Monthly Archives: November 2018

24th November 2018- Premier League, Watford 0 Liverpool 3

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Screen Shot 2018-11-30 at 21.08.43 Referee:Jonathan Moss Attendance:20,540

Watford Observer

Watford vs Liverpool: Relive coverage of the Premier League clash at Vicarage Road

Watford vs Liverpool: Hornets stung by second half strikes

Watford vs Liverpool: Jurgen Klopp salutes ‘really mature performance’

Watford vs Liverpool: Javi Gracia feels ‘bit unlucky’ with ‘some decisions’ for second game running

Watford Player Ratings: Ben Foster stars in Liverpool defeat

IN PICTURES: Images from Watford’s defeat to Liverpool

Watford’s Will Hughes says he was caught by Liverpool’s Andrew Robertson

FAN’S VIEW: Positives to be taken from Watford’s loss to Liverpool

Watford had the ball in the net inside three minutes but the goal was ruled out for offside. A long ball was touched on by Troy Deeney, allowing Gerard Deulofeu to race through but, as he slotted past Alisson, the offside flag was correctly raised.

Hosts Watford were aggrieved not to be awarded a penalty when Reds defender Andy Robertson appeared to foul Will Hughes while the score was level.

Although the tackle was clearly mistimed, it was hard to tell whether he made contact with Hughes. Watford’s players claimed there had been an obvious foul but the referee, Jon Moss, disagreed. Shortly after that Liverpool went in front thanks to the first high-class move of the match.

In a match where the opening goal always felt it would be decisive, it was crucial. Gracia was non-committal. “The last two games we have been unlucky with some decisions but I prefer to support the referees,” he said. There was still plenty to encourage Gracia in defeat. Watford willingly conceded possession, but were defensively sound. Ben Foster was outstanding. They had their chances.

So the first of two home games in ten days against ostensibly the strongest clubs in the country. Beaten fair and square, but the scoreline doesn’t do justice to our performance which was better than that, or to the strategy selected which asked a lot of us but wasn’t a million miles from earning a result. Good decisions don’t guarantee good outcomes, it’s difficult to conceive of an approach that would have had a better chance of success.

Prior to kick-off there was a superb set of banners in the away end protesting Scudamore’s golden handshake. Well done to the Liverpool fans for that.

In short we were good, should have had a penalty, but ultimately not good enough to beat an excellent Liverpool side.

It was a result that didn’t exactly tell the whole picture of the match, but Jon, Jason and Mike talk through a positive performance from the Hornets.

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10th November 2018- Premier League, Southampton 1 Watford 1

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Referee:Simon Hooper

Attendance:28,153

clips of Jon Marks BBC 3CR commentary Goals: 1

Watford Observer

RELIVE: Southampton vs Watford: Jose Holebas secures a point at St Mary’s

Southampton vs Watford: Controversy surrounds two big decisions

Southampton vs Watford: Javi Gracia prompts laughter when asked about referee Simon Hooper’s key decisions in draw

Watford player ratings: Jose Holebas secures a point at Southampton

Watford’s Nathaniel Chalobah critical of referee after Southampton stalemate

Jose Holebas’ late strike denied Southampton a first Premier League win of the season at St Mary’s as Watford came from behind to earn a 1-1 draw on Saturday.

Despite Watford enjoying some good fortune to equalise, manager Javi Gracia also felt aggrieved not to be awarded a penalty when Ryan Bertrand appeared to foul Nathaniel Chalobah. “There were different situations that were difficult for the referee but it was a clear penalty,” he said.

The man at the centre of it all was Simon Hooper, the referee who up until the 57th minute was getting on with his duties with little fuss. But then came the meltdown. First, he failed to award Watford a clear penalty following Ryan Bertrand’s rash tackle on Nathaniel Chalobah and, six minutes later, decided to ruled out a second Southampton goal for what turned out to be a wholly incorrect reason.

The visitors found a way back eight minutes from the end. Southampton failed to deal with a cross from the left, a deflected clearance and there was Jose Holebas to lash home, via a deflection off Cedric, from just inside the penalty area. Southampton were unable to contain their frustrations.

