An early start on a Saturday could only mean one thing... An away day. I always enjoy going to Bournemouth as it is a particularly good day out and the atmosphere is always boisterous amongst the away supporters.
After making the journey down to the south coast the people I travelled down with and myself were particularly confident that we would at least get something out of the game. In truth after the most recent away games I was just hoping for a goal!
After a few beers in the pub where the atmosphere amongst the travelling hornets was lively, it was time to head to the Vitality Stadium to hopefully see in 3 points. I love the away end at Bournemouth for how close you are to the pitch and how compact the ground is. As usual with Bournemouth away the Watford fans were in fantastic voice as the teams came out.
In a tight and edgy first half, Bournemouth had lots of the ball but didn't particularly create lots of chances. However Gomes was called into action a couple of times when he firstly got back to his line to push over Ryan Fraser's header. Then Jack Wilshire stung the Brazilians palms with a shot from outside of the box.
Despite not creating much in the opening parts of the game, you could sense that The Cherries defence were shaky and potentially there for the taking. It was set piece that led to the opening goal and thankfully for once it wasn't The Hornets conceding from a set piece. A corner swept in found Miguel Britos at the back post, he headed across the goal to an unmarked Christian Kabasele who headed home to send the away fans into raptures. The away end went crazy, whatever people think about the "Bournemouth/Watford rivalry" these games always seem to mean more to both sets of fans.
The Hornets saw out the final 20 minutes of the half without really creating more clear cut chances. But we went into the break one goal to the good, although it was way too early to get excited as we all knew there would be an onslaught from the home side.
It didn't take them long to get level with the equaliser coming just three minutes after the restart. Adam Smith skipped past Doucoure and put the ball across goal for an unmarked Josh King to tap home. The defending for the goal was horrific as there wasn't anyone remotely near the Bournemouth goalscorer.
However The Hornets did retake the lead, Tom Cleverly swung in a near post corner that was glanced home by the captain Troy Deeney for his 101st goal for Watford. Again cue wild celebrations in the away stand and the atmosphere was electric.
Again though there was still 25 minutes to play and that was a long time for us to hold on to our slender advantage. I always felt we'd need a third goal to secure the points. That goal never came and just 15 minutes after regaining the lead we were level again. Bournemouth picked the ball up on the halfway line and slipped a pass through the Watford defence for Benik Afobe to power home. Before the goal Kabasele fell down with "cramp" and rightly so Bournemouth played on. The Hornets completely switched off which is unacceptable at this level, it was yet again another horrific goal for us to concede.
Thankfully we didn't lose the game and rightfully took a point back to Hertfordshire. It was a highly entertaining game which is normally the case between these sides. I reckon a point was a fair result in the end and it now means we haven't won a Premier League game since Everton at home. Although it is three games unbeaten and there were certainly signs of improvement.
Burnley at The Vic is another huge game and if we fans can get behind the team in the same way we did yesterday (Saturday). Not that Arsenal away isn't huge but you know thats a bit of a right off.
A quick note on the smoke bombs... I don't want this blog to cause arguments however I personally don't mind them and do think its great when they go off. However on the flip side I do see the argument of why people don't like them and they do get the club in trouble so in that sense they aren't good. If you take them to a game you do it at your own risk I guess.
Anyway smoke bombs aren't the important bit, its another point closer to a third season in the Premier League. Stay behind the team and the winning feeling will return...
You 'Orns!
Bournemouth 2-2 Watford
Watford man of the match- Tom Cleverley- he loves this club you can just sense it. Played excellently yesterday
Game rating- 8/10
Away day rating- 9/10- I will miss my trip to The Vitality when they redevelop their ground
Next game- Millwall away- FA Cup round 4
@adzrowe on twitter
Sunday 22 January 2017
Sunday 15 January 2017
Theres only one Graham Taylor
I will quickly summarise the game first before I give my thoughts on what has been an emotional week in the history of Watford Football Club.
Chances for Capoue and Doucoure were the closest The Hornets came to scoring in the first half but Boro keeper Victor Valdes kept both chances out. Boro had a goal disallowed for offside and didn't particularly offer much else, in truth it was a poor first half from both teams. Watford really didn't get going in the opening 45 leaving an emotional Vicarage Road frustrated at the break.
The second half was much better with the hosts creating several chances and were desperately unlucky not to convert at least one of their chances to take a special 3 points. Notable chances fell to Capoue who curled just wide and Okaka who's powerful header was kept out by the 'Boro keeper. However the best chance fell to Tom Cleverley on his second Hornets debut as he hit the post from six yards out before Capoue curled the rebound well wide.
