5:04pm Saturday 16th January 2010 in
A 93rd minute Heidar Helguson penalty could not end Watford's winless run which was extended to six matches after a 2-1 defeat at Doncaster Rovers.
The Hornets have now not won since the televised 3-1 victory over QPR on December 7th as a Sean O'Driscoll-inspired Rovers made it five wins in six.
Dean Shiels gave Doncaster a deserved lead in the first half and although Watford fought back in the second period, an excellent Gareth Roberts volley with less than ten minutes to go meant Helguson's spot kick was too little, too late.
Watford were on the back foot for much of the first half and Don Cowie was the only one to test Neil Sullivan in the opening 45 minutes with a tame stab at goal midway through the half.
Tom Cleverley, Henri Lansbury and Danny Graham all had shots at goal blocked but it was the home side who had the best chances.
Rovers could have opened the scoring in the third minute when James Coppinger's shot was parried by Scott Loach into the legs of Billy Sharp six yards out, but the striker was unable to divert the ball goalwards.
The impressive Shiels dragged a shot wide a minute later and also forced Loach to turn a curling shot wide of the post soon after.
Loach was arguably the Hornets' best player and had to tip a Coppinger cross over the bar and palm a Sharp header away.
Sharp, who has scored eight goals in his previous nine games, will also know he should have tested Loach with another chance before the break but he dragged his effort wide.
Watford could have taken the lead within 30 seconds of the restart when John Eustace attempted to lob Sullivan but the veteran keeper made a diving save.
It was Doncaster, however, who took the lead on 50 minutes when Coppinger back heeled the ball into the path of Shiels, who had got goal side of Lee Hodson, and after turning inside the full back, he slipped the ball between Lloyd Doyley's legs and past the diving Loach.
Shortly after Gareth Roberts had shot wide, Sharp forced Loach into another save, although it was comfortable for the England Under-21 international.
Watford had a decent chance when Cleverley picked out John Eustace at a corner but his volley was once again deflected.
The Hornets were on top for a while and when Sullivan tipped Lansbury's 30-yard strike over the bar, Helguson had a header from the resulting corner saved by the Rovers' keeper.
Shiels almost grabbed a second with a powerful strike at goal but Loach again parried the ball away.
The 21-year-old keeper then denied Sharp again moments later when the striker turned on the edge of the box.
Watford's best chance of the game unfortunately fell to centre back Mariappa. Helguson knocked down Doyley's long ball but Mariappa's volley was over.
The result was all but secured on 83 minutes when left back Roberts found the top corner with a 25-yard volley.
The visitors almost pulled one back in the final minute of normal time when Cleverley's cross was diverted onto the bar by Mark Wilson under pressure from Helguson and Liam Henderson.
Watford set up a tense finish when Helguson converted a 93rd-minute penalty after Hoskins was brought down but they could find the equaliser.
Doncaster Rovers: Sullivan; Chambers, Shackell (Hird 74), O'Connor, Roberts; Wilson, Stock (Spicer 74), Oster; Coppinger (Webster 86), Sharp, Shiels. Subs: Guy, Smith, Hayter, Heffernan.
Watford: Loach; Hodson (Henderson 86), DeMerit, Mariappa, Doyley; Cowie (Bryan 73), Lansbury, Eustace, Cleverley; Helguson, Graham (Hoskins 60). Subs: Lee, Bennett, Harley, Jenkins.
Comments(67)
V.o.R
says...
5:16pm Sat 16 Jan 10
ghosthorn
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5:18pm Sat 16 Jan 10
Rick Holden Forever
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5:20pm Sat 16 Jan 10
a1derek
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5:31pm Sat 16 Jan 10
Rick Holden Forever
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5:34pm Sat 16 Jan 10
hogweed
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5:35pm Sat 16 Jan 10
Ellaye263
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5:44pm Sat 16 Jan 10
cliff46
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5:59pm Sat 16 Jan 10
Hornet Cornet
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6:03pm Sat 16 Jan 10
Feff
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6:04pm Sat 16 Jan 10
sceptic
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6:09pm Sat 16 Jan 10
cliff46
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6:11pm Sat 16 Jan 10
cliff46
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6:21pm Sat 16 Jan 10
Rick Holden Forever
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6:33pm Sat 16 Jan 10
Only 2 Ross Jenkins
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6:34pm Sat 16 Jan 10
V.o.R
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6:37pm Sat 16 Jan 10
cliff46 wrote:We were as knackered financially before, then our 2nd most successful worked the miracle........
