Yesterday's performance.

[holmleighchris]

It's only my opinion, but I don't think that we can continue to go into games with three defensive mid-fielders. For all but the last 15-20 minutes we were very poor. We showed little inclination to push forward and to my mind were completely outplayed by Brighton. As soon as Morrison, Burke and Gibbs came on we looked far more threatening. If Nyom is in the side he must play right back, where he is far more effective, with Gibbs at left back. Sadly, Rondon is a shadow of the player he was when he first arrived and has to make way. I would also find a place for Brunt in the side as we missed his delivery. Hopefully, it was just a 'bad day at the office' as even Foster and Evans were below par.

Pretty much spot on. Maybe TP felt it was too soon for Gibbs, well then play Brunt there as in previous matches, not Nyom who is decent enough at right back but can be catastrophic at left back. The lad gives his all but you can see why Watford didn't use him regularly.
We hat let in one goal in 3 league games. Evans should not have been given a recall, captain or not.
Phillips is better on the right, putting him on the left nullified him yesterday. Brunt, McClean, Morrison would all do better.
Rodriguez is a striker. If we want to play him as a midfielder then it has to be as an attacking central midfielder not a winger. Wasted out there and we have better for the job (Phillips, Burke).
Rondon hasn't been much cop but no striker could have coped yesterday with no decent crosses arriving, no support from central midfield when the ball has been hoofed to him, no chance.
Look how better it got when the substitutions were made and the team became balanced.
All the problems yesterday were down to TP's tactics and team selection, nothing else. Will he learn from it?
Let me add, we got away with it in the first 3 games. Undoubtedly defended well, but hardly created anything. In all 4 games I feel if we had gone for it more, played in the opposing half, then we would quite possibly have 12 points now.
However, as I'm sure Al will point out, I don't go to the games so I know nothing.
One more thing, I don't expect us to play like Barcelona. I expect us to go out and try to win games, create chances and score goals. Rather like Brighton did yesterday, though I doubt opposition will allow us run the game like we let them do so.

[baggieal]

Pretty much spot on. Maybe TP felt it was too soon for Gibbs, well then play Brunt there as in previous matches, not Nyom who is decent enough at right back but can be catastrophic at left back. The lad gives his all but you can see why Watford didn't use him regularly.
We hat let in one goal in 3 league games. Evans should not have been given a recall, captain or not.
Phillips is better on the right, putting him on the left nullified him yesterday. Brunt, McClean, Morrison would all do better.
Rodriguez is a striker. If we want to play him as a midfielder then it has to be as an attacking central midfielder not a winger. Wasted out there and we have better for the job (Phillips, Burke).
Rondon hasn't been much cop but no striker could have coped yesterday with no decent crosses arriving, no support from central midfield when the ball has been hoofed to him, no chance.
Look how better it got when the substitutions were made and the team became balanced.
All the problems yesterday were down to TP's tactics and team selection, nothing else. Will he learn from it?
Let me add, we got away with it in the first 3 games. Undoubtedly defended well, but hardly created anything. In all 4 games I feel if we had gone for it more, played in the opposing half, then we would quite possibly have 12 points now.
However, as I'm sure Al will point out, I don't go to the games so I know nothing.
One more thing, I don't expect us to play like Barcelona. I expect us to go out and try to win games, create chances and score goals. Rather like Brighton did yesterday, though I doubt opposition will allow us run the game like we let them do so.

Never said you know nothing as quite the opposite - your posts are very constructive and points very valid, even though at times you are harsh on TP. As for never going to the games - well from time to time, I have a spare ticket so do you want me to offer one to you when I have one? It would only cost you a pint!

[holmleighchris]

Never said you know nothing as quite the opposite - your posts are very constructive and points very valid, even though at times you are harsh on TP. As for never going to the games - well from time to time, I have a spare ticket so do you want me to offer one to you when I have one? It would only cost you a pint!

I'll tell you what Al, I'll take you up on that. It will have to be a Saturday afternoon game though.

[baggieal]

I'll tell you what Al, I'll take you up on that. It will have to be a Saturday afternoon game though.

Will make a mental note!

[BRE259]

I was there yesterday too, and as well as the baffling lineup and players out of position and largely negative tactics as already discussed, I do think a large contributory factor was a great many players having an off day collectively, and sorry I thought Rondon didn't look interested. Wouldn't be surprised if he ain't involved at all next week with Robson-Kanu back? I am just hoping this is an off-day and TP with the options available picks a more balanced team next week, with Brunt or Gibbs at left-back and not three defensive midfielders. I am neither a TP hater or fan, but I think next week is an already must win as we ain't played anybody of note yet so is 7 points from the first 5 games going to be a good return?