he was absolutely terrible with it. It's not an exaggeration to say we played with 10 men tonight.

Now your for it.......you 'hater' you.

[Neal]

Ok facts - you are right about Leicester match - it could have gone either way - but so could the Burnley match (all but for the thickness of a post). Very ordinary Watford side - is this the same side who in their last 5 home matches hadn't conceded a goal and won all 5 ?

BTW - I will agree that one match isnt a good sample size - but it is usually the number of matches we need to lose before people call for Bowyers head - so thought if it is good enough for them !

I can't say I agree. The fans have given a fair crack of the whip, it's almost the end of the season with ours somewhat already finished and our manager has only just decided that the only way to progress in this league is to attack teams and press from the front like we did tonight. It's too late, another missed opportunity with regards to tonight and this season. I was was right behind our manager up until the Forest (a) game and nothing changed since that game up until the 2nd half against Leicester. Thats what my frustrations are based on, we've ambled through this season and I think many other would agree.

This league will be even more difficult next season by the way but there are those that will carry on regardless with blind optimism.

[Parsonblue]

It seems to me that some supporters are emulating our owners mistakes! We once had a very solid manager keeping us mid table in the Prem but thats wasn't good enough for the owners was it?

'Monkey see.... Monkey do' as they say.

Don't remind me theno. Mid-table in the Premier League on a shoestring budget wasn't good enough for some. We had to have pretty football and a good manager thrown out by the bunch of clowns in Pune and, sadly, a number of fans thought that was a decent decision!!!

[thenodrog]

Still a firm believer that a more crafty veteranesq manager would be picking more points up- but it remains a fact that the shysters will never employ the sort.

All in all. Happy with a point at Watford. We need to string some good performances together and we at least have a manager who has made SOME excellent decisions and COULD develop over a decent amount of time. It could be, and has recently been a lot worse.

I'll go with that.

[jim mk2]

Don't remind me theno. Mid-table in the Premier League on a shoestring budget wasn't good enough for some. We had to have pretty football and a good manager thrown out by the bunch of clowns in Pune and, sadly, a number of fans thought that was a decent decision!!!

Don't get me started. It still makes me angry now. One of the worst decisions in the entire history of this famous old football club.

[DE.]

Don't get me started. It still makes me angry now. One of the worst decisions in the entire history of this famous old football club.

And now we've got some sense of order back at the club after a dismal few years, people want to throw it all into chaos again.

[thenodrog]

I can't say I agree. The fans have given a fair crack of the whip, it's almost the end of the season with ours somewhat already finished and our manager has only just decided that the only way to progress in this league is to attack teams and press from the front like we did tonight. It's too late, another missed opportunity with regards to tonight and this season.

You don't appear to have learned anything from the Allardyce years have you? Big Sam only took the shackles off the team once safety from relegation was virtually certain.

[JBiz]

And now we've got some sense of order back at the club after a dismal few years, people want to throw it all into chaos again.

Don't get me started. It still makes me angry now. One of the worst decisions in the entire history of this famous old football club.

Don't remind me theno. Mid-table in the Premier League on a shoestring budget wasn't good enough for some. We had to have pretty football and a good manager thrown out by the bunch of clowns in Pune and, sadly, a number of fans thought that was a decent decision!!!

All echo my sentiment

[broadsword]

So is it unbeaten in 3 - hurrah!

or

a win rate of 33% - sack the manager!

that's the kind of crap kean took a slating for

[jim mk2]

And now we've got some sense of order back at the club after a dismal few years, people want to throw it all into chaos again.

It wouldn't necessarity be chaos if it were the right man, and by that I mean an experienced manager who is proven at this level. Talking of which, what's Malky Mackay doing?

[Neal]

I wonder what other fans would make of this messageboard? Are we still talking about Allardyce? Change the record because it's bloody boring.

To the now: We're bang average and apparently we should all be happy about it.

[JBiz]

I wonder what other fans would make of this messageboard? Are we still talking about Allardyce? Change the record because it's bloody boring.

To the now: We're bang average and apparently we should all be happy about it.

Why one extreme or the other. Mildly content is a term I'd use. Could be a lot better/worse. 12 months ago it, going away to sheff Wednesday staring down the barrel of league one was worse.

[DE.]

It wouldn't necessarity be chaos if it were the right man, and by that I mean an experienced manager who is proven at this level. Talking of which, what's Malky Mackay doing?

