weasel wrote: ↑Sat Mar 30, 2024 7:57 pm
Indeed. No matter what Farke did it seems people were just waiting for us to have a bad result so they could say what they would have done thta would have won us the game. It wasn't even like it was a bad result. Watford are probably underachieving considering some of the players they have and considering it was an away match then even without all the disruption etc a point is hardly a bad result.
I really don't know what some people expected Farke to do with the selection. Firpo couldn't start, Gruev was unavailable, etc so what was the 'right' choice at the back? Suggestions for James to be dropped , well how is that going to improve his confidence? Suggestions for Rutter to have been rested but same as any player coming back from an injury you want to get some minutes so your body gets adjusted to the proper intensity. Play more of the 'rested' players well it was hardly like Bamford set the world alight. I presume Kamara didn't have another game after Finland lost to Wales and he didn't exactly shine.
For me this was almost the equivalent of trying to get as many players ready for the next few matches as Farke could. Almost like he knew this wasn't going to be a straightforward match, similar to how we stuttered aginst Huddersfield, but that it is almost a case of getting players back up to speed again.
The substitutions were bold, especially the Firpo for Cooper one. I didn't see that one coming but it was an excellent decision although if that one hadn't worked out I am sure Farke would have been given stick because too many players had to change positions to accomodate Firpo coming on (Byram to RB, Ampady to CB, Gray to CM).
As it was we showed great character to come back twice despite not being anywhere near our best.
Exactly. Seems to me he’s been fairly bold with his changes.
And Anthony could’ve sneaked it at the end and Farke would’ve been dancing on the table.
I declare my love for Saint Daniel and I can shoehorn him in to any conversation.
Jaydog wrote: ↑Sun Mar 31, 2024 9:48 am
Exactly. Seems to me he’s been fairly bold with his changes.
And Anthony could’ve sneaked it at the end and Farke would’ve been dancing on the table.
Farke's subs worked, as they often have done over the last few months.
Having our subs fit enough to impress when they come on is an asset, which clearly wasn't the case going back to the away game at Stoke.
Boo Radley wrote: ↑Sat Mar 30, 2024 10:21 pmThey really got their new manager bounce and it's not the first time we've faced that this season.
Also, Dennis was back for them and he can be a menace up front, especially if your defence is jittery or uncertain. The fact that he probably hurt himself in his celebratory gymnastics after scoring was hilarious as it was a thorn removed from our side.
So true, don't think there are anymore to come now.
Also with that Dennis, if I were manager I'd ban that summersault celebration, get it even slightly wrong and it can be disastrous.
" Man is not affected by events but by the view he takes of them "
1964white wrote: ↑Sun Mar 31, 2024 9:57 am
Farke's subs worked, as they often have done over the last few months.
Having our subs fit enough to impress when they come on is an asset, which clearly wasn't the case going back to the away game at Stoke.
It sort of seems that Farke knows which players are fit and ready and which aren't. Which players are out of form etc
For me there was little that he could do differently in terms of team selection. I don't think any other permutations would have made us much better as we'd still have been disjointed and then people would have been saying stuff like why didn't he put Ampadu int midfield, it is his strongest position etc. Sometimes having a player like Gruev out makes you realise how good they atually are even when it isn't as obvious when they are on the pitch.
Cjay wrote: ↑Sat May 17, 2025 4:23 pm
I've pretended to support a team that's been crap for most of my life as part of a long term plan
Victor_Notts-17 wrote: ↑Mon Jun 01, 2026 7:03 pm
Did you post them because there's something wrong with your brain
1964white wrote: ↑Sun Mar 31, 2024 11:31 am
On reflection, I'm happy with a point, bearing how many players under-performed.
It's the championship, we can't win every match.
It is a good point. Watford are better than Huddersfield and we played better v Watford, despite the poor first half, than we did against Huddersfield. We had a lot less disruption v Huddersfield and put out a stronger side. It is the championship and teams lose. Leicester losing to Bristol, Southampton losing to Millwall , Ipswich losing to Cardiff etc were all shock results. Our recent run has been pretty specialand I think it hasn't been appreciated as much as it should have been due to us not running away with the league.
Cjay wrote: ↑Sat May 17, 2025 4:23 pm
I've pretended to support a team that's been crap for most of my life as part of a long term plan
Victor_Notts-17 wrote: ↑Mon Jun 01, 2026 7:03 pm
Did you post them because there's something wrong with your brain
weasel wrote: ↑Sun Mar 31, 2024 11:53 am
It sort of seems that Farke knows which players are fit and ready and which aren't. Which players are out of form etc
For me there was little that he could do differently in terms of team selection. I don't think any other permutations would have made us much better as we'd still have been disjointed and then people would have been saying stuff like why didn't he put Ampadu int midfield, it is his strongest position etc. Sometimes having a player like Gruev out makes you realise how good they atually are even when it isn't as obvious when they are on the pitch.
