The League Table Is A Thing Of Beauty This Morning - Notes for Watford Friday, 20th Mar 2015 11:15 by HarryFromBath HarryfromBath assesses the mood in the opposition camp ahead of Saturday’s game at Vicarage Road by delving into their forums. “Morning all - breathe deeply. The air is quite thin up here”, “Don’t look down now. Keep those eyes looking up because that is where we are going”, “Having been chasing for long periods, we are now in a position where we can control whether or not we win the league.” “In just six matches we have climbed from fifth to first.” Watford’s 2-0 at Wigan on Tuesday was their fifth in a six-match unbeaten run and it propelled them to the top of the table. “As the table stands this morning, we don’t have to play anybody above us in our run-in.” “My hands are shaking and I feel sick with excitement. I always believed we would chase down the teams in the top six”, “Everything feels like a promotion campaign taking shape. If you believe in fate and destiny, there have been so many turning points over the last few weeks.” “This is our year”, “I believe we can and will do it.” Many Hornets believe that they have timed their run to perfection. “Everything feels like a promotion campaign taking shape. If you believe in fate and destiny, there have been so many turning points over the last few weeks.” Slavisa Jokanovic“Our best signing of the season is Slava”, “Credit to Slava and the players. They have faced adversity this year and come out of it all stronger. It finally feels as if the whole club is pulling in the same direction.”  The Watford manager and former Chelsea player is consistently lauded for his tactical ability when both setting up and making adjustments to his teams. He is equally praised for having forged a “steely determination and togetherness” in a squad after a volatile start to the season off the pitch. “Slava doesn’t do complacent”, “He has a happy knack of fixing problems with his substitutions, the sign of a clever manager”, “He might be the most tactically flexible manager we have ever had”, “He has completely and utterly changed the mentality of this side and deserves every credit.” Formation“I love the way Jokanovic gets the best out of his squad. Every game he slightly alters the formation with two or three changes that work far more often than not. The other team don’t know what to expect”, “I am in awe when I see some of the things these guys can do.” Watford have used two main formations in their recent good run. They have played regularly with a 4-3-1-2 shape but switched to 3-5-2 in their recent win over Fulham. GomesCathcartEkstrandPudilToszerGuediouraWatsonMottaAbdiDeeney (c)Vydra
The team (above) which beat a below strength Reading last Saturday had three changes in the back four from that which previously drew at Wolves. Adlene Guedioura and Ben Watson protected the back four in both games, with Daniel Tozser linking with the playmaker Almen Abdi and both full-backs providing the width. GomesCathcartAngellaPudilHobanGuediouraWatsonMottaAbdiDeeney (c)Vydra
The shape was different, but the team which beat Fulham had the same holding midfielders, full/wing-backs and strikers, with Tozser removed to accommodate an extra centre-back. Flexibility is critically important with players covering adjacent roles during the course of games Wigan 0 - 2 Watford“This is a team built for a battling evening.” The starting XI (below) for Wednesday’s win at the DW Stadium showed their manager’s flexible thinking. He switched formation to 4-4-2, with both full-backs and wide midfielders selected for their strength and work-rate on what was a heavy pitch. GomesCathcartAngellaEkstrandHobanGuediouraWatsonMottaMunariDeeney (c)Vydra
“I’m wearing the terrified face of a dog on fireworks night”, “I have a niggling bad feeling about this”, “Me too. I feel this could be bad”, “Wigan are a poor side on a recent good run. We’re a sucker for this sort of team.” Hornets were widely apprehensive before this game. “We need some width. It was a poor first half”, “It’s a woeful game.” The Hornets prevailed through a Troy Deeney brace which included a late penalty in what was an unattractive spectacle. Watford’s solidity was gained at the expense of width as they ground out a win. “That was tough. Make no mistake about it. It had all the ingredients for a nasty setback but we have powered through it”, “It was a very good professional performance, maybe the performance of a side destined for promotion”, “Every team we put out looks strong at the moment.” Watford 4 - 1 Reading“This should be a fairly convincing win. Reading’s minds should be elsewhere and even if they are not they are still pretty average”, “We cannot be complacent.” The Hornets won comfortably last Saturday against a Royals team which made wholesale changes ahead of their FA Cup quarter-final. “A job done in a match we fully expected to win”, “Reading got on top for a brief spell, scored a very good goal and we were a bit disorganised to be honest”, “You can only beat what’s in front of you and we dispatched them quite professionally”, “That was a poor side we faced today.” Wolves 2 - 2 Watford“We showed great character today”, “That was a thoroughly good draw considering we were twice behind against decent opponents”, “We finally seem to be putting an unbeaten run together rather than two steps forward and one step back.” The game was marred by controversy when Wolves’ Bakary Sako was dismissed after Fernando Forestieri went down clutching his face with no contact having been made, but most Hornets