Watford Post Match Thoughts

[WanChaiMiller]

Warne made some big changes half time. Credit to him. It changed the performance but not the outcome.

So, 4 games with the new system. We've gone from abject second half against Brentford, the Cov game and first half at Watford to a marked improvement second half Watford. If we can take that improvement forward into the next game it can be seen as progress playing the new way.

Our strength has been to play a high press, high pressure game. Opposition have described it as 'in your face'.

Pressing is a zonal marking and front marking system. You dominate the space. From our traditional 451 base. The forwards channel the ball to a full back (say their left back).* Our right full back and right center half sqeeze up into midfield. It frees the 2 central midfielders to play high up the pitch and allows our wide right midfielder press their left full back. At the same time our left back covers with the left sided centre half - effectively playing 2 at the back.

The idea is you want to get their full backs head down and play it long. We challenge for the ball when it goes forward. High risk strategy because if they spring it youre vulnerable at the back. But upside is you can win good ball high up the pitch.

Our problem first half was that we played man for man across midfield. Our back 3 marked their one forward. It ended up with a formation where we had 6 or 7 defenders strung across the 18 yard line. Our free player were 2 of the back 3 pinned on the 18 yard line. We couldnt get anyone up the pitch put pressure on the ball. Their full backs had space and the run of the game.

Second half we went back to zonal across midfield and played the back 3 differently. When they had the ball we moved one of the back 3 out wide and up into midfield, effectively playing 2 at the back. It meant our wide midfield could play much higher up the pitch and press their full back. The 2 free players were the central midfielders* playing much higher up the pitch.

It changed the balance of play. We won decent ball and created chances.

Small mercies I know. It didnt change the result. But the performance improved. I hope we take it forward.

[millertop]

Protecting his players Grist.
Suppose it's better than snagging them off publicly then they'd certainly not put the effort in for a manager that doesn't back them.

Saying some players were outstanding when they were nowhere near is not protecting his players .it makes them out to be pretty bad if that were their outstanding performance, makes him sound deluded and pisses fans off imo

[flourbasher]

Someone else has said it's damned if you do and damned if you don't
He might be saying something different behind closed doors though.

I must admit he would have been better saying some general things about our current situation rather than suggesting he's happy with how we played

Edit: I didn't hear the outstanding comment. Yes that's just silly

[millertop]

Someone else has said it's damned if you do and damned if you don't
He might be saying something different behind closed doors though.

I must admit he would have been better saying some general things about our current situation rather than suggesting he's happy with how we played

Edit: I didn't hear the outstanding comment. Yes that's just silly

Crooksy (Matt Crooks) was outstanding, as were Wilsey (Ben Wiles) and Vass (Kyle Vassell).

I wouldn’t expect him to say they were **** but maybe did well or were good would be wiser words than outstanding �� seriously come on Warney I’m losing the will here.

Another thing; I wouldn’t expect Warney to slag his players off but he needs the fans on his side so maybe choose his words wisely and talk to players in dressing room about keeping fans onside.

[WanChaiMiller]

Roly - a wise old sports guy told me this once. 'As a manager or coach you only have 2 maybe 3 rants at players a season in your locker. Any more than that they switch off. If you are so bad as a coach you're shouting at them every week, its you that has the problem'.

[millertop]

I hope someone recorded sky news on our game for Warney

[gru]

Watched game on the red button. I said start of the 2nd H is A McDonald playing cause he can't have done much wrong. He was & one of our better players on the night. Got to get back to 4-5-1. Harding he's better playing right back. Wiles play at left back. Don't play Flo, Miller or Clarke not strong enough.

[WanChaiMiller]

Warne is right in what he is saying. My guess is that spirits are low. Last thing the players will need is the manager sticking the knife in.

At times like this you look for every positive you can find to build players back up. No matter how small.

Leave the whinging for the message boards.

[clarkey1974]

His post match sounded like Yorkshire pudding redfearn”s and Alan stubborns penultimate ones...

[Edinburghmiller]

Yes, I was amazed at his comments. He seemed to be gabbling on v quickly and I wonder did he realise what he was saying! Crookes and Vass outstanding. No no no thought they would have been replaced. I am a Warney supporter but he didn’t seem to be himself last night. The defeats, injuries etc are obv getting to him.