In 'hindsight' (wonderful innit) I think we can all safely say we'd have preferred Amps at CH, and changes made elsewhere instead, but it's done now and he rescued a point.
If we happen to go up, I feel DF would be daft if he didn't take a good look at one of Watfords front 3 (probably Dennis, if he lost some timber) to help his cause with the style he plays.
Not dependent on Google, the www or 'stats' - Just a guy that puts his eyes to full use on the beautiful game ...That Ayling goal and "You couldn't script it " - Dirty Leeds B@stard.
Must dash.
;@)
Jaydog wrote: ↑Sat Mar 30, 2024 9:56 am
He did that on 63 minutes and his even later 80th plus minute subs nearly won the game and still he’s criticised by a lot of people.
Only because those subs were too late, which is Farke’s MO, unfortunately. Imagine if those 80 minute subs had another 5-10-15 minutes of game time to further get their footing…
Beggars can’t be choosers and I’m ecstatic that the changes were made and a tough point was salvaged. But it’s hard not to imagine what could’ve been had those subs been made sooner…
John in Louisiana wrote: ↑Sat Mar 30, 2024 1:08 pm
Can we all agree we were hurt, more than any other club, by the international break?
Not making excuses, but the loss of Gnonto and Gruev hurt us, not only in this game, but in a few more, apparently.
Much as I like Bamford, he had one of his worst games for us in a while and should have been subbed off for Joseph at halftime. I'm honestly having a hard time understanding why Mateo doesn't play more. All he ever does is score goals.
In previous posts I said I could understand why Farke made the decision to break up the Rodon/Ampadu pairing, but I think we saw that we need to abandon that strategy. We hadn't allowed a goal from open play all year with the two of them working in tandem and we allowed two the first time we split them up. I don't think that was coincidental.
Before yesterday I thought we'd need six wins and a draw from the last eight to go up. We got the draw out of the way. Now we just have to win six of the last seven.
JoeDenver wrote: ↑Mon Apr 01, 2024 4:26 am
Only because those subs were too late, which is Farke’s MO, unfortunately. Imagine if those 80 minute subs had another 5-10-15 minutes of game time to further get their footing…
Beggars can’t be choosers and I’m ecstatic that the changes were made and a tough point was salvaged. But it’s hard not to imagine what could’ve been had those subs been made sooner…
That’s an endless argument Joe.
Why didn’t he make subs on 13 minutes. Or 28 minutes. Or half time.
Fact is he made a radical change on 63 and brought the goalscorer on in the 80th. Plus Anthony nearly won it.
All the grandstand managers are in the stands for a reason.
I declare my love for Saint Daniel and I can shoehorn him in to any conversation.
Jaydog wrote: ↑Mon Apr 01, 2024 9:56 am
That’s an endless argument Joe.
Why didn’t he make subs on 13 minutes. Or 28 minutes. Or half time.
Fact is he made a radical change on 63 and brought the goalscorer on in the 80th. Plus Anthony nearly won it. All the grandstand managers are in the stands for a reason.
Jaydog wrote: ↑Mon Apr 01, 2024 9:56 am
That’s an endless argument Joe.
Why didn’t he make subs on 13 minutes. Or 28 minutes. Or half time.
Fact is he made a radical change on 63 and brought the goalscorer on in the 80th. Plus Anthony nearly won it. All the grandstand managers are in the stands for a reason.
In America they have the Rooney rule which in simple terms means that all NFL teams must interview at least one minority candidate for head coaching openings.
In the UK we should adopt this and have the Wayne Rooney rule where they have to interview at least one person totally unsuited to be a manager. This would give all of us grandstand managers the chance to apply. Am sure they do have this though but unfortunately Rooney and Lampard keep taking the opportunity before anyone else can grab it.
Cjay wrote: ↑Sat May 17, 2025 4:23 pm
I've pretended to support a team that's been crap for most of my life as part of a long term plan
Victor_Notts-17 wrote: ↑Mon Jun 01, 2026 7:03 pm
Did you post them because there's something wrong with your brain
weasel wrote: ↑Mon Apr 01, 2024 10:41 am
In America they have the Rooney rule which in simple terms means that all NFL teams must interview at least one minority candidate for head coaching openings.
In the UK we should adopt this and have the Wayne Rooney rule where they have to interview at least one person totally unsuited to be a manager. This would give all of us grandstand managers the chance to apply. Am sure they do have this though but unfortunately Rooney and Lampard keep taking the opportunity before anyone else can grab it.
Sounds good..
There is also the grab a granny rule but you’ve got zero chance of getting your hands on one with Wazza around.
I declare my love for Saint Daniel and I can shoehorn him in to any conversation.
...That Ayling goal and "You couldn't script it 
" - Dirty Leeds B@stard.
