Watford Observer: Can Watford provide some optimism at motivated West Brom?

Watford Observer: MATCHDAY LIVE: West Brom 3-0 Watford

Match Report: Watford sink without a trace again in 3-0 West Brom defeat

Still insists Watford players are hurting after ‘hugely painful’ defeat

Non-response at West Brom marks this out as Watford’s worst end-of-season run

BBC: West Bromwich Albion secured their Championship survival as they eased past sorry Watford at The Hawthorns.

Sky: Isaac Price scored the first goal and made the second for Daryl Dike’s second in as many games before half-time as James Morrison’s side made it nine games unbeaten. On-loan Crystal Palace right-back Danny Imray scored a deserved third goal for the Baggies, who made it 488 minutes without conceding.

Fran’s Watford Blog: This was an awful game with almost no redeeming features. There was a lack of energy in the performance, but I put that down to a lack of confidence among a group of young players for whom nothing seems to be working. I don’t see a lack of effort from the majority of the players. Maamma was, again, a constant threat and I really wish his late shot had gone in as he deserved a goal. The other positive was the return of Ngakia who we have missed since he was injured. But we were well beaten on the night, and it is hard to see us getting any more points this season.

WFC.Net goal commentary: 1

BBC: West Brom held on to end their five-match winless run and boost their flagging play-off bid with a victory over Watford.

Sky: Tom Fellows was the star of the match with two identical assists to Karlan Grant and Mikey Johnston as the Baggies were able to beat the Hornets for the first time since December 2016 – moving up to seventh in the table.

Watford Observer: RECAP: West Brom 2 Watford 1

West Brom 2 Watford 1 minute-by-minute report

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Was there a glimpse into the future amid narrow defeat at The Hawthorns?

‘You’d rather be the effective team than the team that is good on the eye’

BHappy: Ultimately we played like what we are; a mid-table team missing some of its more fun players. West Brom also look like a mid-table team (albeit at least one of those tends to make the play-offs) but deserved to win on the basis of scoring twice to our once. A mid-table team is not what we aspire to be, perhaps, but it’s fine for the moment. There are worse things to be, after all (hellooooo Luton, but not just Luton – others have coped with No Longer Being a Premier League Club far worse than we have).

Fran’s Watford Blog: It had been an enjoyable, competitive game. After the early goal, the Hornets had the better of the first half and were unlucky to go in a goal down. Heads seem to drop after the second goal, but they soon rallied and were fighting for a point right to the end of the game. Sissoko scored his second goal in a week, and it was another good effort. It was good to see Dwomoh return to competitive action as it gives us another option. This game certainly didn’t have the end of season feel that characterised the Hull game. I hope that they continue to fight in the remaining games, so that we can have a positive end to the season, while avoiding a play-off place.

From the Rookery End: After heading to the Hawthorns (via the brilliant Vine pub!) Mike was joined to discuss the game by Colin and Adam Drury. The trio talk about Tom’s achievements this year and whether he actually deserves more credit, despite a downturn in results. Adam and Colin disagree on how culpable the midfield is in giving up goals, while there is also chat about Jeremy Ngakia’s good form, Caleb Wiley’s improving showings and Moussa Sissoko’s scoring record – among much much more.

WFC.Net goal commentary: 1  2

Sky: Darnell Furlong scored a dramatic late equaliser for West Brom as they took another point in their efforts to secure a Sky Bet Championship play-off spot with a hard-fought 2-2 home draw against Watford.

BBC: Second-half strikes from Edo Kayembe and Mileta Rajovic put the Hornets in control. Brandon Thomas-Asante halved the deficit with an angled shot, and Darnell Furlong’s piledriver in added time completed an impressive comeback by the Baggies.

Watford Observer: Late equaliser doesn’t hide another step forward for Watford

Watford boss felt only two points from Easter was harsh

Cleverley says Watford changes in attack helped team defend

BHappy: A word for Mileta Rajović, who got a proper run here for the first time in Tom’s three games to date.  I’ve been fooled by suggestions like this before that haven’t been followed through in subsequent games, so let’s see but…  one of the frustrations with the big striker has been his reluctance, perhaps inability to weaponise his size.   He grapples, he competes, though his total lack of acceleration makes him less of a nuisance than he might be…  but he’s not shown enough evidence of an ability to bully opponents. He bullied West Brom here.  His forty minutes or so was aggressive and effective…  somehow he no longer seemed to be lumbering slightly haplessly after the game but was very much at the centre of it.  Competing for headers he had little chance of winning but leaving something on his marker anyway, just to let him know he had a scrap on his hands.  Pushing away challenges and spreading the play as teammates scampered away from him.  Bellowing at Emmanuel Dennis’ selfishness (yes, really) as the Nigerian picked up the pieces after Palmer had pushed away a TDB drive and smacked a shot against the post from a ridiculous angle rather than pulling back for the Dane to tap in.  Arguing with fellow sub Martins, claiming rights to a free kick won on the edge of the area… Martins prevailed and curled a shot gently into the keeper’s chest, a Rajović set piece would have been morbidly fascinating.  Finally, flying in at the far post to stretch and turn in yet another Lewis cross; the celebration was in front of the away section and screamed both joy and relief.  We screamed with him, a fine moment irrespective of what happened subsequently.

Fran’s Watford Blog: After the final whistle, Hoedt led the players over to applaud us while ruefully shaking his head.  The travelling faithful gave the players a really good reception and Cleverley was greeted with a loud chorus of his name.