Watford v Leeds Utd Post Match Discussion

[1964white]

At least Farke learnt something tonight. He won’t be breaking the Ampadu/Rodon partnership again this season. Not a chance.

If he does, expect the play-offs.

[1964white]

With everything that’s been going on, Firpo arriving back at god knows what time, the Welsh lads mentally drained from their Euro exploits and injuries to Gruev/Gnonto that’s a decent point for me.

Was a decent point in the end, we could easily have stolen a victory, Kev.

[1964white]

Why did we revert to that sit back stuff 1st half. . . . .

Invited pressure onto a much changed defence and midfield.

God knows mate.

[1964white]

I thought Cooper stayed off Dennis. He knew he had cover directly him. Allowed him time to pick his spot. Kamara was disappointing and lacked physicality all night. James got a lot of the ball but did very little with it.

All three were poor, although Kamara didn't have the steady influence of his usual partner alongside him.

[1964white]

I actually think Ampadu has forgotten how to play midfield and is a better centre half....he has Bobby Moore type qualities.

You could be right 60s, it all seemed normal again once he was paired with Rodon, I haven't seen Joe so frustrated this season as he showed tonight.

Ampadu played regularly as a CB for the Blunts.

[1964white]

I think Gruev was a big miss today. If he's not available i'd still probably stick with Rodon and Ampadu at the back as we look much more secure and improvise in midfield.

Spot on Marie let's get back to clean sheets again.

[weasel]

Fairly much same as what mostpeople have said I think it was a good point given the disjointed performance. It could be a crucial point as it puts a point ahead of Leicester which means they have to better our results to go ahead of us (rather than if they matched our results bt overtook us on goal difference). It keeps the gap to Southampton to what it was at the start of the day but it is 1 match less for Southampton to close the gap. It also means that if we gain a point over Ipswich we go above them, meaning that if they lose a match we only need to draw to go above them. So really an away point is a decent result specially given we were twice behind.

We definitely missed Ampadu being in defence and we missed Gruev immensely, possibly the biggest loss for us today. He gives us the element of control in midfield, which we never really got today, but also makes some crucial tackles. People say about Bamford being the big influence when he came back into the side but for me Gruev coming in was the biggest difference. I think Kamara improved too when Gruev came into the side. Gruev doing his job also enabled Firpo to come into the side and attack. So for me Gruev being out disrupted so many other positions.

Hopefully Gruev is fit on Monday, otherwise I'd be tempted to put Gray into midfield with Byram at RB, and Ampadu back into defence. I don't think Farke had any other choice today as I doubt Firpo could have done the 90 so Gray had to be RB. The only option was Shackleton but he has missed a lot of training of late so doubtful he was a starting option.

[The Subhuman]

At least Farke learnt something tonight. He won’t be breaking the Ampadu/Rodon partnership again this season. Not a chance.

If Greuv doesn't play as DMF I'm not sure who does. Kamara and Gray aren't defensive mids imo, Crew has zero experience, Gyabi on loan and injured and Struijk injured also ..

[marie67]

If Greuv doesn't play as DMF I'm not sure who does. Kamara and Gray aren't defensive mids imo, Crew has zero experience, Gyabi on loan and injured and Struijk injured also ..

Shackleton is the most like for like.

I'd go with Gray and Kamara.

[1964white]

Firpo played on Wednesday morning in South America. Arrived without sleep yesterday. Rutter nine days after surgery. Cooper started for Scotland two days ago. Two times within three days for 90 minutes. Not one session together as a team. We had six players available during the break for training.

Please Daniel, don't even consider playing Cooper again, his days are numbered, just as was the case with dear old Luke.

Not all Coops fault, but it's no coincidence we have conceded six goals vs the Saints & Watford with our captain at the back. We've been rock solid for three months.

[1964white]

Gnonto is a huge loss.... as is Gruev.

Certainly was apparent tonight.

[Jaydog]

If Greuv doesn't play as DMF I'm not sure who does. Kamara and Gray aren't defensive mids imo, Crew has zero experience, Gyabi on loan and injured and Struijk injured also ..