A frustrating result when it meant everything to the fans that we got three points for GT, but to be honest this game wasn't about that it was about a Hornets hero and a man who has made Watford the club it is today. So for this week I'll keep my rant to myself.
On Thursday Graham Taylor tragically passed away leaving Watford and the wider football community to mourn the death of not just a football legend but a gentleman. I was never lucky enough to witness Graham Taylors golden years at the club but you can tell the impact he's had on my team for the fact I felt like I had lost someone in my close circle.
Elton John and Taylor built a club that I've come to fall in love with, they built a club and a community that is family friendly, that is united together for one cause. When he was in charge the community was important not just the football, Taylor gave everyone a club to be proud of because of his great work in the community. The spirit at Vicarage Road has remained ever since and the Premier League club we have today is largely down to Graham Taylor putting us on the map.
Being a Premier League football teams falls into insignificance, Taylor built foundations of togetherness, passion and team spirit which is now felt in the stands and will be felt forever more at Vicarage Road. Watford Football club is ever indebted to the work of a man who had time for everyone, he optimised everything right about being a man. His kind nature touched so many no matter what generation you are from or supported Watford in.
The emotional tributes touched every single person inside The Vic yesterday and you can see how Graham Taylor has touched and effected the lives of so many.
If this team and manager can take anything away from GT it is that you should show passion for what you do but also conduct yourself with self belief and respect.
Graham Taylor what you've done for my hometown and my football club will never be forgotten.
RIP GT- Time for our team to continue to make you proud
Theres only one Graham Taylor
You 'Orns
Watford 0-0 Middlesborough
Man of the Match- Okaka
Special shoutout to the Boro fans who conducted themselves fantastically and really added to giving GT a deserved send off.
@Adzrowe on twitter
Chances for Capoue and Doucoure were the closest The Hornets came to scoring in the first half but Boro keeper Victor Valdes kept both chances out. Boro had a goal disallowed for offside and didn't particularly offer much else, in truth it was a poor first half from both teams. Watford really didn't get going in the opening 45 leaving an emotional Vicarage Road frustrated at the break.
The second half was much better with the hosts creating several chances and were desperately unlucky not to convert at least one of their chances to take a special 3 points. Notable chances fell to Capoue who curled just wide and Okaka who's powerful header was kept out by the 'Boro keeper. However the best chance fell to Tom Cleverley on his second Hornets debut as he hit the post from six yards out before Capoue curled the rebound well wide.
A frustrating result when it meant everything to the fans that we got three points for GT, but to be honest this game wasn't about that it was about a Hornets hero and a man who has made Watford the club it is today. So for this week I'll keep my rant to myself.
On Thursday Graham Taylor tragically passed away leaving Watford and the wider football community to mourn the death of not just a football legend but a gentleman. I was never lucky enough to witness Graham Taylors golden years at the club but you can tell the impact he's had on my team for the fact I felt like I had lost someone in my close circle.
Elton John and Taylor built a club that I've come to fall in love with, they built a club and a community that is family friendly, that is united together for one cause. When he was in charge the community was important not just the football, Taylor gave everyone a club to be proud of because of his great work in the community. The spirit at Vicarage Road has remained ever since and the Premier League club we have today is largely down to Graham Taylor putting us on the map.
Being a Premier League football teams falls into insignificance, Taylor built foundations of togetherness, passion and team spirit which is now felt in the stands and will be felt forever more at Vicarage Road. Watford Football club is ever indebted to the work of a man who had time for everyone, he optimised everything right about being a man. His kind nature touched so many no matter what generation you are from or supported Watford in.
The emotional tributes touched every single person inside The Vic yesterday and you can see how Graham Taylor has touched and effected the lives of so many.
If this team and manager can take anything away from GT it is that you should show passion for what you do but also conduct yourself with self belief and respect.
Graham Taylor what you've done for my hometown and my football club will never be forgotten.
RIP GT- Time for our team to continue to make you proud
Theres only one Graham Taylor
You 'Orns
Watford 0-0 Middlesborough
Man of the Match- Okaka
Special shoutout to the Boro fans who conducted themselves fantastically and really added to giving GT a deserved send off.
@Adzrowe on twitter
Monday 9 January 2017
Watford 2-0 Burton Albion
Its felt like ages since I did my report on the Crystal Palace match and after deciding not to do a report on the Spurs match I haven't actually written one of these this year yet. However this year I do intend to be more consistent with a write up of some description happening after every match.
A quick few words on the Spurs match, personally I was raging following the game with the complete lack of passion shown on the pitch by The Hornets. I hate seeing us lose but if we lose in a committed manner then it is certainly is easier to accept. I think everyone around the club knew the performance was unacceptable and with another defeat at Stoke the following Tuesday the pressure was really starting to mount of Walter Mazzari.