Do you think it's likely Venky's will appoint the right man? If so, why?

[McClarky]

And now we've got some sense of order back at the club after a dismal few years, people want to throw it all into chaos again.

What order? We've signed 19 players his year. We are as out of control as ever.

[blueboy3333]

You can tell this bloke stands there and grades his players performances rather than managing his team. Bloke is a coach and a decent one but a football manager? No, never, ever. We're going backwards, we're not progressing like people say. I'm fed up with people coming out with this positive drivel based on absolutely nothing. We're a pushover team, with no spine, wet lettuce, with no identity.

You know what? The only people who have brought stability to this club this season are Venkys. It's been their decision to let him have a crack of the whip and he's failed miserably. Gaz hasn't brought any sort of stability at all, he's just been allowed to do a less than mediocre job without question. This means in no way am I giving our owners any praise but just pointing out to those so eager to keep playing the "he's brought stability card" a wake up call. Open your eyes, you're talking absolute boll*cks.

Stop talking drivel. We've just come from behind twice away from home to a team that hasn't conceded at home in 5 matches.

As for 'Gaz' we were nailed on certs for relegation last season till he took over. He saved us. This season we've never been in danger of relegation, and have instead flirted with the play-offs. Bowyer has done this whilst having to completely rebuild the team. You do understand all this don't you? Rebuilding a whole team doesn't happen overnight. What were you expecting? Automatic promotion? And how is finishing higher than last season not progress?

The earliest time to judge him is next season when he has his own players bedded in, injury free and playing the way he wants them to. If his signings are anything to go by so far then i'd say he's done a pretty decent job.

.

In summary, to quote you, 'Open your eyes, you're talking absolute boll*cks'

[jim mk2]

Do you think it's likely Venky's will appoint the right man? If so, why?

They have had many chances over the past 3 years to appoint experienced managers who were available, so no I don't

[blueboy3333]

Decent enough point but a huge change to close the gap missed

we have closed the gap. Forest, Reading and Brighton all lost. Don't let the facts get in the way though.

[jim mk2]

BOWYER LAMENTS HANDBALL CONFUSION

Blackburn boss Gary Bowyer called for clarification of what constitutes handball in the penalty area after his side secured a dramatic 3-3 draw against Watford at Vicarage Road.

Rudy Gestede's stoppage-time header snatched a point after Cristian Battocchio looked to have won the game for the Hornets with two minutes remaining.

But the Blackburn boss thought the penalty awarded against Todd Kane for handball that allowed the home side to level at 2-2 was a key point in the match.

He said: ``We were comfortable at 2-1 and the penalty changes the course of the game.

``Our lad is stood two yards from (Ikechi) Anya when he crosses it and the ball hits the hand.

``We need to clarify, for the sake of the game, what is handball in the penalty area because you guys, you report on it and one week it's not been given and one week it has been given. We need some clarification because it changed the course of the game.''

Watford made the early breakthrough when Marco Cassetti fired home but they were pegged back midway through the first half when David Dunn equalised.

Dunn turned creator to set up Craig Conway to give Rovers the lead in the second half but Troy Deeney's controversial penalty and a late breakaway goal from Battocchio looked to have secured a home win until Gestede's late leveller made it 3-3.

``We were good,'' said Bowyer. ``You look at the quality of our goals tonight, our goals have been excellent.

``The first one's an outstanding finish from Dunny, the second one's fantastic footwork from Dunny and sets Craig Conway up and the third one is an unbelievable header from Rudy, who was unplayable all night. He caused them no end of problems.

``We gifted them the goals.

``The first one we've not marked properly, the second one is a penalty that we've just discussed and the third one is a counter from our free-kick where we should have defended that one better.

``But overall we've come to a team that have won six out of the last six at home without conceding a goal and scored three goals and could have scored more.

``We're making giant strides but we've got to be more ruthless and see the game out.''

Hornets head coach Beppe Sannino was left to lament another case of what might have been as his side paid the price for conceding yet another late goal this season.

He said: ``I'm very disappointed but in English football you have to pay attention to the last, last minute of the game. This is the rule of English football.

``We nearly won this game but it was not only this game. Since I joined the club there were many games we have dropped points in the last five minutes of games. This game reflects Watford's season perfectly.''

Sannino admitted his team had struggled with Blackburn's direct approach, and added: ``Tonight I think the Blackburn goalkeeper was the assist man of the game because he was throwing a lot of balls in the box from all positions.

