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Third straight league loss for Hornets (From This Is Local London)
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Craig Mackail-Smith penalty sends Watford to defeat against Brighton and Hove Albion
9:46pm Tuesday 18th September 2012 in Latest Sport By Anthony Matthews, Group Sports Editor
Watford slipped to their third straight league defeat after losing 1-0 at home to Brighton and Hove Albion in a hard-fought clash at Vicarage Road tonight.
The Hornets have cause to feel they deserved at least a point from the match but while they created numerous opportunities, they didn’t create anything particularly clear-cut. Full debutant Fernando Forestieri went closest when he hit the bar and, crucially, the hosts also had two strong penalty appeals turned down.
By the same token though, the Seagulls could have won by a wider margin had they had their finishing boots on because they opened up their opponents at the back on several occasions, with former Hornets wide man Will Buckley usually the cause of the danger as he sought to make the most of mistakes.
As it was, the game was settled four minutes after the break when Craig Mackail-Smith smashed home the one spot kick that was awarded after being fouled by Daniel Pudil.
Gianfranco Zola made two changes to the side that lost 2-1 at Bolton Wanderers on Saturday. Marco Cassetti and Forestieri both made their full debuts, with, perhaps surprisingly, Lloyd Doyley dropping to the bench, while Sean Murray was injured.
The Hornets were quickly out of the blocks and almost created a chance straight from the kick-off. Jonathan Hogg swept the ball out to Forestieri on the left, he found Matej Vydra who in turn picked out Chris Iwelumo in a central position on the edge of the area. The Hornets skipper was briefly in space but in switching feet he gave the Seagulls defence the chance to block his shot.
The hosts continued to push forward with purpose, with a dangerous Pudil cross from the left almost picking out the head of Iwelumo. The big striker then turned creator, chesting the ball back to Forestieri, who connected superbly with a right-footed half-volley that deflected off Adam El-Abd and narrowly wide of the far post, with former Hornets on-loan keeper Tomasz Kuszczak completely stranded as he dived in the opposite direction.
Watford did have the ball in the back of the net in the eighth minute but Vydra knew he was offside when a Pudil shot broke to him after Mark Yeates’ free-kick from 25 yards out had cannoned back off the wall.
Brighton had barely been able to get out of their half in the ten minutes but a stray cross-field header from Nyron Nosworthy gave Buckley an opportunity to run at a stretched Hornets rearguard and Neuton could have few complaints at the yellow card he received after felling the Hornets old boy.
The hosts were soon back on the front foot though, with Yeates breaking away from a midfield tussle before dragging a shot not too far wide of the target. But the Seagulls bench were up as one in the 18th minute when Cassetti caught Liam Bridcutt with a late challenge and a yellow card was again the predictable outcome.
Following that yellow card, Buckley almost immediately switched flanks so he was up against the Italian, but the openings still kept coming Watford’s way, with Iwelumo and Forestieri combining to tee up Almen Abdi, who fired wide from the edge of the area.
The Seagulls finally had their first attempt in the 24th minute when an under-pressure Mackail-Smith prodded wide of the near post after Buckley had done well on the left to create a crossing opportunity.
Having been on the end of a yellow card challenge himself, Bridcutt levelled up that personal score when he was booked for a foul on Forestieri. However, the Hornets were almost caught out when Buckley, who had the beating of Cassetti, again crossed from the left. Although the ball was just too far ahead of Mackail-Smith, it ran for the unmarked Dean Hammond but Manuel Almunia reacted smartly to the danger and made a good blocking save.
Hammond wasted another good opening in the 39th minute, hitting a shot on the turn over after Cassetti, amongst others, was caught appealing for a throw-in that never came after Buckley and Wayne Bridge had combined down the left.
Buckley was again the creator a minute later, lifting a perfectly weighted clipped pass into the path of Mackail-Smith, but Neuton did just enough to prevent the Watford-born striker gathering the ball cleanly and the ball broke off his body and ran wide.
But still the Hornets kept getting opened up down their right-hand side as Buckley yet again ran free before laying a low centre back to Gary Dicker, but his rather tame effort was comfortably gathered by Almunia.
Watford though, managed to survive that spell and in first-half injury-time Neuton advanced purposefully forward before finding Yeates, who took the ball on before sending a right-footed strike from distance swerving off target.
Given that he was being given a hard time by Buckley and was on a yellow card, it was not a great surprise to see Doyley replace Cassetti at the start of the second half. Within four minutes of the restart, the hosts were behind.
There were few complaints from the Hornets when Pudil was adjudged to have fouled Mackail-Smith in the area and the in-form Seagulls striker made no mistake from 12 yards, smashing the ball down the centre of the goal to score his sixth in four games.
The visitors had another opening soon after when Gordon Greer headed a corner over the top but Watford were soon able to regroup and began to apply themselves as an attacking presence again.
That nearly resulted in the equaliser in the 58th minute when Pudil did well to keep the ball in close to the left by-line and evade a challenge before laying it back to Forestieri, who switched the ball on to his right foot, opening his body out and hitting a curling shot that clipped the bar before going over.
Gus Poyet made his first change on the hour, bringing on Ashley Barnes for the man who had replaced him in the starting line-up, Andrea Orlandi. But as the Hornets continued to press there were fortunate not to concede a second in three minutes later when Neuton was caught in possession and the ball was slipped through to Mackail-Smith, but he missed the target with a powerful effort from the left side of the area.
Forestieri though, had posed Watford’s main attacking threat since the restart and he was at it again in the 64th minute, showing more neat footwork in and around the edge of the area before firing wide of the near post.
No sooner had that chance been created though, than the Hornets really should have been two down.
Again they were caught out at the back as Buckley led the charge from the right, picking out the unmarked Hammond in the middle but he shot straight at Almunia.
Pudil tested Kuszczak with a well-struck effort from wide on the left before a sequence of crosses in the Brighton box ended with Greer standing his ground to prevent Abdi getting a clean header on a cross from his Czech team-mate.
