moorethanjustananon 12:30 Sun Aug 25
Re: ⚽ Watford v West Ham- Official Match Thread FT 1-3

Balbuena is clearly off the pace having played in summer and come back to preseason late (I bloody hope it’s this and last season wasn’t a one off!)

Hopefully he can return to his best over the next couple of weeks, he and Diop looked a formidable partnership for large parts of last season.

There is points to be had from the next 5 fixtures, Bournemouth away looks the toughest personally. Hopefully the work rate and application continues to go up week on week, if it does we have the quality to win a lot of those fixtures.

Westham67 12:29 Sun Aug 25
Re: ⚽ Watford v West Ham- Official Match Thread FT 1-3

Early season so a full game for Antonio he would blowing out of his arse his muscular build means he will burn more oxygen than a slimmer version

Sajmo1 12:25 Sun Aug 25
Re: ⚽ Watford v West Ham- Official Match Thread FT 1-3

I think that we are capable of playing good defence. We just need one injury free season because if you think about it, we've never played more then like 3 games in a row with the same starting 11. I can definitely see us getting some clean sheets really soon. Obviously we would improve immediately with new quality fullbacks but, unfortunately, I don't see us spending big in jan. Next summer sanchez, zaba and chicha are out of contract (280k a week saved) while ogbonna/reid and cresswell might leave so hopefully our owners will provide us enough money to bring in new fullbacks, a cm and a cb. With new fullbacks, cm and some depth we could become a force.

fraser 12:21 Sun Aug 25
Re: ⚽ Watford v West Ham- Official Match Thread FT 1-3

Never going to happen, disallow their goal and give us a penalty, this is only ever possible against us, not for.

Sven Roeder 12:05 Sun Aug 25
Re: ⚽ Watford v West Ham- Official Match Thread FT 1-3

Agree that only two of Lanzini Anderson Yarmolenko & Fornals can be on the pitch at any time.

For the Watford goal ... it started with us attacking and I don’t think we touched the ball from the byeline at the other end all the way up the pitch.
Was it a cross from Anderson that was blocked?
I know it was a long way back but it looked like it was accidentally blocked with a hand.
Given we didn’t touch the ball again that’s part of the build up of goal isn’t it?
VAR?

CanningTownWA 12:05 Sun Aug 25
Re: ⚽ Watford v West Ham- Official Match Thread FT 1-3

I would keep Anderson and Lanzini in the starting lineup but replace Yarmolenko with Fornals. He has the legs to get back and I think some game time will see what he can do

dealcanvey 11:50 Sun Aug 25
Re: ⚽ Watford v West Ham- Official Match Thread FT 1-3

For Watford’s goal. You see Noble screaming at his wingers to get back. Watford score from it. He goes ballistic again.

I would have Antonio starting over both Anderson and Yarmalenko for his defensive work alone. He actually gets back to help the team. Anderson, Yarmolenko and Lanzini on at the same time is too much luxury imo. That and Antonio is looking more of a threat going forward aswell so far this season.

if it was tactical then it was clever but we run the risk of being 2/3 goals down before he even came on yesterday.

fraser 11:48 Sun Aug 25
Re: ⚽ Watford v West Ham- Official Match Thread FT 1-3

SS yep prefer this to that all day long, but a bit of extra tracking back would still be nice

Spandex Sidney 11:34 Sun Aug 25
Re: ⚽ Watford v West Ham- Official Match Thread FT 1-3

I agree about Antonio. It's a good tactic to have to bring him on when the opposition is tiring.

As for the 'we are shit defensively', which we are, I have this very weekend watched pretty much every team in the league be shit defensively including Man Utd and Liverpool at home so I don't think we are alone there.

Isn't this the type of football we all wanted? Fancy Sam 'respect the point' Allardyce back? Nope, me neither.

Slim Shady 11:23 Sun Aug 25
Re: ⚽ Watford v West Ham- Official Match Thread FT 1-3

I agree, if Antonio hasn’t got 90 minutes in him he’s great to bring on when tired. I think maybe Snodgrass instead of Yarmalenko would give you a bit more cover tho.

, 11:18 Sun Aug 25
Re: ⚽ Watford v West Ham- Official Match Thread FT 1-3

It really is a fourteen man game nowadays at the top level and it seems, in the case of Antonio, that his very effectiveness in the second half of games precludes him from, in the manager’s mind, being a starter.

His performance showed the above to good effect where he helped majorly unsettle the Watford defence.

Keep dreaming 11:03 Sun Aug 25
Re: ⚽ Watford v West Ham- Official Match Thread FT 1-3

I think it was a brilliant move to start with Yarmo ahead of Antonio.
Yarmo is slower and not so physical, but are better technically and need minutes.
When Antonio came on, Watford was already tired and pressed us high. So it gave him room to exploit, and that is his strength.

Superb sub

dealcanvey 10:56 Sun Aug 25
Re: ⚽ Watford v West Ham- Official Match Thread FT 1-3

Wolves also use it to great effect. Not sure it is the way forward for us though.

Also, how underrated is Antonio? So effective when he comes on and we look so much better when he does. Not sure why he is not starting. Would have him in front of Yarmolenko.

Takashi Miike 10:52 Sun Aug 25
Re: ⚽ Watford v West Ham- Official Match Thread FT 1-3

three at the back is a great idea if you're playing two up top but pointless with the lone striker, we play

Sajmo1 10:49 Sun Aug 25
Re: ⚽ Watford v West Ham- Official Match Thread FT 1-3

They finished 17th last season.

terry-h 10:47 Sun Aug 25
Re: ⚽ Watford v West Ham- Official Match Thread FT 1-3

Brighton played a back three last week Sajmo.

Sajmo1 10:47 Sun Aug 25
Re: ⚽ Watford v West Ham- Official Match Thread FT 1-3

Except wolves and conte*

Sajmo1 10:46 Sun Aug 25
Re: ⚽ Watford v West Ham- Official Match Thread FT 1-3

I haven't seen someone play 3 at the back for a while now. I wonder why..

terry-h 10:45 Sun Aug 25
Re: ⚽ Watford v West Ham- Official Match Thread FT 1-3

We should at least try a back three with attacking wingbacks to see if that improves the defending but we know Pelle won't do it.
Most managers experiment but he seems to think a back four is sacrosanct.

Nick QQQ 9:52 Sun Aug 25
Re: ⚽ Watford v West Ham- Official Match Thread FT 1-3

I think the 3 points will help despite the score line flattering us. Takes a bit of pressure off. Agree with most of the comments though. We can’t afford to play lanzini, Yarmalenko and Anderson in the same side. Our full backs are pretty shit anyway let alone with no cover

Willtell 9:41 Sun Aug 25
Re: ⚽ Watford v West Ham- Official Match Thread FT 1-3

I missed the game yesterday - at a wedding - but watched Sky highlights 3 times. You can't really get to know how the game went from highlights.

I was very pleased at result and impressed with Haller but blimey! Our defence is useless...

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