``Their strikers are very physical and they caused a lot of problems with long balls in the box. I knew that Blackburn could cause us problems physically in the box and, in fact, we were struggling in this aspect but I'm disappointed because a football team three minutes until the end should defend differently and to see the match [through to the] finish.

``I'm sure that if we could finish the match 10 minutes before we could be in a very different position and much higher in the table. And this is my big disappointment for the club, the supporters and for my players.''ds

[Neal]

Stop talking drivel. We've just come from behind twice away from home to a team that hasn't conceded at home in 5 matches.

As for 'Gaz' we were nailed on certs for relegation last season till he took over. He saved us. This season we've never been in danger of relegation, and have instead flirted with the play-offs. Bowyer has done this whilst having to completely rebuild the team. You do understand all this don't you? Rebuilding a whole team doesn't happen overnight. What were you expecting? Automatic promotion? And how is finishing higher than last season not progress?

I asked earlier "when was the last time we won from conceding first" and the last away game was Millwall last year... We still didn't win tonight? You do know that?

To you second point... I've always said he deserved a crack at the job after what he did last season. He's had it and we're mid table. When was the last time we were actually in a play off position exactly?

"And how is finishing higher than last season not progress?"

Lets see if we beat last years points tally first eh lad?

[No Nay Never]

Each to there own, but personally I fully back Gary Bowyer. I see the Bournemouth game and the ensuing fall out from it as a turning point. It's obvious we have an average squad with a few talents (Conway, Cairney, Evans, Marshall, Rhodes (in terms of scoring), Hanley, Killa (at this level). All except Rhodes and Hanley have been signed by GB, and I suppose you could argue that Hanley has been nurtured by him. Also obvious on the last 3 games performances is that the players are still playing for him.

[DE.]

What order? We've signed 19 players his year. We are as out of control as ever.

If we were out of control we'd be plummeting out of the league.

It's been a turbulent season in terms of incomings and outgoings, but it was always going to be. Gary had an almighty mess to clear up and little resource to aid him financially or otherwise. This summer should see a trimming of the squad and players brought into key positions we are lacking in. If we still have a horrendously bloated squad by the start of next season I will be irritated, but I think we'll see some real streamlining this summer assuming we don't go into liquidation. As I've said in previous threads I will be more critical of Bowyer next season as I feel we're now building on a solid foundation (or as solid as can be with the owners in mind) and he should be able to give us the consistency we've been lacking over the course of this season. Hopefully we're a little luckier with injuries next season too. Having the likes of Robinson, Cairney, Marshall, Evans and Hanley fully fit for most of the season would be a huge boost.

[somersetrover]

Back at my hotel now, very enjoyable game and the draw was probably a fair result on the balance of things. Conway was very good again can't wait to see him and Marshall on opposite wings. Williamson and Evans were good again, surely Bowyer must now have seen that Lowe holds the team back and that Williamson is a much better player than Lowe and plays better without Lowe. Lowe should be 4th choice hopefully 5th with a summer signing in there behind Evans, Cairney and Williamson.

Rudy could and should have scored 4 goals on his own, sadly he is not a natural finisher and if those chances fall to Jordan we would have won the game. However Rudy was a presence as always in the air, particularly late when we went more direct and he got the goal that his all round performance deserved.

Overall there has been a very good reaction from the players since the Bournemouth game and there is defiantly cause for optimism for next season despite what the doom mongers on here would have you believe. Looking forward now to a few days break in the Capital now before the game on Saturday.

[blueboy3333]

progress progress, progress, that's all I ever hear by some posters, stability, bla bla, bollucks, this is a really mediocre league full of mediocre teams, a decent manager could/would have rovers in a play off place with these players.

Oh dear, all i've heard all season on here is how @#/? players are. Rhodes, Henley, Hanley, Willo, Lowe, Kean, Eastham, King, Kane, Marrow, Judge, Dann, Best etc etc etc have all been castigated as being 'garbage' (even Marshall and Gestede when they first came) But now it's changed to the players are good enough and it's the manager who's @#/?. Interestingly though it seems the top performers in the team now are the ones that Bowyer has bought (Killa, Gestede, Evans, Cairney, Conway, Keane and a few weeks ago marshall).

It's all very confusing, i just don't know who to blame anymore.