Rick Holden
As usual you write mostly rubbish , although I do agree with your description of neil Price!!!
The mismanagement and dereliction of duty is down to Simpson and Ashton and Boothroyd.
What is it you don't understand about the words--WE DON'T HAVE ANY MONEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
watters84
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6:42pm Sat 16 Jan 10
Only 2 Ross Jenkins
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6:45pm Sat 16 Jan 10
V.o.R wrote:Wrong!
cliff46 wrote: Rick Holden As usual you write mostly rubbish , although I do agree with your description of neil Price!!! The mismanagement and dereliction of duty is down to Simpson and Ashton and Boothroyd. What is it you don't understand about the words--WE DON'T HAVE ANY MONEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!We were as knackered financially before, then our 2nd most successful worked the miracle........ Your argument does not stack up. Also by not getting results and playing utter tosh will not bring the badly needed revenue of the supporters either away from home or back at the Vic, this was a fixture i would have gone to in the past. We are in desperate trouble. We are so in need of Joe Royal
smalon
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6:51pm Sat 16 Jan 10
Romford Hornet
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6:56pm Sat 16 Jan 10
Feff
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6:57pm Sat 16 Jan 10
Yellowfever
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7:14pm Sat 16 Jan 10
The Rover
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7:20pm Sat 16 Jan 10
Billie
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7:21pm Sat 16 Jan 10
V.o.R
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7:49pm Sat 16 Jan 10
ceebee580
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8:08pm Sat 16 Jan 10
south/west hornet
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8:32pm Sat 16 Jan 10
Billie
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8:35pm Sat 16 Jan 10
V.o.R wrote:The things GS and AB got up to certainly have no place in heaven vOr, let alone being created there.
Clutching at straws there bile.....# Although the Lord is by no means the answer to our woes, he saved us from administration and is actively seeking investment,, 2 things that the R'soles cannot claim fame for. The Old silver Fox single handedly saved us and proceeded to give us premiership football. It all went wrong without G.S & A.B a match made in heaven, which should have been given more time, the same time you're asking of MM!
jluck14
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8:42pm Sat 16 Jan 10
grahamwfc
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8:48pm Sat 16 Jan 10
Billie wrote:loved marketing - subtle Billie very subtle NOT
V.o.R wrote: Clutching at straws there bile.....# Although the Lord is by no means the answer to our woes, he saved us from administration and is actively seeking investment,, 2 things that the R'soles cannot claim fame for. The Old silver Fox single handedly saved us and proceeded to give us premiership football. It all went wrong without G.S & A.B a match made in heaven, which should have been given more time, the same time you're asking of MM!The things GS and AB got up to certainly have no place in heaven vOr, let alone being created there. I hear AB loved marketing. Am I right or am I right.
PeteHerbert
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8:49pm Sat 16 Jan 10
Rick Holden Forever wrote:What on earth are people talking about? Sack Mackay! What an absolutely pathetic response to our current situation. We are in a slump, but a few weeks ago we were playing attractive football and were flirting with the playoffs. He has brought in some talented footballers and has worked well in difficult circumstances.
Bring in Tommy Mooney as an assistant. He would lift the club and the dressing room!
I would still love to see Kenny Jacket in the job, with the likes of Gibbs, Luther and Cotton as assistants. It would give the club the lift it really needs.
Jacket has gone on to prove himself to be a good manager and i'm sure we'd push for the play offs under his guidance. Yeah i know what people have said about his first spell in charge, but he had even less to work with than Mackay. He has the experience and i'm sure the backing of the fans.
Who is Mackay? Three years ago he was still a player. And i'm sure that is part of the problem, he doesn't seem to command any fear or respect in the dressing room. He is a soft touch with a charisma by-pass. If his team talks are as dreary as his post match interviews, its no wonder the players are not fired up and performing.
He should have been appointed with an experienced number 2 on a short term contract. I said months ago in a previous incarnation that this was a monumental mistake.
Yes we've played some good football, but it is not winning football and this team doesn't appear to have any guts or character. We all got deluded by some early victories but they seem in very short supply as the season really begins to kick in.