On-loan Chelsea rising star Nathaniel Chalobah became the latest recruit to be given his Hornets debut as a 74th-minute replacement for Forestieri and then Mackail-Smith made way for Stephen Dobbie.
Chalobah was soon involved, pinging a neat ball to a team-mate, before his cross from the right stood up for Pudil, who was coming in at the back post, but he was unable to keep his header down.
Dobbie’s first meaningful involvement was to pick up a needless yellow card following a tangle with Neuton and then a full-hearted performance from Iwelumo was ended when he was replaced by Steve Beleck.
Hogg thought he should have had a penalty with ten minutes remaining after his attempted give and go was cut short and then Chalobah was taken out as he came back out towards the edge of the area.
Both were decent shouts but on neither occasion was referee Darren Drysdale swayed. However, he was soon the centre of attention again, first booking Nosworthy for a foul on Buckley and then dishing out the same punishment to Pudil and Barnes after the two had clashed angrily in the Hornets area following an over-the-top challenge by the substitute.
Despite having an additional four minutes of time to try and find an equaliser, the best they could muster was when a cross was half-cleared to Pudil, but he struck a dipping volley over.
Watford: Almunia; Cassetti (Doyley 46), Nosworthy, Neuton, Pudil; Hogg, Abdi, Yeates; Forestieri (Chalobah 74), Iwelumo (Beleck 79), Vydra. Not used: Forsyth, Smith, Bond and Hoban.
Brighton & Hove Albion: Kuszczak; Bruno (Calderon 90), Greer, El-Abd, Bridge; Bridcutt, Orlandi (Barnes 60); Buckley, Dicker, Hammond; Mackail-Smith (Dobbie 75). Not used: Dunk, Ankergren, Harley, Lopez.
Bookings: Neuton for a foul on Buckley after 11 mins; Cassetti for a foul on Bridcutt after 18 mins; Bridcutt for a foul on Forestieri after 25 mins; Dobbie for a foul on Neuton after 79 mins; Nosworthy for a foul on Buckley after 83 mins; Pudil for exchange with Barnes after 85 mins; Barnes for exchange with Pudil after 85 mins.
Attendance: 11,894.
Referee: Darren Drysdale.
Comments(86)
The Family Cat
says...
10:11pm Tue 18 Sep 12
PembsHornet
says...
10:11pm Tue 18 Sep 12
smarkymark
says...
10:11pm Tue 18 Sep 12
ralear49
says...
10:14pm Tue 18 Sep 12
holtonian
says...
10:17pm Tue 18 Sep 12
AngelHornet
says...
10:23pm Tue 18 Sep 12
Hornet23
says...
10:24pm Tue 18 Sep 12
smarkymark wrote:I'm sorry who else did you want on the bench considering we have injuries and have to have a certain number of homegrown players in the matchday squad? The fans lack of patience with Zola is pathetic, does nobody remember last season when people wanted Dyche out by October? Your comment about Bond tops off your laughable post. Utterly moronic.
The jury is well and truly out now Zola after 4 defeats in a row.Yes we dominated after the Brighton goal and yes we played well at Bolton second half but the fact is we lost both games! Also, the bench tonight was woeful!Granted we have injuries but how can you have 2 teenagers who were on loan to WEALDSTONE last season as well as the the very ordinary Forsyth and a young golaie clearly not good enough for the championship
Bobbyhowfield
says...
10:24pm Tue 18 Sep 12
dal8oy
says...
10:27pm Tue 18 Sep 12
Hornet Cornet wrote:Behave yourself. You will be eating humble pie by the end of the season. I remember it being like this when Judas Rodgers was putting his team together and making a huge change in style. We all couldnt wait for the following season at the end. Just have patience, alternatively dont bother watching or posting!
same old rubbish. bring back dyche
jagman45
says...
10:28pm Tue 18 Sep 12
Hornets number 12 fan
says...
10:32pm Tue 18 Sep 12
Hornet Cornet
says...
10:38pm Tue 18 Sep 12
dal8oy wrote:I shall post and watch as I see fit.
Hornet Cornet wrote:Behave yourself. You will be eating humble pie by the end of the season. I remember it being like this when Judas Rodgers was putting his team together and making a huge change in style. We all couldnt wait for the following season at the end. Just have patience, alternatively dont bother watching or posting!
same old rubbish. bring back dyche
Hornets No; 12 fan - you are spot on mate
wheelsonfire
says...
10:39pm Tue 18 Sep 12
Brighton are very highly ratted team and will definately be there at the end of the season. Buckley and Craig Mackel-Smith were outstanding. The later a Watford boy and a big horns fan!!
Although we lost still a whole lot better than the Dyche dross of last season.
Unfortunately this is going to be a much tougher league this season.
Hornet1970
says...
10:39pm Tue 18 Sep 12
Need to win sat
Hornet1970
says...
10:42pm Tue 18 Sep 12
'Dyche dross of last season'...muppett
wrecker
says...
10:44pm Tue 18 Sep 12
Vet_kills_puppy
says...
10:45pm Tue 18 Sep 12
smarkymark
says...
10:47pm Tue 18 Sep 12
supermikey
says...
10:51pm Tue 18 Sep 12
buckler
says...
10:52pm Tue 18 Sep 12
Harold Hornet
says...
10:53pm Tue 18 Sep 12
If we had scored those two blatent penalties and won 2-1 everybody would be happy.
Man U nearly sacked Fergie after a couple of months. Patience.
supermikey
says...
10:56pm Tue 18 Sep 12
Harold Hornet wrote:Fergie had history before he went to United
I can't believe some of you lot. It's going to take time, you don't make a promotion team in a couple of months!
If we had scored those two blatent penalties and won 2-1 everybody would be happy.
Man U nearly sacked Fergie after a couple of months. Patience.
dal8oy
says...