Watford had the chance to find that winning feeling as we hosted Burton Albion of the championship at Vicarage Road in the FA Cup 3rd round. It was vital we won at all costs and this was shown through a strong selection by Walter Mazzari as he fielded many of his "fit" first team players.
After reaching the semi final last year I would personally love us to go on another cup run as it is sometimes a welcome distraction from the Premier League particularly if we find ourselves out of the relegation battle in a few weeks. Although we do need to pick some points up very soon or we will be dragged in to a battle for survival.
The Hornets started well but there was sense of nervousness around The Vic and an early opening goal was going to be needed to settle the fans and the players. Thankfully we took the lead just after 20 minutes when youngster Brandon Mason found Christian Kabasele at the back post leaving the Belgian with a tap in.
Now the reaction of Brandon Mason when we scored is exactly what us fans want to see, he looked absolutely thrilled to have set up that goal showing a real passion for the club, something that seems to have left many players over the Christmas period.
There were chances for Odion Ighalo and Ettiene Capoue but neither doubled The Hornets lead meaning for the first time in ages we went in at half time ahead. We looked relatively comfortable but Burton did show in flashes they were more than still in the game.
It was the visitors who started the better in the second half and Luke Varney should've levelled the cup tie but somehow headed wide from close range.
However Watford booked their place into the 4th round through an excellent goal from Jerome Sinclair, he took the ball from the halfway line, skipped past a few Burton players before firing home. Again you could see how much the goal meant to him and he's certainly given Mazzari something to think about.
It wasn't a glamorous performance but it was a win and thats the most important thing in these kind of games. Hopefully we secure another winnable tie in the fourth round draw that takes place tonight (Monday) at 7pm.
We move on to next weeks home game v Middlesborough which for is a must win and 3 points would most certinaly lift the spirits around the club even more.
Onwards and Upwards we must stay behind the boys!
You 'Orns!
Watford 2-0 Burton Albion
Man of the match- Mason- played pretty well and was a bright spark for The Hornets
Pogba v Capoue- I will do this when Capoue decides to turn up for Watford again
Match rating- 5/10
@adzrowe twitter
Thanks as always for supporting my blog
A quick few words on the Spurs match, personally I was raging following the game with the complete lack of passion shown on the pitch by The Hornets. I hate seeing us lose but if we lose in a committed manner then it is certainly is easier to accept. I think everyone around the club knew the performance was unacceptable and with another defeat at Stoke the following Tuesday the pressure was really starting to mount of Walter Mazzari.
Watford had the chance to find that winning feeling as we hosted Burton Albion of the championship at Vicarage Road in the FA Cup 3rd round. It was vital we won at all costs and this was shown through a strong selection by Walter Mazzari as he fielded many of his "fit" first team players.
After reaching the semi final last year I would personally love us to go on another cup run as it is sometimes a welcome distraction from the Premier League particularly if we find ourselves out of the relegation battle in a few weeks. Although we do need to pick some points up very soon or we will be dragged in to a battle for survival.
The Hornets started well but there was sense of nervousness around The Vic and an early opening goal was going to be needed to settle the fans and the players. Thankfully we took the lead just after 20 minutes when youngster Brandon Mason found Christian Kabasele at the back post leaving the Belgian with a tap in.
Now the reaction of Brandon Mason when we scored is exactly what us fans want to see, he looked absolutely thrilled to have set up that goal showing a real passion for the club, something that seems to have left many players over the Christmas period.
There were chances for Odion Ighalo and Ettiene Capoue but neither doubled The Hornets lead meaning for the first time in ages we went in at half time ahead. We looked relatively comfortable but Burton did show in flashes they were more than still in the game.
It was the visitors who started the better in the second half and Luke Varney should've levelled the cup tie but somehow headed wide from close range.
However Watford booked their place into the 4th round through an excellent goal from Jerome Sinclair, he took the ball from the halfway line, skipped past a few Burton players before firing home. Again you could see how much the goal meant to him and he's certainly given Mazzari something to think about.
It wasn't a glamorous performance but it was a win and thats the most important thing in these kind of games. Hopefully we secure another winnable tie in the fourth round draw that takes place tonight (Monday) at 7pm.
We move on to next weeks home game v Middlesborough which for is a must win and 3 points would most certinaly lift the spirits around the club even more.
Onwards and Upwards we must stay behind the boys!
You 'Orns!
Watford 2-0 Burton Albion
Man of the match- Mason- played pretty well and was a bright spark for The Hornets
Pogba v Capoue- I will do this when Capoue decides to turn up for Watford again
Match rating- 5/10
@adzrowe twitter
Thanks as always for supporting my blog
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)