We are faced with a resurgent Sheff Wednesday, Ipswich and possibly Preston.
What we need is a manager who can instill confidence and belief and who isn't afraid to bring some experience into the team.
I don't care what Graham Taylor has said; he is wrong, and very wrong at that. He was out of touch with the modern game in 2001 and is very much more so today.
Let's use the compensation from Rodgers to bring in Jackett and Gibbs and give the fans something genuine to cheer about, rather than some misfit who scored his first goal in ten years.
The hype over Doyleys first goal was a real barometer as to how far this club has sunk. Could you imagine Brian Clough allowing that? Exactly. And it is this lowering of expectations that is allowing the likes of Mackay to take this club into freefall.
Please no abuse, lets have a snesible debate. I respect loyalty, but not blind loyalty. We''re in big trouble, but i really believe we don't have to be.
Surrey Horn
says...
8:54pm Sat 16 Jan 10
The Rover wrote:Well said Rover, it's good to see there are some people on here talking sense.
OK, the recent run of results has not been good but we are playing with a mainly inexperienced youth team, and have no money to bring in any decent players. Given what MM has inherited firstly you have to compliment him for taking the job in the first place (knowing there were no funds available and players needing to be sold), and you have to agree that the league position we are in right now is better than anyone would have predicted at the start of the season. Pre-season I thought that being outside the relegation zone at Christmas would be a good position to be in and we have exceeded that easily. The league is so close that a couple of wins could move us back into the play-off positions, and there are a lot of worse teams than us in the league so I would say that relegation is a long way off, and to be talking about relegation is a bit premature. Support the team and believe or sod off and support someone else!
Derek Payne
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9:13pm Sat 16 Jan 10
stevemag
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9:21pm Sat 16 Jan 10
luther blissett
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9:27pm Sat 16 Jan 10
WFC4ever
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9:46pm Sat 16 Jan 10
WFC4ever
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10:31pm Sat 16 Jan 10
SuperNova
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11:21pm Sat 16 Jan 10
jluck14
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11:31pm Sat 16 Jan 10
Billie
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11:43pm Sat 16 Jan 10
grahamwfc wrote:You have a penetrating mind Graham
Billie wrote:loved marketing - subtle Billie very subtle NOT password blue-movie sorry move!V.o.R wrote: Clutching at straws there bile.....# Although the Lord is by no means the answer to our woes, he saved us from administration and is actively seeking investment,, 2 things that the R'soles cannot claim fame for. The Old silver Fox single handedly saved us and proceeded to give us premiership football. It all went wrong without G.S & A.B a match made in heaven, which should have been given more time, the same time you're asking of MM!The things GS and AB got up to certainly have no place in heaven vOr, let alone being created there. I hear AB loved marketing. Am I right or am I right.
derry pigweed
says...
11:56pm Sat 16 Jan 10
V.o.R wrote:Retard
Clutching at straws there bile.....# Although the Lord is by no means the answer to our woes, he saved us from administration and is actively seeking investment,, 2 things that the R'soles cannot claim fame for. The Old silver Fox single handedly saved us and proceeded to give us premiership football. It all went wrong without G.S & A.B a match made in heaven, which should have been given more time, the same time you're asking of MM!
WFC4ever
says...
12:16am Sun 17 Jan 10
ceebee580 wrote:Well clearly we don't WANT to go down but if we have to cut the wage bill and other costs just to ensure the club can carry on in whatever league then so be it.
I unlike some on here tonight have been to doncaster today. I have to say that the team were second best in all areas of the field. How we can carry on with the current defensive line up and expect to stay up beggars belief. OK we have no money but why engage another midfielder when we only have one centre back and play two full backs who are out of their depth. It seams to me our ambition is to get relegated cut the wage bill some more and stew in div 1 for a couple of years. Todays performance was not good enough for this division and we would stuggle in div 1 playing like we did today.
Holly68
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1:10am Sun 17 Jan 10
Grinns
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6:53am Sun 17 Jan 10
smalon
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7:12am Sun 17 Jan 10
Grinns wrote:Moron.
MALKY OUT NOW!!!!!!!
enlightened one
says...
10:36am Sun 17 Jan 10
Oxhey Village Hornet
says...
11:15am Sun 17 Jan 10
bomber18
says...