11:04pm Tue 18 Sep 12
Hornet Cornet wrote:Yes you can but you make yourself look a complete moron.....your shout......
dal8oy wrote:I shall post and watch as I see fit.
Hornet Cornet wrote:Behave yourself. You will be eating humble pie by the end of the season. I remember it being like this when Judas Rodgers was putting his team together and making a huge change in style. We all couldnt wait for the following season at the end. Just have patience, alternatively dont bother watching or posting!
same old rubbish. bring back dyche
Hornets No; 12 fan - you are spot on mate
a1derek
says...
11:07pm Tue 18 Sep 12
As for the officials tonight - well we don't arf get 'em don't we? I thought the first pen claim was pretty solid, but the one on Beleck, from where I was sitting surely it couldn't have been any more nailed on? That is without the benefit of seeing it again, but it just looked a pen all ends up (pun totally intended).
gef892
says...
11:10pm Tue 18 Sep 12
wheelsonfire
says...
11:11pm Tue 18 Sep 12
I take it that 1970 is your birthday not the time you started supporting the 'orns!!!
Andrew1963
says...
11:13pm Tue 18 Sep 12
wheelsonfire wrote:Quite right, Watford played some of the best football i have seen from a Watford side in years, but we never looked like winning! No cutting edge.What a pity we do not have a Danny Graham (or even Sordell) in the squad. A couple of very good debuts. This side will come good.
All in all a very entertaining game. We deserved at least a draw. Played some great footbal, some of the best I've seen at the Vic, but couldn't finish. Brighton are very highly ratted team and will definately be there at the end of the season. Buckley and Craig Mackel-Smith were outstanding. The later a Watford boy and a big horns fan!! Although we lost still a whole lot better than the Dyche dross of last season. Unfortunately this is going to be a much tougher league this season.
supermikey
says...
11:18pm Tue 18 Sep 12
Andrew1963 wrote:Even with RVP in the team, he wouldn't have got close to smelling the leather of the ball tonight
wheelsonfire wrote:Quite right, Watford played some of the best football i have seen from a Watford side in years, but we never looked like winning! No cutting edge.What a pity we do not have a Danny Graham (or even Sordell) in the squad. A couple of very good debuts. This side will come good.
All in all a very entertaining game. We deserved at least a draw. Played some great footbal, some of the best I've seen at the Vic, but couldn't finish. Brighton are very highly ratted team and will definately be there at the end of the season. Buckley and Craig Mackel-Smith were outstanding. The later a Watford boy and a big horns fan!! Although we lost still a whole lot better than the Dyche dross of last season. Unfortunately this is going to be a much tougher league this season.
Hornet Cornet
says...
11:19pm Tue 18 Sep 12
dal8oy wrote:you are so easy to wind up. typical 6 year old response from you. go to bed and get a lolly in your gob
Hornet Cornet wrote:Yes you can but you make yourself look a complete moron.....your shout......
dal8oy wrote:I shall post and watch as I see fit.
Hornet Cornet wrote:Behave yourself. You will be eating humble pie by the end of the season. I remember it being like this when Judas Rodgers was putting his team together and making a huge change in style. We all couldnt wait for the following season at the end. Just have patience, alternatively dont bother watching or posting!
same old rubbish. bring back dyche
Hornets No; 12 fan - you are spot on mate
kingofpop
says...
11:20pm Tue 18 Sep 12
Holly68
says...
11:35pm Tue 18 Sep 12
a1derek wrote:Good Post
Unlucky tonight and as far as I am concerned I can see it "coming together". We do need to find a cutting edge for sure, but you can see th pattern of play and the fact the players that have come in are very good players indeed. I think we'll be O.K and I do not think we'll be too far away come the end of the season. I do think the end for Lloyd (sadly), Big Chris and Yeates is not far away. To me it seemed pretty clear that the only member of the "old guard" that is completely comfortable in the new regime is Hogg. Think Nosworthy will be reasonably O.K. but unlikely starter once Hall and Ekstrand are fit.
As for the officials tonight - well we don't arf get 'em don't we? I thought the first pen claim was pretty solid, but the one on Beleck, from where I was sitting surely it couldn't have been any more nailed on? That is without the benefit of seeing it again, but it just looked a pen all ends up (pun totally intended).
Once we have settled and are established it will come together
Need more movement up front, sorry big Chris, but please don't play him again !
Hampshire hornet
says...
12:04am Wed 19 Sep 12
Chris the Vic
says...
12:07am Wed 19 Sep 12
Zola may be OK but he is new to the Championship as are many of our squad and it will take time. The fact that under new owners we all kne e needed a striker. Garner is not up to it and Big Chris is a great sub for 20/30 minutes. Weknew Deeney ould not be there for sometime and Nani has signed an unfit 30 year old or maybe been made to sign him.
It certainly is not good at present but we must give Zola time but those who predictedthat all would be great, that the old players were rubbsh along with Dyche are now far less vociferous.
In truth they were talking in their normal baseless know al fashion. Zola needs time and b hristmas we can start judging the management team but the Pozzos have sent us some players who are past their sell by date and I suspect a few of the players now on loan will be sold even though they are better than our loanees. But of the old players Yeates tarting and Forsyth on the bench tell me that our team is pretty poor at present and maybe 20th place and dropping is where we deserve to be even though it was the refs fault. Those who tout Hall above Nyron lol, ask any QPR fan how often Hall is fit and you have a measure of the man. Stay patient but
this season is difficult and from the top down people have to get their acts together.
D.unstable
says...
12:21am Wed 19 Sep 12
Disappointing as it was to lose tonight we played some very good football, the Argie Foresterri was like Messi in yellow at times, the Brazilian Neuton had an impressive home debut as did Cassetti, even the Chelsea kid looked very comfortable and if as somebody has said he is 17, well we are watching a kid who will be knocking on not only the Chelsea first team door but also England's very soon.
Nobody said that we were going to being walking away with the league this year, but for me these players will gel and when they do we will have a very capable team, probably the best footballing team that we will have ever had the pleasure of supporting.