“Tell you what Matt, the next time we come here, let’s not park in Portsmouth…?” Paul’s an affable sort of bloke, not one for unnecessary or exaggerated protest and in fairness he has a point. Our reserved parking space is actually only half a mile or so from the ground as the crow flies but with the River Itchen in the way it’s a good two miles as the Watford fan trudges. This seemed like a reasonable idea without the filter of the pissing rain, and on the way into Southampton the prospect of snarled traffic put us off from looking for something a bit closer. As it is we arrive damp and tired, and that classic football fan’s war wound, the burn on the roof of the mouth thanks to a hastily inhaled balti pie, doesn’t brighten the outlook. Loz materialises, over from gadding it in Spain, this helps, but as the teams come out it’s absolutely hammering it down.

Prior to kick-off there was a minute’s silence to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War which was accompanied by a rendition of The Last Post. The only other sound that could be heard was the rain on the roof of the stand.

I thought Watford were a bit sluggish in the first half, sloppy in possession and just generally a bit lackluster. Second half however we were much improved, the introduction of Deeney shortly before halftime I think was crucial. If you take away just one trait, one characteristic of this Watford side so far this season it’s that they never give up. We pushed Southampton right until the end and threw the kitchen sink at grabbing a winner. The team spirit that Javi has created in this side is infectious.

This week podcast hears Colin head off to St Mary’s for a draw. It’s another one of our away day diaries where we talk you through our day and our conversations. You’ll hear him talk to many Watford fans, about their away trips and what makes a fantastic journey away from The Vic.

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3rd November 2018- Premier League, Newcastle United 1 Watford 0

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Watford Observer

RELIVE – Newcastle United vs Watford: Ayoze Perez header settles Premier League clash

Ayoze Perez’s header condemned Watford to a 1-0 defeat at St James’ Park as Newcastle recorded their first Premier League win of the season.

Newcastle-United-vs-Watford_-Ayoze-Perez-sends-Hornets-to-Premier-League-defeat-_-Watford-Observer-1 Download

Newcastle United vs Watford: Missed opportunities disappoint Javi Gracia in Premier League defeat

Watford player ratings: Wastefulness undermines team performance in Newcastle United loss

IN PICTURES: Images from Watford’s defeat at Newcastle United

Adrian Mariappa: Wasteful Watford frustrate defender during Newcastle United loss

Newcastle recorded their first Premier League victory of the season as Ayoze Perez scored in a 1-0 win over Watford on Saturday. Having failed to win any of their opening 10 league games of a season for just the second time in their history, the relief around St James Park’ was clear to see when the striker headed home (64).

The Magpies rode their luck in the first half, with Watford duo Adrian Mariappa and Gerard Deulofeu both guilty of spurning excellent opportunities to put the Hornets ahead.

It might have been very different had Deufoleu been wearing his shooting boots but Fernández held Newcastle together commendably, his presence serving as a form of gloriously adhesive super-glue.

The joy that erupted was followed by anxiety, with 25 minutes still left to play. Watford should have equalised, Andre Gray denied a tap-in by a magnificent last-ditch tackle from Kenedy before Stefano Okaka scooped over from six yards in stoppage time. “If you don’t kill the game when you have chance to do it, something like this can happen,” said manager Javi Gracia.

Yeah. Defeat, then. A bloody long way to come for an underwhelming outcome. If there was a consolation it was that there are worse places to visit than Newcastle with its admirable carpet of proper pubs. We visited a third before braving the train journey home.

There were a lot of angry Watford fans after the game. There was some justification for this as Newcastle had been very poor and were there for the taking. But the first half performance had been impressive and the Hornets should have been 3 or 4 up at half time. If the Pereyra shot that hit the crossbar early in the second half had gone in, we would have won the game. But Newcastle worked hard, managed to get a goal from a set piece and it seemed to be game over from that point. Still it is very dispiriting to hear so much anger directed at the players who have entertained us wonderfully so far this season. We are half way to safety with less than 30% of the games played, so are already on the way to having a great season. There will be the odd blip, but that shouldn’t derail the support as we are all in this together. It would be great if some of our more volatile supporters could remember that.

A game that we should have won comfortably but didn’t.
The definition of ‘doing a Watford’.

A annoying and frustrating trip to Newcastle for the Hornets, but, the following day, Jon. Mike and Colin aren’t too upset about the defeat. On Sunday afternoon, they discuss the game, Watford’s coverage in the press this week and reflect on the sad loss of the Leicester City Chairman.

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