Month: August 2016

23rd August 2016- League Cup First Round, Watford 1 Gillingham 2 (After Extra Time)

http://watford.fcdb.info?id=5215

screen-shot-2016-09-12-at-23-36-22clips of Jon Marks BBC 3CR commentary

Goal 1

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fran's watford blogAs we waited for kick-off, a lot of balls were flying in to the Rookery, one of which hit a little lad a couple of rows behind me.  I heard applause and then saw Guedioura running up the aisle past us to make sure that the child was OK and give him a ball to take home.  That may well have been the highlight of the evening.

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20th August 2016- Premier League, Watford 1 Chelsea 2

screen-shot-2016-09-12-at-23-36-22clips of Jon Marks BBC 3CR commentary
Goal 1

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The post-game analysis took one of two themes.  Either we were robbed or we gave Chelsea the victory.  Some argued that Costa who, television pictures confirmed, was guilty of ‘simulation’ having already been booked should not have been on the pitch to score the winning goal.  But it was mistakes by a tiring Watford team and the tendency to sit back and defend the lead that led to the goals.  Also, given that the Chelsea substitutions changed the game, you have to wonder why we didn’t introduce some fresh legs to challenge them.  But, taking a positive view, it says a lot for the progress of the team that we are bemoaning a narrow loss to Chelsea, having been the better side for the first 70 minutes.  I was expecting nothing from this game so, having seen an entertaining match with no little quality from the Watford players, while I was disappointed I left the stadium with no complaints.

WATFORD 1-2 CHELSEA: With Mike away topping up his tan in Greece, Jon and Jason are joined by Jordi to react to the home loss against Chelsea. They talk about the rise of Etienne Capoue “Goal Scorer”, how the final 25 man squad is shaping up, and who might lose out after the signing of Roberto Pereyra and Younes Kabol.

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13th August 2016- Premier League, Southampton 1 Watford 1

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Goal 1

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BBC Sport Nathan Redmond scored on his first Premier League appearance for Southampton to rescue a point against Watford at St Mary’s Stadium. Etienne Capoue rifled the Hornets into the lead after a header by Troy Deeney created space for the midfielder.

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fran's watford blogAt the final whistle, a number of the Watford players collapsed to the floor and, I must admit, that I wanted to follow suit as I had been exhausted watching that second half from the stands.  The players came over to thank the travelling fans.  They were not joined by Mazzarri, but that is not meant as criticism as he did give the crowd an appreciative wave before disappearing down the tunnel.  He is rather animated in the dugout and could bring us some entertainment on that score this season.

https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/premier-league/15-august-2016/

6th August 2016- Friendly, Watford 2 Lorient 2

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Watford Observer Follow the action from Watford’s final pre-season friendly

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Troy Deeney celebrated the sixth anniversary of his Hornets debut by crashing home a penalty in first-half injury time before a delightful chip from Odion Ighalo rounded off a good breakaway move just short of the hour put the hosts in command. But the two-goal advantage was to be shortlived – Zargo Toure netting a superb free-kick from 25 yards – before the Hornets rearguard was unpicked by a fine move started and finished Romain Philippoteaux.

It had been an enjoyable game, without setting the World alight.  Success had the best game that I had seen from him, probably due to the fact that he was playing upfront rather than in the midfield.  The guys sitting next to me were impressed and commented that he should start, but they were shouted down by a youngster in front who angrily told them that Success should be brought on to change the game.  An interesting perspective, but I agree with the first opinion.  It was also good to see Ighalo score.  He is a player that feeds off confidence, so that lovely goal can’t have done him any harm.  Special mention must also go to Emma Saunders who did a tremendous job with names of the Lorient team and substitutes.