Not worried in the slightest. You want something to worry about tonight, go support Pompey, now that is enough to give you the 5hits.
Good night.
D.unstable
says...
12:21am Wed 19 Sep 12
Disappointing as it was to lose tonight we played some very good football, the Argie Foresterri was like Messi in yellow at times, the Brazilian Neuton had an impressive home debut as did Cassetti, even the Chelsea kid looked very comfortable and if as somebody has said he is 17, well we are watching a kid who will be knocking on not only the Chelsea first team door but also England's very soon.
Nobody said that we were going to being walking away with the league this year, but for me these players will gel and when they do we will have a very capable team, probably the best footballing team that we will have ever had the pleasure of supporting.
Not worried in the slightest. You want something to worry about tonight, go support Pompey, now that is enough to give you the 5hits.
Good night.
Bush Hornet
says...
12:45am Wed 19 Sep 12
supermikey wrote:Super mikey, yes keep patient. It will come good. Did you record last year's televised games to remind yourself in moments like these how ugly it was? Personally I am really happy that we're gradually moving on from all that hoofy pants
There was nothing positive about Watford's performance tonight, apart from Forestieri. I keep telling myself "I must have patience".... So I will... BUT I don't know if I can stand watching that sort of football every week, win, loose or draw, I want to be entertained and I don't find it entertaining
Casterbridge
says...
12:46am Wed 19 Sep 12
Too often we ignored the winger in a good attacking position, and opted instead for a shorter, safer pass back. However, our attempts then to walk it through a packed defence invariably broke down.
Chalobah looked real class for last 15 mins, but hard on Forestieri.
Bush Hornet
says...
12:47am Wed 19 Sep 12
Bush Hornet
says...
12:49am Wed 19 Sep 12
D.unstable wrote:Well said
I think it is easy to look at the result and be disappointed that we have been robbed at the Vic again. Once you look past that I fail to believe that a lot of the negative posters on here fail to see the making of a very good team. The improved standard of the majority of the new players that have joined is beyond belief from where we were just a few months ago. Most people would have agreed before the start of the season that it is going to take 10 games to start to see a totally new style of play with almost an entirely new squad to start to come together, yet a few numptys already saying get rid of Zola, please grow up!
Disappointing as it was to lose tonight we played some very good football, the Argie Foresterri was like Messi in yellow at times, the Brazilian Neuton had an impressive home debut as did Cassetti, even the Chelsea kid looked very comfortable and if as somebody has said he is 17, well we are watching a kid who will be knocking on not only the Chelsea first team door but also England's very soon.
Nobody said that we were going to being walking away with the league this year, but for me these players will gel and when they do we will have a very capable team, probably the best footballing team that we will have ever had the pleasure of supporting.
Not worried in the slightest. You want something to worry about tonight, go support Pompey, now that is enough to give you the 5hits.
Good night.
Bush Hornet
says...
12:53am Wed 19 Sep 12
Hornet Cornet wrote:You were slating Dyche this time last year. Write us a nice poem or at least give us an update on your piles
same old rubbish. bring back dyche
Bush Hornet
says...
12:55am Wed 19 Sep 12
holtonian wrote:Spot on Holtonian
Gus Poyet has had a few seasons plus cash to get his side together. So all being equal i think we are going in the right direction. I have every faith with Gianfranco, not sour grapes but we deserved a point.Darren Drysdale did not play fairly i am sorry to say.
Bush Hornet
says...
1:01am Wed 19 Sep 12
Andrew1963 wrote:Our strikers will come good. DG had his off days while Sordell is far from the finished article still. We'll be fine. Let's enjoy this football and celebrate losing the longball tag at last.
wheelsonfire wrote:Quite right, Watford played some of the best football i have seen from a Watford side in years, but we never looked like winning! No cutting edge.What a pity we do not have a Danny Graham (or even Sordell) in the squad. A couple of very good debuts. This side will come good.
All in all a very entertaining game. We deserved at least a draw. Played some great footbal, some of the best I've seen at the Vic, but couldn't finish. Brighton are very highly ratted team and will definately be there at the end of the season. Buckley and Craig Mackel-Smith were outstanding. The later a Watford boy and a big horns fan!! Although we lost still a whole lot better than the Dyche dross of last season. Unfortunately this is going to be a much tougher league this season.
Bush Hornet
says...
1:04am Wed 19 Sep 12
Hornet23
says...
1:30am Wed 19 Sep 12
smarkymark wrote:I'd be more than happy to see Bond given a go. On what basis is he not good enough? A couple of cup games and loan spells at League One and Two level where he actually did pretty well? Why you've decided to single out Bond and have a pop at him I've no idea. What a bizarre person you are.
@Hornet23: Would you be happy if Alumunia got injured and we had to play Bond in the championship ? No I didn't think so - so why is the comment that "he is not championship" moronic? Far from it mate ,its the truth.
lutondown
says...
5:37am Wed 19 Sep 12
Chris the Vic wrote:No we have not gone quiet, but have said all that's to be said on last season, it's gone, simple.
We seem very good at having a go at our old players. We should have kept them and Dyche. However we didnt but gained stability off the field.
Zola may be OK but he is new to the Championship as are many of our squad and it will take time. The fact that under new owners we all kne e needed a striker. Garner is not up to it and Big Chris is a great sub for 20/30 minutes. Weknew Deeney ould not be there for sometime and Nani has signed an unfit 30 year old or maybe been made to sign him.
It certainly is not good at present but we must give Zola time but those who predictedthat all would be great, that the old players were rubbsh along with Dyche are now far less vociferous.
In truth they were talking in their normal baseless know al fashion. Zola needs time and b hristmas we can start judging the management team but the Pozzos have sent us some players who are past their sell by date and I suspect a few of the players now on loan will be sold even though they are better than our loanees. But of the old players Yeates tarting and Forsyth on the bench tell me that our team is pretty poor at present and maybe 20th place and dropping is where we deserve to be even though it was the refs fault. Those who tout Hall above Nyron lol, ask any QPR fan how often Hall is fit and you have a measure of the man. Stay patient but
this season is difficult and from the top down people have to get their acts together.