[old darwen blue]

Back at my hotel now, very enjoyable game and the draw was probably a fair result on the balance of things. Conway was very good again can't wait to see him and Marshall on opposite wings. Williamson and Evans were good again, surely Bowyer must now have seen that Lowe holds the team back and that Williamson is a much better player than Lowe and plays better without Lowe. Lowe should be 4th choice hopefully 5th with a summer signing in there behind Evans, Cairney and Williamson.

Rudy could and should have scored 4 goals on his own, sadly he is not a natural finisher and if those chances fall to Jordan we would have won the game. However Rudy was a presence as always in the air, particularly late when we went more direct and he got the goal that his all round performance deserved.

Overall there has been a very good reaction from the players since the Bournemouth game and there is defiantly cause for optimism for next season despite what the doom mongers on here would have you believe. Looking forward now to a few days break in the Capital now before the game on Saturday.

Have a nice few days pal, it's always good to hear views from fans outside the local area. Heres hoping for three points at the Wall.

[Jimmy612]

Went tonight. Few points I'd make.

I couldn't believe how we started. We didn't have a recognised right winger and Watford spotted it within about 3minutes. Kane was completely exposed and Evans and Dunn appeared to be arguing over who should be covering across. Their goal came from that side initially. Dunn lost his man to let the cross in and Spurr had let his man across him to prod home. Awful defending.

Anyway, credit to Bowyer, he shifted Conway to RW and we instantly looked more balanced. Not sure how because it left us with no LW.

Gavlar: you thought Spurr played well? I thought he was poor, particularly in possession and going forward. He's slow, has a crap touch and can't pass. Throw ins are useful though.

Kane was just as bad. Got stitched up a couple of occasions and seems to lack confidence when going forward. Little bit blind alley to me.

Kilgallon and Keane generally dealt well with Deeney and other lad who drifted out wide quite a lot, again recognising our lack of a winger.

Williamson was tidy on the ball generally but really lacks the ability to see the game. He keeps hold of it for far too long. He's got a league one thought process IMO. Played well within his capabilities though.

Evans drives me mad with his passing. At times he seems to get the simplest of passes wrong, literally 10 yards. First half particularly he made 3 or 4 hopeless passes. He's a good lad though, up and down and likes a challenge. He's not a world beater but he's solid.

Conway played well. Just unfortunately might lack a yard of pace which is a shame. Very decent player at this level though. Tidy on the ball, works incredibly hard, good set pieces and seems to have an eye for goal.

Dunn - he's far and away the most talented played on the field and do I wish he was 22 again. Lovely controlled finish for the first and brilliant play for the second. I feel far more comfortable when he has the ball at his feet and genuinely makes you feel like something could happen when he plays. Was blowing out of his arse after the Conway goal and should have been taken off. Think Taylor must have shagged Bowyers Mrs - he should be seeing more game time than this.

Rhodes - never ever looked like getting into the game. Huffed and puffed for the first half with perhaps one or two nice touches to feed the ball out wide. I've said it before, he chases around but that really is the bare minimum you would expect from any striker. The problem he's got is that he seems happy to be beaten by defenders, almost as if he gives up. Second half completely anonymous. I'm wondering if he had a shot all game? I can't believe a lad with so much ability in front of goal can be so completely crap at every other aspect of football.

Gestede - such a handful for the opposition all game. Could and probably should have had more than one. Think he went through and saved by almunia in the first half and then perhaps headed over when almunia was in no mans land. What fantastic header though! Excellent in the air and not bad back to goal. Showed some super touches to find Dunn or Conway etc. He's not perhaps the most technically gifted but he was by far and away our biggest threat tonight.

Bowyer - I'm really intrigued by this formation of one winger and three cm's, including Dunn. He's almost asking Gestede to play left wing which is a travesty to be honest. Fair enough, he spotted his mistake and stifled their left hand side by moving Conway over.

He seems to not want to make a change, ever. Tricky tonight because we were playing relatively well and seeing more of the ball. Rhodes should have been taken off and so really should Dunn after an hour.

Final point. What on earth is this 'everyone back' mentality on corners? We've just seen a perfect example tonight of how to counter attack from a corner (watfords third), and when they got a corner we had 11 men in our own box. Stupidity IMO.

I am frustrated by Bowyer in many ways. I want us to have a manager that can recognise opportunities and change the side accordingly. He doesn't seem to have that. Only problem is..... Who do we appoint and how can we trust those numpties to make the right decision.

Oh.... Point was probably just about fair, although we edged it in terms of performance.