11:58am Sun 17 Jan 10
Rick Holden Forever wrote:It's sad to read such utter nonsense.For what it's worth these are my comments.We keep drivelling on that we have no money but most teams in our division are skint.We keep saying that we have a young team yet our best players are teenagers,albeit loan signings.Would we have criticized MM if by a miracle he had signed Cleverly as our player? Jobi was almost hounded out of Watford,yet did you see him against Liverpool?What is he worth now(what a shrewd signing by BR)How many of you were yelling that MM should have got the job ahead of BR and yet are now saying he is too inexperienced! As for saying that before the season started we were relegation candidates,how did we know then who we would sign on loan? I agree about Mooney but as a 10 minute substitute player(maybe being helped from his wheelchair) but not as a manager.I have long said that our "owners" have an hidden agenda regarding the developement of the Vic but not as a football club,rather as a retail park.So for the next 5 years enjoy going to Vicarage Road,I'm afraid its days are numbered.In the meantime we will not be relegated and will see exciting games this season by the Golden Boys.
1 win in 8, haven't won away since October, 38 goals conceded, a team full of kids and misfits (Graham surely has to drop to the bench) only 6 goals scored in the last month. 2 points out of a possible 15. If that form continues we will be lucky to hit 50 points and we will surely be relegated. I look at the fixture list and can't really see where the next win is coming from. Mackay is clearly out of his depth, there is no fear factor in the dressing room, he clearly cannot instill belief and i cannot see this team turning this form around as long as he is in charge. I accept there is another two weeks left of the window, but the need to strengthen the defence is a matter of urgency. The longer he takes, the more points we will continue to lose. We must sign two new defenders and very quickly. We also need a striker with pace and if that means off loading Graham then so be it. Hoskins, moreover, must start in place of Graham next game. Graham Taylor may drool over a relegation battle being acceptable, but this is a complete cop out and i for one find the comments of the Chairman offensive. I am also concerned that, should relegation happen, the current management would be allowed to remain in the job. Watford football club seems to me the only institution in the world where failure is acceptable. Mackay has to go and go quickly. Anyone cheering his name is doing this club a disservice.
Hornet Cornet
says...
12:16pm Sun 17 Jan 10
WFC4ever
says...
12:24pm Sun 17 Jan 10
rookerynook
says...
1:11pm Sun 17 Jan 10
V.o.R
says...
1:20pm Sun 17 Jan 10
Billie wrote:Stop it!
grahamwfc wrote:You have a penetrating mind Graham
Billie wrote:loved marketing - subtle Billie very subtle NOT password blue-movie sorry move!V.o.R wrote: Clutching at straws there bile.....# Although the Lord is by no means the answer to our woes, he saved us from administration and is actively seeking investment,, 2 things that the R'soles cannot claim fame for. The Old silver Fox single handedly saved us and proceeded to give us premiership football. It all went wrong without G.S & A.B a match made in heaven, which should have been given more time, the same time you're asking of MM!The things GS and AB got up to certainly have no place in heaven vOr, let alone being created there. I hear AB loved marketing. Am I right or am I right.
lutondown
says...
4:04pm Sun 17 Jan 10
Oxhey Village Hornet wrote:Yeah, well I'm critising the performance and I witnessed it.
I bet most of you were pleased to see we lost so you could post all your negativity on here. I was dissapointed to see we had lost as I support Watford FC. - You should try it!
givemwatfor
says...
6:00pm Sun 17 Jan 10
WFC4ever
says...
6:49pm Sun 17 Jan 10
lutondown wrote:Don't think we're too keen to play Sadler for money reasons but then that begs the question..why have him on the bench or not give the Travner guy a go?
Oxhey Village Hornet wrote: I bet most of you were pleased to see we lost so you could post all your negativity on here. I was dissapointed to see we had lost as I support Watford FC. - You should try it!Yeah, well I'm critising the performance and I witnessed it. As I did against Chelsea. I expected us to be raring to go after that performance. I like Malky, good honest guy, but he's the boss. We are all seeing the same thing Hodson out of his depth. Sadler sitting twiddling his thumbs. Harley always out of favour. Hoskins overlooked ('cept 2nd half yesterday). Being the boss means it's really down to you to change thins when they aren't working. Also is the return of Demerrit coinciding with our poor form? Marrimuppet and he do not communicate well and as captain he would do well to stop looking at his feet and think about the ball he's about to kick. Aint booing yet but feeling pretty despondant
Richard - Come On You Golden Boys!
says...