You on the other hand, with your self satisfied post, sitting on the fence is simply boring.
This Will come right and you will be worshipping GFZ, such is your nature.
BTW, is the Observer anti Zola? The headlines are very pointed!
SAHornet
says...
6:23am Wed 19 Sep 12
D.unstable wrote:One of the best posts that I've read here for ages. Concise and exactly to the point. I have no doubt at all that we will come right after 10 or so games and that we will finish top-half by the end and push on next year. Can see a victory coming on Saturday against a decent Bristol team. It's a good time to be an 'Orn. Very proud of the lads last night. Could easily have picked up a point or 3.
I think it is easy to look at the result and be disappointed that we have been robbed at the Vic again. Once you look past that I fail to believe that a lot of the negative posters on here fail to see the making of a very good team. The improved standard of the majority of the new players that have joined is beyond belief from where we were just a few months ago. Most people would have agreed before the start of the season that it is going to take 10 games to start to see a totally new style of play with almost an entirely new squad to start to come together, yet a few numptys already saying get rid of Zola, please grow up!
Disappointing as it was to lose tonight we played some very good football, the Argie Foresterri was like Messi in yellow at times, the Brazilian Neuton had an impressive home debut as did Cassetti, even the Chelsea kid looked very comfortable and if as somebody has said he is 17, well we are watching a kid who will be knocking on not only the Chelsea first team door but also England's very soon.
Nobody said that we were going to being walking away with the league this year, but for me these players will gel and when they do we will have a very capable team, probably the best footballing team that we will have ever had the pleasure of supporting.
Not worried in the slightest. You want something to worry about tonight, go support Pompey, now that is enough to give you the 5hits.
Good night.
SAHornet
says...
6:24am Wed 19 Sep 12
Mickey Quinn, not so thin
says...
7:12am Wed 19 Sep 12
D.unstable wrote:"...impressive home debut as did Cassetti, ...."
I think it is easy to look at the result and be disappointed that we have been robbed at the Vic again. Once you look past that I fail to believe that a lot of the negative posters on here fail to see the making of a very good team. The improved standard of the majority of the new players that have joined is beyond belief from where we were just a few months ago. Most people would have agreed before the start of the season that it is going to take 10 games to start to see a totally new style of play with almost an entirely new squad to start to come together, yet a few numptys already saying get rid of Zola, please grow up!
Disappointing as it was to lose tonight we played some very good football, the Argie Foresterri was like Messi in yellow at times, the Brazilian Neuton had an impressive home debut as did Cassetti, even the Chelsea kid looked very comfortable and if as somebody has said he is 17, well we are watching a kid who will be knocking on not only the Chelsea first team door but also England's very soon.
Nobody said that we were going to being walking away with the league this year, but for me these players will gel and when they do we will have a very capable team, probably the best footballing team that we will have ever had the pleasure of supporting.
Not worried in the slightest. You want something to worry about tonight, go support Pompey, now that is enough to give you the 5hits.
Good night.
The same Cassetti that was hauled off at HT for being unable to defend against even the slightest hint of pace? Awful performance, being comfortable in possession is not enough for a defender.
Mickey Quinn, not so thin
says...
7:19am Wed 19 Sep 12
Frankie Frazer
says...
7:21am Wed 19 Sep 12
Here are 4 basic facts about our club:
1/ the club was in a worrying situation prior to the Pozzos took over
2/ we may not like it but it's their choice on who their manager should be
3/ it's only the 19th September! How can anyone truly judge a manager or players in that time
4/ massive changes of personnel means that it always takes time for a team to gel
So just take a step back and give the team time! Dyche has gone, yes it was unfair but at least back Zola and the squad and give them confidence rather than throw abuse at every opportunity .. If we are bottom come December by all means shout and scream but it's going to take time to get this squad playing together !!
My only real concern is that are the players coming in Zola's choice? to me there has been too many incoming and Zola can't have sanctioned all these deals ! I think this just makes his job more difficult ... For me Gianluca Nani is more involved than he should be but like I said it really is too early to judge !! Chill out and support the team that we have and be grateful we're not Pompey!!!!!!
supermikey
says...
7:37am Wed 19 Sep 12
Mickey Quinn, not so thin wrote:Spot on..... All our "football" was played in the wrong 2/3rds of the pitch.. The front men got no service.
Not enough pace, movement off the ball, or incisive passing. Passing the ball around accurately but at snails pace is not enough to win games in this league.
lutondown.
says...
7:39am Wed 19 Sep 12
lutondown wrote:And you lutondown are the master at insults and criticism. The majority of your posts are to insult and criticise other people’s comments. You seldom if ever offer your own thoughts just look through other people’s valid opinions and insult those people you disagree with.
Chris the Vic wrote:No we have not gone quiet, but have said all that's to be said on last season, it's gone, simple.
We seem very good at having a go at our old players. We should have kept them and Dyche. However we didnt but gained stability off the field.
Zola may be OK but he is new to the Championship as are many of our squad and it will take time. The fact that under new owners we all kne e needed a striker. Garner is not up to it and Big Chris is a great sub for 20/30 minutes. Weknew Deeney ould not be there for sometime and Nani has signed an unfit 30 year old or maybe been made to sign him.
It certainly is not good at present but we must give Zola time but those who predictedthat all would be great, that the old players were rubbsh along with Dyche are now far less vociferous.
In truth they were talking in their normal baseless know al fashion. Zola needs time and b hristmas we can start judging the management team but the Pozzos have sent us some players who are past their sell by date and I suspect a few of the players now on loan will be sold even though they are better than our loanees. But of the old players Yeates tarting and Forsyth on the bench tell me that our team is pretty poor at present and maybe 20th place and dropping is where we deserve to be even though it was the refs fault. Those who tout Hall above Nyron lol, ask any QPR fan how often Hall is fit and you have a measure of the man. Stay patient but
this season is difficult and from the top down people have to get their acts together.
