Monday 30 December 2013

GUARDIAN: Half Term Report

From time to time we get asked to contribute a few FTRE thoughts for a Guardian website feature. This month, Mike, along with fans from every Championship club, was asked to contribute a 'Half Term Report on the Hornets season so far.

Here's what he had to say:


Season in one word Turbulent. (Isn't it always?)
How's it going? It all started so well. Goals were flying in all over the place (we beat Bournemouth 6-1 and Barnsley 5-1) and we were seemingly making a mockery of the post play-off hangover theories. Goals have continued to be bountiful in Watford fixtures, but recently, they have almost exclusively been scored by the opposition. Gifting Sheffield Wednesday an early Christmas present, their first away win and first clean sheet of the season proved to be too much for the head coach, and the Zolacoaster came to a shuddering halt. The loss to the Owls was the fifth home defeat in a row and the fourth consecutive game without a Watford goal, so whilst Zola's resignation was disappointing, it was far from a shock to most. The new head coach, Giuseppe Sannino, has plenty of work to do if he is going to turn this season round.
Who's been the star? The Pozzo Family (Watford's owners) promised supporters that if attendances hit a certain level, they would tear down the redundant, unusable relic of an East Stand and replace it with a shiny new structure. No sooner had Vicarage Road crowds averaged at the magic number, the bulldozers moved in and work began. After numerous false dawns and aborted projects, owners delivering on this particular promise is genuine cause for celebration. Gianfranco Zola handled his resignation with typical class, and his heartfelt open letter to supporters ensured he will be remembered for last year's fun instead of this year's funk.
Biggest disappointment? Since work finally began on the East Stand, our form has evaporated. One can only assume we've disturbed some sort of ancient burial ground, or activated a curse placed on us by L*t*n fans. This is obvious as concerning as it is disappointing. The biggest let-down however, is that we haven't been able to push on from last year, and that after such excitement and promise, we're now going backwards. It all feels a bit 'so near yet so far' at the moment.
All we want for Christmas is … Initially, we'd love to unwrap some sparkling, fresh linen. That's right Santa, clean sheets are top of our list. If we can stop leaking goals, confidence will grow and build, and that's when the talent in this squad should start to shine through. If we may be so bold as to add another thing to our list (we've been good boys and girls, we promise) could we ask that the new manager is a success? He's filling some big shoes (metaphorically at least) and is up against it. If Father Christmas could ensure that his appointment proves to be another Pozzo masterstroke, I'll happily withdraw my request for a PlayStation 4.

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Saturday 7 December 2013

MATCH REPORT: Ipswich 1-1 Watford

Watford’s starting 3-5-2 formation felt like a Watford ghost of Christmas present. New Hornets Head Coach, Giuseppe Sannino, may have made 7 changes from the last line up named by Gianfranco Zola a week earlier, but the faces and ethos didn’t seem too different. The Ipswich Town team seemed like a Watford ghost of Christmas past - a team happy to find themselves 10th in the championship, after struggling with relegation last season, and a stern talking British manager.

The tie had a scrappy feel at the start. Watford began as slightly the better side with a series of good linking plays which came to nothing, showed that attack was most definitely in mind, but new tactics were still getting used to. Pressure was certainly the aim with Troy Deeney showing intent to cause the Ipswich defence problems, creating several opportunities for the Hornets, even forcing an early yellow card for Ipswich defender Tommy Smith. The desire for Watford was to get the ball back as high up the pitch as possible. The first half an hour saw Watford with the upper hand, but it took until 26 minutes for Dean Gerken, in the Ipswich goal, to be truly troubled. Diego Fabbrini’s shot that hit the angle of the post and the bar. Almunia at the other end had little to do, with only set plays getting the Tracktor boys anywhere close to scoring.

As the half time oranges were calling, Watford continued to make chances. Lewis McGugan was running more with the ball, Diego Fabbrini seemed more at home carrying it through the middle rather than out wide and we saw more productive strength from Troy Deeney. However, there was a distinct lack of final product from Watford that was still present in the first 45 minutes at Portman Road.

The rain that had started half way through the first half continued into the second half. Both teams pushed for their first goal - Watford with all the stylish moves, but the roar of the Ipswich fans made the game feel it was more in their hands. Watford kept to the plan and on 55 minutes Sean Murray went closest forcing a good save. The roar of an animated Sanninio, who wasn’t interested in the constraints of the tactical area, was not having an effect to change the “nice football, but no goals” pattern of recent frustrating Watford results. That frustration grew for Watford fans when Gabrielle Angella was judged to have handled a crossing ball in the penalty area on the 71 minute. It was hit home for Ipswich by David McGoldrick. The Watford Head Coach’s substitutions saw Sean Murray replaced by Cristian Battocchio and Anya on for Daniel Pudil. Would this add a new attack to Watford game?  It did in the 81st minute with Troy Deeney adding his 10th goal of the season when he stretched to meet a deflected Cassetti cross at the near post. The third and final attacking minded sub was made with 8 minutes to go when Fernando Foresti replaced Fabbrini.

The closing 5 minutes saw a cool Watford, but Ipswich on the front foot with a frustrated home crowd behind them. Their final best chances came in a spell of about 10 second in the 87 minute. After a fantastic Almunia save, a header against the bar and then a wide shot to finish off their last real chance. Watford, seemingly happy with an away draw tried to take the tie with the fresh legs of Fessi and Anya, but to no avail.

It was only game one of Gisueppe Sannino’s tenure as Watford Head Coach, but I think we’re yet to see the Watford ghost of Christmas future.

Watford Line Up:
Almunia (GK) (C)
Doyley, Angella, Ekstrand;
Cassetti, Murray (Battochio, 76), Thorne, McGugan, Pudil;
Fabbrini, Deeney.

SUBS:
Bond (GK), Battocchio, McEachran, Forestieri, Anya, Iriney, Nosworthy.

Attendance: 16,385

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