7:18pm Sun 17 Jan 10
Only 2 Ross Jenkins
says...
7:27pm Sun 17 Jan 10
Richard - Come On You Golden Boys! wrote:Absolutely spot on, especially the points regarding Mackay's attributes.
As always, a defeat brings an onslaught of ill-considered and reactionary abuse towards the team, the manager and anyone else connected with the club; most of whom are working hard to pull things around. Perhaps the nonsense orchestrated by the Russo's Bros in December, that took us to the brink of Administration, has had more of an impact than we realised and has adversely affected our performances on the pitch. We are certainly playing poorly, without much confidence at the moment, although as one of the more sensible posters has already pointed out; this is virtually the same team that destroyed QPR & Sheff Wed with such style not so long ago ; they haven't become bad players or manager overnight. Malky is a young manager but has had a strong footballing education and knows this division inside out. He also has good contacts and is well respected by his fellow professionals within the game if not all the posters on this site. Our squad includes some very promising youngsters and a few experienced Pros; we cannot expect table-topping performances week in week out. So let's show some common-sense, a little patience and be realistic with our expectations at the current time. Let's just support Malky and his team 100% through this difficult patch, rather than this constant carping and criticising. That's what "supporters" are supposed to do isn't it? No I'm not just a happy clappper and do think we need a couple of additions or changes to freshen / strengthen the side, but I'm sure Malky can see this for himself. So why not give them a chance to turn this bad run around? You might be pleasantly surprised. Oh yes, I notice the "weakened" Chelsea side played rather well against Sunderland this week. I realise we froze and played very poorly that day, but maybe the opposition was quite good and it wasn't all down to us? Just a thought.....
ab11uk
says...
9:56am Mon 18 Jan 10
getafix
says...
11:20am Mon 18 Jan 10
getafix
says...
11:24am Mon 18 Jan 10
GeddingtonFlap
says...
12:38pm Mon 18 Jan 10
garston edl
says...
2:16pm Mon 18 Jan 10
ab11uk
says...
2:38pm Mon 18 Jan 10
Iveco Kit any day!
says...
3:04pm Mon 18 Jan 10
ab11uk wrote:yeah, fair do's.....
Hahahaha god Iveko Kit im gonna start making stupid posts for MM out if thats the reaction Hilarious.
By the way you can get plenty of buy one get two free at certain supermarkets so to be honest if you didnt get 30 quids worth then yes you deserve to be kicked out!
MM In! Man in supermaket out!
WE8BR
says...
3:11pm Mon 18 Jan 10
b.kelso
says...
4:27pm Mon 18 Jan 10
Richard - Come On You Golden Boys! wrote:Richard...Well said young man!
As always, a defeat brings an onslaught of ill-considered and reactionary abuse towards the team, the manager and anyone else connected with the club; most of whom are working hard to pull things around. Perhaps the nonsense orchestrated by the Russo's Bros in December, that took us to the brink of Administration, has had more of an impact than we realised and has adversely affected our performances on the pitch. We are certainly playing poorly, without much confidence at the moment, although as one of the more sensible posters has already pointed out; this is virtually the same team that destroyed QPR & Sheff Wed with such style not so long ago ; they haven't become bad players or manager overnight. Malky is a young manager but has had a strong footballing education and knows this division inside out. He also has good contacts and is well respected by his fellow professionals within the game if not all the posters on this site. Our squad includes some very promising youngsters and a few experienced Pros; we cannot expect table-topping performances week in week out. So let's show some common-sense, a little patience and be realistic with our expectations at the current time. Let's just support Malky and his team 100% through this difficult patch, rather than this constant carping and criticising. That's what "supporters" are supposed to do isn't it? No I'm not just a happy clappper and do think we need a couple of additions or changes to freshen / strengthen the side, but I'm sure Malky can see this for himself. So why not give them a chance to turn this bad run around? You might be pleasantly surprised. Oh yes, I notice the "weakened" Chelsea side played rather well against Sunderland this week. I realise we froze and played very poorly that day, but maybe the opposition was quite good and it wasn't all down to us? Just a thought.....
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watters84 says...
5:15pm Sat 16 Jan 10
obviously Malky has been done on his
blindside also!