You on the other hand, with your self satisfied post, sitting on the fence is simply boring.
This Will come right and you will be worshipping GFZ, such is your nature.
BTW, is the Observer anti Zola? The headlines are very pointed!
I know you will find this a complement and I’m sure you will not disappoint me with your acute repost.
holtonian
says...
8:03am Wed 19 Sep 12
We have far to go to be pressing for genuine Premiership level soccer but i feel his way is the way to go, i can understand fans being upset by defeat that is natural. All i ask is that supporters show and gift our leader the time and loyal support as he is giving us. If we do, we end up winners in a season or two. That is a certainty.
rookerylad
says...
8:25am Wed 19 Sep 12
rookerylad
says...
8:27am Wed 19 Sep 12
Frankie Frazer
says...
8:29am Wed 19 Sep 12
I also believe the WOB aren't helping the situation with regards to the headlines they write! If they want to develop a good long standing relationship with the club you would think a headline like 'Watford edged out in close game" or something along those lines ! If you keep writing comments like '3rd straight defeat' u r just putting a negative spin on a tight game, both headlines are true but one is less negative than the other!! The WOB is certainly not enhancing the relationship between paper and club and then really the only people that suffer are us the fans !!
jasonwatford
says...
8:34am Wed 19 Sep 12
Thats it 2 points only for christs sake andfor the moronic person on here that asked why casetti than doyley if you need to ask that tells you why you shouldnt be on here. I thought Neutron was different class also forristeri a real tiger on the wing and so quick. Also i was calling for dyceto go last year at this time because the football was awful and we never looked liked scoring a goal however he had luck so whats to say zola wont also have some luck soon. Ref was awful tonight but i went home happy as a real football person i saw tonight something that will blossom into a real joy to watch.
Holly68
says...
8:57am Wed 19 Sep 12
It's a shame Geijo out for 2 more weeks, hopefully Beleck will start Saturday as Chris didn't get a look in last night and won't score goals
For me, it's our only position that is short at the moment, Geijo and Beleck must come good, or we will have to loan or buy another striker. Don't see Deeney having the quality either
Vydra didn't look 100% last night, Forestieri gave his all.
Let's hope we can win Saturday, 6 draws so far (6 points 6 games)
How many teams will have Brighton camped in own half this season ??
Disappointed to lose, but bigger picture more important
COGGDAVE1
says...
9:01am Wed 19 Sep 12
Wimbledonhorn
says...
9:45am Wed 19 Sep 12
We need to look forward not back. All those recalling SD reign need to remember that he would have started this season without Deeney, Kuszczak, Mariappa, Taylor so there was still going to be a churn of players and I doubt we would have quality that we have now.
We'll win Saturday with a performance like last night.
SAHornet
says...
10:16am Wed 19 Sep 12
ralear49 wrote:Sign up for Hornets Player. Live commentary on each game and much, much more
Being overseas, I have to keep track of games on the BBC website. Unfortunately, I can't tell which side a player is on without referring to the team sheets! The only WFC player whose name I recognize is Buckley. Oh, wait...
SAHornet
says...
10:23am Wed 19 Sep 12
Holly68 wrote:Yes, yes, yes. Good post Holly
Spoke to Brighton Directors after game and they reckon we were best team theye played this season, and albeit a cutting edge in final 3rd and bit of the new team getting used to the physical and pace of championship said we will be up there, as they believe we have potentially the most "quality" in the division.
It's a shame Geijo out for 2 more weeks, hopefully Beleck will start Saturday as Chris didn't get a look in last night and won't score goals
For me, it's our only position that is short at the moment, Geijo and Beleck must come good, or we will have to loan or buy another striker. Don't see Deeney having the quality either
Vydra didn't look 100% last night, Forestieri gave his all.
Let's hope we can win Saturday, 6 draws so far (6 points 6 games)
How many teams will have Brighton camped in own half this season ??
Disappointed to lose, but bigger picture more important
Hornet Cornet
says...
10:26am Wed 19 Sep 12
Holly68 wrote:6 draws? What planet are you on? How can that be good? We carry on like this, we'll have 46 points at the end f the seasn, remain 'undefeated' and get relegated.
Spoke to Brighton Directors after game and they reckon we were best team theye played this season, and albeit a cutting edge in final 3rd and bit of the new team getting used to the physical and pace of championship said we will be up there, as they believe we have potentially the most "quality" in the division. It's a shame Geijo out for 2 more weeks, hopefully Beleck will start Saturday as Chris didn't get a look in last night and won't score goals For me, it's our only position that is short at the moment, Geijo and Beleck must come good, or we will have to loan or buy another striker. Don't see Deeney having the quality either Vydra didn't look 100% last night, Forestieri gave his all. Let's hope we can win Saturday, 6 draws so far (6 points 6 games) How many teams will have Brighton camped in own half this season ?? Disappointed to lose, but bigger picture more important
Nonsense
SAHornet
says...
10:27am Wed 19 Sep 12
Wimbledonhorn wrote:You're right Wimbers and remember too, that SD would not have had the money to adequately replace, Deeney, Kuszczak, Marriapa & Taylor. We would have been in a real mess, not just now but for some time to come. Admin would almost surely have meant relegation for us this season. Thank heavens for The Pozzo's & GZ.
Plenty of posivites last night - keep the faith. The referee was dreadful. Forestieri, Neuton and Chalobah look very very promising. Neuton reminds me of David Luiz with his surging runs forward.
We need to look forward not back. All those recalling SD reign need to remember that he would have started this season without Deeney, Kuszczak, Mariappa, Taylor so there was still going to be a churn of players and I doubt we would have quality that we have now.
We'll win Saturday with a performance like last night.