Don’t know the answer but I’ll be amazed if he splits them up again.

[1964white]

Don’t know the answer but I’ll be amazed if he splits them up again.

My annoyance levels will raise again if he does, I blew a fuse far too many times in the first-half

Gray played in midfield for much of the second-half.

[1964white]

We missed his ball winning... Some of Watford's attacks would have not happened had he played. He maybe a better DMF than Ampadu

I reckon you are right, Gruev is so tidy & goes about his work with considerable ease.

[Cjay]

We missed his ball winning... Some of Watford's attacks would have not happened had he played. He maybe a better DMF than Ampadu

Tend to agree.

Big concern if he is out vs Hull as Fabio Carvalho is probably one of the best in the league playing in those spaces Gruev covers.

[weasel]

Surprised there isn't a positive nad negative thread, thought we liked to have as many threads as possible.

Huge positive tonight was Summerville getting his goal and hopefully he can have a good run of goals to end the season.

[AcrossThePondAsh]

Fairly much same as what mostpeople have said I think it was a good point given the disjointed performance. It could be a crucial point as it puts a point ahead of Leicester which means they have to better our results to go ahead of us (rather than if they matched our results bt overtook us on goal difference). It keeps the gap to Southampton to what it was at the start of the day but it is 1 match less for Southampton to close the gap. It also means that if we gain a point over Ipswich we go above them, meaning that if they lose a match we only need to draw to go above them. So really an away point is a decent result specially given we were twice behind.

We definitely missed Ampadu being in defence and we missed Gruev immensely, possibly the biggest loss for us today. He gives us the element of control in midfield, which we never really got today, but also makes some crucial tackles. People say about Bamford being the big influence when he came back into the side but for me Gruev coming in was the biggest difference. I think Kamara improved too when Gruev came into the side. Gruev doing his job also enabled Firpo to come into the side and attack. So for me Gruev being out disrupted so many other positions.

Hopefully Gruev is fit on Monday, otherwise I'd be tempted to put Gray into midfield with Byram at RB, and Ampadu back into defence. I don't think Farke had any other choice today as I doubt Firpo could have done the 90 so Gray had to be RB. The only option was Shackleton but he has missed a lot of training of late so doubtful he was a starting option.

There in lied the rub for for DF with today's line-up, Weasel. I'm sure his preference would have been to keep Joe and Amps paired up, but with Firpo getting back so late from his matches on this side of the pond and Shack's lack of match fitness, I think he did the best he could until he could make the shift later in the match.

[1964white]

Surprised there isn't a positive nad negative thread, thought we liked to have as many threads as possible.

Huge positive tonight was Summerville getting his goal and hopefully he can have a good run of goals to end the season.

Thanks for the reminder

[Broad Ford]

You’re a punter Broady
What odds?

I got 3.1 My initial punt was a treble on the top 3 winning, where only Ipswich delivered.

Mulling over the loss and with just under 20 mins + injury time remaining, I saw value in an equalizer.

Before the international break I was following another match and noticed real home draw, late value at 6. Why I didnt stake it I don't know and was left kicking myself at full time.

I'll be following the Ipswich, Southampton fixture next and at 1-0, I'll be watching the odds fluctuate waiting to profit from a late Southampton equaliser considering a defeat condemns them to the playoffs.

[malcolmw]

Why the sentimentality, starting Cooper.

Two of our defensive positions at the back & in the middle of the park caused mayhem.

I just knew breaking up the Ampadu/Rodon combination would disrupt our rhythm.

I agree. Always been a Coops fan for what he's done for the club, but he is now way too slow. Their second goal was from him been a yard behind his man right from the start.
Also thought Archie was caught ball watching for their first.
But the first half was always going to be disjointed. Players been in another system with another coach for 2 weeks. Can't just switch it back on.
Second half we were the better team.

MOM for me - Summerville - work rate, skill, reading the game. Goal was sheer class.