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posted on 18/4/2012 at 05:59
Watford
That was a classic game of two halves. I was very wary of them before the game, having visited Vicarage Road earlier in the season. They closed us
down very well, were physical, won everything in the air and didn't allow us to play. Dyche was nominated for Manager of the Month recently due to
their decent results.
The first half started in exactly the way I dreaded. The free kick that they were awarded wasn't a free kick as their player slipped but Gonzalez
gifted them a goal by setting up his wall on the left and standing on the left himself! A penalty followed and at half time I was expecting a bucket
load of goals to follow. Eustace should have walked for the hand off to Barnes' face but this ref has shown in the past that he gives us nothing.
Painter went off, Vincelot on which strengthened us down the left and we did start fighting back. Calderon was giving us a skippers performance and
when his right footed shot was blocked by the keeper he volleyed it straight back with his left. At least we looked like going down fighting. Vicente
came on and we started to look like a team who wanted to win.
I had remarked to my mates that whenever we face a team with ex Albion players, they always seem to score against us. I also said we had two ex
Watford players on the pitch (Buckley and Bridcutt) so why couldn't one of those manage to do the same thing. Within 5 minutes a sublime pass from
Vicente found Buckley and my wish came true. He didn't celebrate it.
A draw was the right result in the end.
“I do want to play the short ball and I do want to play the long ball. I think long and short balls is what football is about.” Sir Bobby Robson
MonkeyTennis
THE EAST STAND TERRACING
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Mood: Patient
posted on 18/4/2012 at 11:34
I was quite impressed with Watford - they looked well organised and in Murray they have a quality young player. Kuszczak made some good saves at the
end to prevent us taking all 3 points, and he would be a decent option for us in the summer when he is out of contract. Gonzalez had a rough start but
got better as the game went on - I think we can do a lot better though. Painter looked short of fitness and we looked much better on the left once
Vincelot came on. The mood in the crowd was quite tense (I missed the W Ham game as I was doing the Marathon) but I was surprised how quickly they
turned on the team once we went 2 down. We weren't at our best but once Vicente came on we were a much better attacking unit and I expected us to get
something out of the game. Gus was obviously upset with the reaction after the game and I can see both sides of the argument. Certain fans need to get
a reality check and realise how well we have done with essentially the same squad as last season. Gus needs to be more settled in his selection and
system, anbd hopefully get the players in during the summer so that he can be more sure of his best 11.
London Irish
FALMER STADIUM
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Mood: Getting nervous
posted on 18/4/2012 at 13:43
I couldn't make this game but was surprised to read about the booing at half time. I really hope that people have got that out of their system and we
have a party atmosphere for Birmingham because it would only be fitting for our best and most promising season in more than 20 years.
Gus I feel just needs to sharpen his PR a bit. Football fans are demanding creatures these days in particular and I'll own up to be one of them,
although I hate negativity on match day. It would be nice to hear more of an explanation of our selection/tactics, not obviously before the match but
at least in the press post-match and particularly in the match programmes and the free bits of the Seagulls website.
Wardywonderland
FALMER STADIUM
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posted on 18/4/2012 at 16:58
The booing around me seemed to be for the referee who didn't send Eustace off when he pushed Barnes in the face (yellow) and gave Watford a free kick
when their player just slipped. That free kick led to the first goal so there were a fair few who thought we were going to lose due to inept officials
again. I didn't think it applied to the team but it seems Gus took it that way.
“I do want to play the short ball and I do want to play the long ball. I think long and short balls is what football is about.” Sir Bobby Robson
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posted on 18/4/2012 at 05:59