Holly68
says...
10:41am Wed 19 Sep 12
Hornet Cornet wrote:It says "so far" .. Same as last season I recall
Holly68 wrote: Spoke to Brighton Directors after game and they reckon we were best team theye played this season, and albeit a cutting edge in final 3rd and bit of the new team getting used to the physical and pace of championship said we will be up there, as they believe we have potentially the most "quality" in the division. It's a shame Geijo out for 2 more weeks, hopefully Beleck will start Saturday as Chris didn't get a look in last night and won't score goals For me, it's our only position that is short at the moment, Geijo and Beleck must come good, or we will have to loan or buy another striker. Don't see Deeney having the quality either Vydra didn't look 100% last night, Forestieri gave his all. Let's hope we can win Saturday, 6 draws so far (6 points 6 games) How many teams will have Brighton camped in own half this season ?? Disappointed to lose, but bigger picture more important6 draws? What planet are you on? How can that be good? We carry on like this, we'll have 46 points at the end f the seasn, remain 'undefeated' and get relegated. Nonsense
hornet4eva
says...
10:43am Wed 19 Sep 12
coffils left foot
says...
10:45am Wed 19 Sep 12
Good to watch, very promising, apart from the glaringly obvious.
Striker striker striker.
Holly68
says...
10:48am Wed 19 Sep 12
Anyway, consider this, we COULD be on minus 4 points with last years squad fire sold off and BOTTOM, no money, Lots of debt etc etc
Glass half full
Hornet Cornet
says...
11:30am Wed 19 Sep 12
garston tony
says...
12:00pm Wed 19 Sep 12
I think we played well last night, I also think the team is suffering from too many changes too quickly and still need time to gel. Zola himself said he doesnt know what to do with some players he's been given this summer (does rather hint he was told to take them rather than asked for them).
A big squad can be a curse as well as a blessing especially when its all new
Watford Man
says...
12:05pm Wed 19 Sep 12
Bush Hornet
says...
12:27pm Wed 19 Sep 12
Watford Man wrote:some will never be happy unless it's Graham Taylor in charge. We could be winning loads later in the season and they'll just be waiting for a fall and an opportunity to say how great it was in the old days. It's astonishing how stuck some people get.
'Fans' around me last night in URS too quick to moan, too quick to see the negative not the positive. Old **** stuck in dark ages, no patience, don't recognise good football when they see it. They prefer hoofball to football. Like to get on the backs of players, why break the habit of a lifetime? Old vicarage road end moaners now grumpy old **** moved to upper rous.
Goldenboy1960
says...
12:38pm Wed 19 Sep 12
Watford Man wrote:Pretty football doesn't win matches. It's the team that scores the most goals not the team who has the most possession that wins games. Zola has a tough job given that somene else is bringing in the players (and I don't trust that person), but he needs to very quickly come to terms with the Championship, and understand how to win games in this Division. We need to be better at set pieces in both boxes and we need to get more shots on target. If he doesn't he will either be sacked or we will get relegated. I'm not sure he does his homework in preparation. Fancy picking Cassetti in front of Lloyd knowing that Buckley is the quickest thing on two legs in this Division, only playing with 2 defenders at Derby and admitting he had not done his homework on set pieces. Zola worries me...he had better learn very fast before we going into November in a relegation scrap. Oh and whilst our new CH is good on the ball, can he defend properly which is his main task?
'Fans' around me last night in URS too quick to moan, too quick to see the negative not the positive. Old **** stuck in dark ages, no patience, don't recognise good football when they see it. They prefer hoofball to football. Like to get on the backs of players, why break the habit of a lifetime? Old vicarage road end moaners now grumpy old **** moved to upper rous.
laddie hornets
says...
12:56pm Wed 19 Sep 12
It's tempting to blame the refereee, but we could have let in about 6 goals from open play, often because we gave the ball away carelessly, and we have little potency up front.
This looks like a far better quality of division that last year which was so mediocre, one of the reasons we finished where we did.
Man for man, we have a vastly better team of players - and stronger and larger squad too, of course, - but in a better league it isn't yet translating into points.
Casterbridge
says...
1:06pm Wed 19 Sep 12
Holly68 wrote:Quite - well actually -7 or worse as I don't suppose we'd have beaten Crystal Palace and Birmingham without Vydra and co.
Irony if we had won last night we would be 8th, so division very tight all bar the big spenders in Top 6
Anyway, consider this, we COULD be on minus 4 points with last years squad fire sold off and BOTTOM, no money, Lots of debt etc etc
Glass half full
However, there is also a drawback in having so many talented players to choose from: the team is never settled enough for each player to get to know how the others play. That certainly seemed to be the problem last night in the final third.
londomollari
says...
1:14pm Wed 19 Sep 12
Goldenboy1960 wrote:Agree with some points made, but not the general tone. I, too, am uneasy with Nani, but, even so, I don't believe it was really his doing that all these players arived---I heard from italian friends the Pozzo's wanted a clear out of players at the bottom end of the Udinese pecking order---not up to standard, injury problems, bad attitude, too many better ahead of them. Ideal opportunity was to send them here. Zols was dumped with the problem.
Watford Man wrote:Pretty football doesn't win matches. It's the team that scores the most goals not the team who has the most possession that wins games. Zola has a tough job given that somene else is bringing in the players (and I don't trust that person), but he needs to very quickly come to terms with the Championship, and understand how to win games in this Division. We need to be better at set pieces in both boxes and we need to get more shots on target. If he doesn't he will either be sacked or we will get relegated. I'm not sure he does his homework in preparation. Fancy picking Cassetti in front of Lloyd knowing that Buckley is the quickest thing on two legs in this Division, only playing with 2 defenders at Derby and admitting he had not done his homework on set pieces. Zola worries me...he had better learn very fast before we going into November in a relegation scrap. Oh and whilst our new CH is good on the ball, can he defend properly which is his main task?
