Watford 3-2 Aston Villa 15/16 tribute act post match thread.

[Smithy]

Morning after the night before, and still can't believe we only had two shots on target against them - and one of those was a penalty.

Yes, there was an element of fortune for at least one of their goals, but for all our defensive issues against Sarr (who will do this to many other left-backs this season), the most disappointing element for me was the lack of threat at the other end.  With 60%+ of the possession, we should have been creating much more than we did.  I'm still hopeful for what we can do going forward when Watkins and Bailey are both fit and firing, but this was not the exciting start I was hoping for from our other attacking debutants.

We need a win and convincing performance against Newcastle, if for nothing else than to stop people going on about the effect of losing Joe.

[LukeJames]

The majority of that 60% possession was Mings playing it square to Konsa.

[Allan C]

One look at the bench tells you we are still way off it.

Three academy players, Wesley, Hause and Steer was the bulk of it.  The academy players have promise but we need players premier league ready now if we have any designs on breaking the door down of the top 6/7.  Wesley, Hause and Steer don’t get anywhere near the sides that finished in last years top 10.

Like others are saying, Nakamba is piss poor and always has been and if we can all see the fact we need a proper ball winning centre midfield player why can’t our recruitment team?  Big few weeks for Deano

This 100%  yes we’ve had squad improvement and that’s great but we’ve someway to go yet.

[kippaxvilla2]

If you spend three days of pre season looking like you’re having a kick around in a public park don’t be surprised if you turn up for the first game looking like you’re a parks team winning a competition to play a PL team.

[VinnieChase84]

Re: Targett - putting yesterday down to him simply being not fit. Last weekend was his first game of pre season (injury)
Hindsight but we should have started Young at left back

[robbo1874]

One look at the bench tells you we are still way off it.

Three academy players, Wesley, Hause and Steer was the bulk of it.  The academy players have promise but we need players premier league ready now if we have any designs on breaking the door down of the top 6/7.  Wesley, Hause and Steer don’t get anywhere near the sides that finished in last years top 10.

Like others are saying, Nakamba is piss poor and always has been and if we can all see the fact we need a proper ball winning centre midfield player why can’t our recruitment team?  Big few weeks for Deano

the thing that’s got me scratching my head a bit is that Nakamba’s stats for his breakup play were very good last season. But when you watch him play live, he mostly seems ineffective.

[Risso]

How long have we needed a defensive midfield player and we start ainother season without one.
We have bought 4 players this window and still so sign of one.
Inexplicable

It's taken them two years to realise we needed another striker!

[sickbeggar]

They are. He can do the tackling and break-up play stuff. It's the passing to a teammate/not losing it again straightaway he sucks at.

[The_ads]

Nakamba couldn’t pass wind. He wouldn’t get into 75% of teams in the Premier league. 

[frank black]

Nakamba couldn’t pass wind. He wouldn’t get into 75% of teams in the Premier league. 

I thought he may have removed the dangerous square pass across the pitch from his repertoire, alas not. Shame as he definitely can do parts of the DM role reasonably well.

[CT]

Re: Targett - putting yesterday down to him simply being not fit. Last weekend was his first game of pre season (injury)
Hindsight but we should have started Young at left back

Someone actually coming back and helping him out would have been quite nice too.

[Percy McCarthy]

Just put myself through watching the full rerun on Sky having not seen it yesterday.



I thought Bailey looked quite bright when we were in possession but tellingly his best moment came when he came over to the right. He'll want to play there I'd imagine.

His best moment wasn’t the assist then? I haven’t seen anything bar the highlights.

[martyn ellis]

While I agree with most of the negative comments on here, the fact is that teams can have bad days and come away with at least a draw in games like that. The first goal involved a decent block by Konsa which could have gone anywhere but unfortunately went straight back to their player; the second - well - and the third was class. We were much better in the second half and then got dealt the sucker punch with their third, but McGinn's goal was the best of the match. Factor in Buendia unfit, Bailey only just arrived, Watkins greatly missed and Targett given the runaround, I think we will get much better quickly. Before anyone accuses me of clutching at straws, I don't think I am. We were awful in the first 45, got better but by then the match had got away from us.

[placeforparks]

ironically the 15/16 team won their first game away at promoted bournemouth!

at least yesterday is a wake up call for everyone. 

2 massive games coming up at a full villa park now.

[brontebilly]

Targett had a mare. I hope he’s not a player that prefers behind closed doors games. He did make a somewhat miraculous improvement last season compared to when we had crowds. I’m sure he’ll be fine, it’s just a thought.

The guy playing ahead of him last season usually kept one or two opposition players tied up. Going to take a bit of readjustment for Targett. I'm a bit more worried to read that Cash was poor again yesterday. He was very poor last season when he came back in after injury. If he keeps this up, I'd like to Guilbert given a chance.