Crystal Palace 1-0 Watford

Only football has the effect to ruin my whole weekend and true to form it did against this weekend. Another dismal display saw The Hornets fall to a pitiful away defeat to Crystal Palace.

The week that led up to the game was the most nervous I've felt about a game all year knowing that if we were safe. I couldn't comprehend losing against Palace, I really should've prepared myself for it. It just felt inevitable from when the team was announced that we were going to lose. Why on earth Mazzari felt it was acceptable to play 4-5-1 against one of the worst defences in the league is beyond me. It left Deeney isolated up front and the lack of creativity was painful.

We were poor in the first half but certainly looked marginally more in control than Palace who knew they had to win the game. However neither keeper was tested in the opening 45, in truth the game wouldn't have looked out of place in League 2. For me we had to take the game to the Eagles and im sure the rest of the away allocation thought the same but the one person who matters stupidly disagrees. Mazzari had the chance to relieve the pressure and he completely bottled it.

The second half got worse, as Palace came into the game it was clear Watford were going to buckle under the pressure. The introduction of Nordin Amrabat was a positive but the negative tactics that our clueless Italian set us up with meant he didn't have an impact on the game.

The opening goal soon came and it wasn't for us (unsurprisingly!). Sebastian Prödl gave away a needless free kick in a dangerous position and was punished when Troy Deeney headed into his own net to give the hosts the lead.

On a side note Palace did the most cringeworthy thing in football with their announcer shouting OWN and their fans calling back GOAL. How we were losing to such a club is beyond me. Followed by the "Glad all over" the worst song in English Football the mood in the away end was dismal.

Doucoure had a speculative effort that was saved and thats about as good as it got to be honest. We never looked like scoring and we were a beaten team the minute the game kicked off. Palace failed to have a single shot on target all game and still won. That im afraid is unacceptable on Walter's part and the players part, there was no application.

The full time whistle blew and things turned toxic, the players came over to applaud the fans and they were rightly booed by many. Walter as per went straight down the tunnel and the only players that deserved any recognition were Gomes and Deeney for holding this club together.

For me Walter has to go, maybe not now but definitely at the end of the season. For the first time in my supporting life there is absolutely no connection between the fans and the manager. He has made no effort with the supporters, which is probably why there is such a large proportion who want him out.

We are probably safe lets face it, but it will end a disappointing season. When you reflect there hasn't been a consistent period where we've actually played really well. Change is needed to get this club back on the track it needs to be on and I am sure Gino has to be considering Walter's future.

Sunderland at home in a couple of weeks is the biggest game of the season without a doubt. A win and we are all but safe. Lose and we really are in trouble, particularly with a difficult run in where we play Spurs, Chelsea, Liverpool and City.

We go again and the players must pick themselves up, seeming as our manager cant seem to do anything right at the moment.


Palace 1-0 Watford

WFC man of the match: Erm??

Capoue v Pogba: Capoue is shite, so is Pogba.

Away day rating; 2/10- I enjoyed my beer before hand

Match rating- 0/10- Awful game.


@Adzrowe on twitter.

#WalterOut

Watford 3-4 Southampton

When I woke up Saturday I didn't get the buzz that I normally do for a home game. I have found myself losing interest in football as a whole recently and although I will always be passionate about Watford I have lost the drive to get to The Vic recently. Now although I am more than happy to be 13th in the Premier League I have had enough of consistent uninspiring performances that get served every week. 

I wasn't optimistic as I headed along Vicarage Road but it appeared I should have had more faith (well in the early stages anyway). Troy Deeney spectacularly volleyed the hornets in front inside 5 minutes, the way he adjusted his body to find the top corner was remarkable. In another day of dross, the skipper still proves there is some heart in this team. But just like last week against West Ham the hornets couldn't build on taking an early lead. Instead we sat back and let a very talented Southampton team come on to us, it was no surprise we were punished. 

The visitors equalised when more slack defending allowed Tadic to drill in a shot past Gomes to fire the saints deservedly level. It is so frustrating that we wait for the other team to equalise before we go looking for more goals, well this week we didn't really get the chance to retake the lead. Shortly before the break Nathan Redmond skipped past the statue like Hornets midfield and defence before slotting past Gomes. The Saints went in at half time 2-1 at the break. 

The addition of Isaac Success gave Watford some more creativity and we were level when Stefano Okaka scored from the Nigerians cross. It was well and truly game on I thought and the owners shouldve been on the home side to go on and take 3 points. Nope that doesn't happen under Walter Mzzarri. 

The visitors restored their lead very quickly when Gomes spilled Boufal's long range effort leaving in form Gabbiadini with a tap to send the travelling fans into raptures. We didn't deserve to be level in the first place, I am not sure anyone knew what formation we were playing or how we were meant to be playing. A fourth goals soon came when Redmond again was allowed the freedom of Vicarage Road to fire another past Gomes. Docuoure pulled a goal back at the death but it was too little too late and Mazzari got exactly what he deserved. 

There is absolutely no identity about this team and I am affraid the buck stops right at the manager. Mazzari plays the most negative football I have seen at Vicarage Road in a long time and his questionable tactics/team selections don't make it any easier to warm to him. Why on earth would you play Younes Kaboul at right back against Nathan Redmond? It was only going to end catastrophically. Now if I and 20,000 others can notice that then why cant he. 

Furthermore the lack of connection between this team and the fans is horrendous, again the manager is behind this. How can you warm to a squad and a manager when you have to listen to everything he says through a translator? Not that I want to hear a word he says when he says things like "we deserved to draw" when it is quite frankly obvious we deserved ZERO. 

Theres no unity and there is no spirit at the moment and until either Walter changes or another managerial move is made then I'm afraid things aren't going to get any better. It is time Mazzari fronted up to some of the clear errors he is making, if he did I don't think anyone would be half as angry with him or the team. What makes it worse is that this is the most talented squad we have ever had in the modern era and they aren't producing half of what they could. Maybe if we played a suitable style their full potential would be unleashed. 

For now though we stick with the football club and we move on to Palace away in two weeks time. The fact the away end hasn't sold out says enough to me and surely the board should see that too. 

I really don't want to be negative but after yesterday I really don't feel like theres anything positive to say. 

We go again!

You 'Orns!

Watford 3-4 Southampton 

Man of the match- Stefano Okaka- he held the ball up well and neatly took his goal. I would have him start again against Palace. 

Pogba v Capoue- I cant believe I even thought this feature was a good idea. Although when Capoue is playing as a wide midfielder then you cant blame him. 

Next game: Crystal Palace (A): 

@Adzrowe on twitter