'Fans' around me last night in URS too quick to moan, too quick to see the negative not the positive. Old **** stuck in dark ages, no patience, don't recognise good football when they see it. They prefer hoofball to football. Like to get on the backs of players, why break the habit of a lifetime? Old vicarage road end moaners now grumpy old **** moved to upper rous.
Zola must be given time.
i do have the suspicion that Zola and staff are having problems 'identifying' potential problems with the opposition. With virtually all new staff, and such staff having no prior knowledge of the Championship---and in many cases not even England-they are failing to spot the 'Buckleys' in the opposition. Certainly, I thought playing Cassetti against Buckley was an error.
Remember that Zola himself probably knew nothing of the players loaned to him, and he needs to see them in serious action, not just in training. Hence the QPR match today.
HornetJJ
says...
1:17pm Wed 19 Sep 12
HornetJJ
says...
1:17pm Wed 19 Sep 12
lutondown
says...
1:33pm Wed 19 Sep 12
lutondown wrote:Well you obviously pick and choose my posts Chris de Appendage.
Chris the Vic wrote:No we have not gone quiet, but have said all that's to be said on last season, it's gone, simple.
We seem very good at having a go at our old players. We should have kept them and Dyche. However we didnt but gained stability off the field.
Zola may be OK but he is new to the Championship as are many of our squad and it will take time. The fact that under new owners we all kne e needed a striker. Garner is not up to it and Big Chris is a great sub for 20/30 minutes. Weknew Deeney ould not be there for sometime and Nani has signed an unfit 30 year old or maybe been made to sign him.
It certainly is not good at present but we must give Zola time but those who predictedthat all would be great, that the old players were rubbsh along with Dyche are now far less vociferous.
In truth they were talking in their normal baseless know al fashion. Zola needs time and b hristmas we can start judging the management team but the Pozzos have sent us some players who are past their sell by date and I suspect a few of the players now on loan will be sold even though they are better than our loanees. But of the old players Yeates tarting and Forsyth on the bench tell me that our team is pretty poor at present and maybe 20th place and dropping is where we deserve to be even though it was the refs fault. Those who tout Hall above Nyron lol, ask any QPR fan how often Hall is fit and you have a measure of the man. Stay patient but
this season is difficult and from the top down people have to get their acts together.
You on the other hand, with your self satisfied post, sitting on the fence is simply boring.
This Will come right and you will be worshipping GFZ, such is your nature.
BTW, is the Observer anti Zola? The headlines are very pointed!
I certainly home in on your illiterate drivel, that is usually nonsensical.
And if I read your post properly it is you who criticised those who have been vocal and whom dare to have their own opinion
Anyway you can hear my opinions in person at the forum. I'll bring ear plugs if you attend.
worthing_hornet
says...
1:43pm Wed 19 Sep 12
Rookery Veteren
says...
1:47pm Wed 19 Sep 12
Its not his fault..it takes time to evaluate a players ability and work out where and if he fits in. Take Casseti...looked very flaky last night.Midway through the first half we were predicting he would find a reason to go off and escape the embarrasment Buckley was dishing out.
So what does Zola do now ? Drop him or give him more game time to show the ability that presumably led to us signing him ? There are decisions like that to be made all over the pitch at the moment.Few are straight forward. Neuton does look like David Luiz going forward but he also makes Luiz-style mistakes when defending.Could one of the other centre backs be a better all round bet ? And on top of all that there are the injuries and lack of Championship readiness of some of the new lads. Mid-table is going to be quite an achievment at this rate. Most of all someone (Geijo ? ) has got to offer a goal threat. I like Vydra and Forestieri looks promising but they dont lead the line. Big Chris does his best and has one of the most cultured chests in the league but he no longer has goals in his game and that is not good enough. The passing game is great but there has to be end product- I bet Kuszak was pleasantly surprised that his shift was so quiet last night.
Travelling Hornet
says...
2:51pm Wed 19 Sep 12
Holly68 wrote:How do know about Geijo?
Spoke to Brighton Directors after game and they reckon we were best team theye played this season, and albeit a cutting edge in final 3rd and bit of the new team getting used to the physical and pace of championship said we will be up there, as they believe we have potentially the most "quality" in the division.
It's a shame Geijo out for 2 more weeks, hopefully Beleck will start Saturday as Chris didn't get a look in last night and won't score goals
For me, it's our only position that is short at the moment, Geijo and Beleck must come good, or we will have to loan or buy another striker. Don't see Deeney having the quality either
Vydra didn't look 100% last night, Forestieri gave his all.
Let's hope we can win Saturday, 6 draws so far (6 points 6 games)
How many teams will have Brighton camped in own half this season ??
Disappointed to lose, but bigger picture more important
What's taking so long to get fit. Is it hamstring related?
Holly can you use your contacts for more information?
tiger bay
says...
6:37pm Wed 19 Sep 12
Hornet1970 wrote:Well said Wheelie!! Last season was the most boring in WFC history!! Culdnt watch another 2 minutes of that inane mind numbing hoofball which we have played for too many years...Dyche was an average player and if he's lucky, an average manager, tho i suspect he'll end up as chief scout at Chesterfield...Onwar
wheelsonfire - what you on....
'Dyche dross of last season'...muppett
ds with the revolution!! Long live football as it should be played!!
lutondown
says...
7:44pm Wed 19 Sep 12
tiger bay wrote:Abso..f'ing..lutely!
Hornet1970 wrote:Well said Wheelie!! Last season was the most boring in WFC history!! Culdnt watch another 2 minutes of that inane mind numbing hoofball which we have played for too many years...Dyche was an average player and if he's lucky, an average manager, tho i suspect he'll end up as chief scout at Chesterfield...Onwar
wheelsonfire - what you on....
'Dyche dross of last season'...muppett
ds with the revolution!! Long live football as it should be played!!
watford1881
says...
8:25am Thu 20 Sep 12
Hornet Cornet says...
10:04pm Tue 18 Sep 12