Watford vs Reading Match Thread

[Top Flight]

Nothing really interesting to say on this game. Everyone knows the score after today. I can't see that there can be any disagreements or any debates.

Clearly Watford are CERTS for the drop.

Clearly Reading are CERTS for another season at the highest level.

Shame that we resorted to copying Watfords long ball game today. But I think we were forced into in the end because Watford press and close down all over the pitch. Even the slick passer 'Shorey' was having trouble putting the ball into clever areas against Watford as he usually does from a defensive position.

Watford put so much effort into stifling the game and nullifying their opponents that they offer nothing going forward. They will continue to draw too many matches at home where they really need to be winning and getting very little on the road.

That is too slow progress to keep them in the Premier League. If Watford want to stay up they need to change their style and cause teams problems instead of just stifling them. Watford don't have the players to change style so unfortunately for the Orns its back to the Championship next season.

For the Royals its onwards and upwards. This was a much better result for us than it was for them. We've now moved up to 5th, while Watford are still rooted to the bottom.

[From Despair To Where?]

I would accept that needs to happen and Aidy had said he would change how we play if we had better players but naturally its all about paying a price for them which we don't have.

Come on, though, look at the team you put out

Richard Lee
James Chambers
Jay DeMerit
Dan Shittu
Jordan Stewart
Tommy Smith
Damien Francis
Alhassan Bangura
Hameur Bouazza
Ashley Young
Darius Henderson

Your defence is fairly solid, Smith, Francis and Bouazza all have ability (Don't know enough about Bangura but I would assume the same), Ashley Young is clearly a quality player and even Darius showed he has some ability with the ball at his feet when he played for us. For Boothroyd to say you have to play in such a stultifying way because you can't afford the quality is absolute nonsense, or has the ability been coached out of them in deference to pragmatism?

[Arch]

Watford don't seem to be playing as well as last season. The games then were actually quite good. I suppose it's the pressure of the relegation zone. At least they didn't get tonked by four goals unlike some of their rivals fro the drop.

[Super_horns]

Your defence is fairly solid, Smith, Francis and Bouazza all have ability (Don't know enough about Bangura but I would assume the same), Ashley Young is clearly a quality player and even Darius showed he has some ability with the ball at his feet when he played for us. For Boothroyd to say you have to play in such a stultifying way because you can't afford the quality is absolute nonsense, or has the ability been coached out of them in deference to pragmatism?

Agreed our defence is good and Hendo is a decent player as last season proved (albeit a league lower)

The young guys have come through the ranks where we do play far more attractive passing football hence their quality.

Maybe it is just the way Aidy wants us to play which worked last season and has at least produce some decent performances if not wins this time although it is a little dull at the moment maybe due to a lack of confidence.

Certain players like Stewart and Francis aren't very good generally in my view.

Ofcourse if we were to go down and start badly next season I am sure more critics will come out!

[RoyalBlue]

Watford don't seem to be playing as well as last season. The games then were actually quite good. I suppose it's the pressure of the relegation zone. At least they didn't get tonked by four goals unlike some of their rivals fro the drop.

True - hope Parjudas manages to cling on until (very) early in the year!

Looking forward to joining in with the disillusioned Hammers' chants!

[RoyalBlue]

I would accept that needs to happen and Aidy had said he would change how we play if we had better players but naturally its all about paying a price for them which we don't have.

I'm not sure you're that hard up. Remind me, how much did you pay for Shittu?

If you need some money, it might be worth us taking Darius off your hands just to provide us with a bit of muscle up front!

[Super_horns]

I would accept that needs to happen and Aidy had said he would change how we play if we had better players but naturally its all about paying a price for them which we don't have.

I'm not sure you're that hard up. Remind me, how much did you pay for Shittu?

If you need some money, it might be worth us taking Darius off your hands just to provide us with a bit of muscle up front!

1.6 million going up to 3 million.

I was thinking more of the 4-5 million bracket some clubs might want for their strikers really and I doubt our current position will attract anyone.

[RoyalBlue]

Your best chance is taking a chance on someone from the lower leagues who would still fancy a spell in the Premiership, no matter how short.

Just steer clear of Cork - no bargains to be found there, all dreadful footballers!

[Im Spartacus]

If I was a watford fan, I would have been far from delighted at replacing Smith with a defender 10 mins from time.

[doylefan]

Just steer clear of Cork - no bargains to be found there, all dreadful footballers!

yep all dreadful, no good ones!!

a point away from home - ill take that! a point is better than nothing at all. was listening to the game at my grandparents (hence me not making the game itself) and didnt sounds the greatest, but then again same result as last seasons games, so nothing new there. will make up mind when watch it on football first tonight

[RoyalBlue]

If I was a watford fan, I would have been far from delighted at replacing Smith with a defender 10 mins from time.

I think that was to allow them to push one of their other big men forward for more hoof!

Sorry Super Horns, it looks as though things are going to get worse for you in that respect. An amazing quote from Boothroyd tonight:

'We have players who want to cross and pass when they should leather the ball.'

a point away from home - ill take that! a point is better than nothing at all. was listening to the game at my grandparents (hence me not making the game itself) and didnt sounds the greatest, but then again same result as last seasons games, so nothing new there. will make up mind when watch it on football first tonight

Just heard OfCom (broadcasting standards) have banned them from showing it!

[doylefan]

number 13 tho did us proud yet again could be heard clearly on radio

[Victor Meldrew]

Just back from the game which looked like a relegation contest with both sides afraid of losing and not being brave enough to try to win the game.
In a match crying out for somebody to put their foot on the ball can anyone explain to me why Little spent all that time warming up but only eventually came on in the 91st minute?

[phil in cornwall]

I would accept that needs to happen and Aidy had said he would change how we play if we had better players but naturally its all about paying a price for them which we don't have.

I'm not sure you're that hard up. Remind me, how much did you pay for Shittu?

If you need some money, it might be worth us taking Darius off your hands just to provide us with a bit of muscle up front!

1.6 million going up to 3 million.

I was thinking more of the 4-5 million bracket some clubs might want for their strikers really and I doubt our current position will attract anyone.

We don't need Darius, even on a free transfer. You may not have noticed but we are Premier League.

We need another striker in the squad, but we would like one who scores goals.

[Royal Lady]

Just back from the game which looked like a relegation contest with both sides afraid of losing and not being brave enough to try to win the game.
In a match crying out for somebody to put their foot on the ball can anyone explain to me why Little spent all that time warming up but only eventually came on in the 91st minute?

I reckon it's because he's not nearly fully fit. I think he was only bench because we basically didn't have anyone else. I think Copps only put him on the bench on Weds because of the same reason and then when Hunty went off and he replaced him, it knackered him to death as he was not fully fit and he only put him on in the last minute to waste time and to ensure that Little would not get injured further.

[Royal Lady]

oh. and if that's not the case, I should like a good explanation as to why we didn't put Little on for the whole of the second half.

[fruits]

Watford don't seem to be playing as well as last season. The games then were actually quite good. I suppose it's the pressure of the relegation zone. At least they didn't get tonked by four goals unlike some of their rivals fro the drop.

True - hope Parjudas manages to cling on until (very) early in the year!

Looking forward to joining in with the disillusioned Hammers' chants!

On 606 , callers and Alan Green seemed to think the eggman would give Pardew until the New Year, then act.

[floyd__streete]

On 606 , callers and Alan Green seemed to think the eggman would give Pardew until the New Year, then act.

Pards is doing a great job, this season he's achieving things at West Ham which are beyond my wildest dreams.

PARDEW IN

[Arch]

number 13 tho did us proud yet again could be heard clearly on radio

Also on the radio, sounded like the Hornets kept a decent racket throughout as well, considering the circumstances.

[EASTENDER MARKY]

Shocking football. Watford don't deserve to be in the premiership playing like that. Watford on 909 on way home said that, that was one of the better preformances of the season.