were more unhappy the lack of urgency which allowed their opponents too much time and space. “I was frustrated at our slow tippy-tappy build-up and it was telling how a couple of quick through balls set up both of our goals”, “There was a lack of movement from our front two and a lack of support when the ball was moved out wide.” Central Defence“Our defending is as bad as the statistics state and the reason why we cannot beat teams in the top six”, “Wolves first goal was easy - one ball over the middle.” Despite only conceding five goals in their last six games, Hornets have concerns about their defending. Heurelho Gomes“All the best goalkeepers are a bit nuts. Gomes is no different. That’s why some think he’s rubbish but he’s a quality keeper and consistently top drawer”, “He has made save after save this season. I wouldn’t like to calculate the points we owe him”, “The best keeper we have had in a long time.”  The 34-year-old Brazilian former PSV and Spurs goalkeeper “has kept us in with a shout of three points in game after game. Some of his world class saves are exactly that”, “I love how he comes out and often claims balls strongly, something Almunia never did.” “Gomes rarely makes small run-of-the-mill goalkeeping errors and is rarely out of position to stop a shot. Occasionally he decides to go on a wild run to the extremities if his box to inexplicably tackle a defender”, “Gomes is the player I would be most nervous of getting injured in the run-in.” “Joel Ekstrand is probably our poorest defender and is incredibly soft and contact-shy for a centre-back.” The 26-year-old Sweden international “is a lily-livered coward”, “He never makes defending look simple or easy”, “I have never seen a defender go in from the side as much as Ekstrand.” Many Blues will remember his challenge at Portman Road which ended Jonny Williams’s loan spell. “Ekstrand doesn’t attack the ball like other defenders. He waits for it to bounce and is often muscled off it by a big striker, forcing him into a last-ditch tackle which gets him booked or worse.” “Craig Cathcart shows great composure on the ball. He doesn’t get flustered or panic. He wins headers and offers a threat at set-pieces. He throws his body in to block shots, doesn’t moan or go down injured”, “There’s quite a lot to like about him”, “An excellent no-nonsense defender.” The 26-year-old ex-Blackpool centre-back and Northern Ireland international “is the British defender we need, no nonsense, knowing when to play the ball and when to put in a challenge”, “Cathcart uses his strength to attack the ball”, “He reads the game so well and is an excellent player for us.” “Introducing Gabriele Angella for Matej Vydra remedied the iffy 10-minute spell against Reading midway through the second half”, “He was as composed as ever when he came on”, “As soon as Angella came on we restored our authority, as he gave us an extra body at the back to keep the ball easier.” The 25-year-old ex-Empoli centre-half “is physically very impressive but his positioning can be poor at times”, “For Angella’s size, he doesn’t win enough in the air and can get bullied physically”, “His weaknesses are ball-watching and concentration lapses, and he loses his man more than I like.” “Matthew Connolly is a solid defender with a good promotion track record.” The club confirmed yesterday that the 27-year-old has joined on loan from Cardiff until the end of the season. Little is known about him, but fans are encouraged by Bluebirds’ comparisons with him and Ben Watson. Tommie Hoban“We need a dominant nasty centre-back and more cover at wing-back - do we hell? We have both. We have Tommie Hoban”, “It is great to see him consistently putting in quality performances even out of position. Attitude, pace, strength and positional awareness - he is the future of our defence.”  Wolves targeted the 21-year-old youth product who can either play at left-back or on the left of a back three. “He was shocking at left-back, backing off all the time. He was too slow and got done nearly every time Wolves attacked”, “No-one seemed to be dropping off to the left to back him up.” Central Midfield“We certainly tailed off against Reading when Adlene Guedioura went off.” The 29-year-old Algeria international and loan signing from Crystal Palace “is pretty much the last player we can afford to be without right now. We need his bite”, “It was a great cross for Deeney’s finish at Wigan.” “It was the right thing to do to take Guedioura off against Reading as a precaution. Losing him showed how thin we are in the middle of the park and keeping him fit will be key”, “He puts his body on the line”, “He is at his strongest putting himself about and linking the attack from midfield.” “Daniel Tozser reads the game well, sets high standards and doesn’t take kindly to people making mistakes.” The 29-year-old Hungary international “is a class act. The way he plays gives an air of confidence in the middle of the park and makes the rest of the team relax.” “Tozser was allowed to control play by Reading and he did.” The Parma loan signing “is not a strong tackles, but will sit in front of the defence, collect and spread the ball around all day long with his brilliant left foot”, “He is always organising us when we lose the ball or face up for a set-piece.” “Gianni Munari is a top box-to-box midfielder. He is strong, has great technique and bags of energy.” The 31-year-old is also on loan from Parma. “He doesn’t seem as good as he was in the first half of the season”, “He puts himself about well enough but doesn’t do enough offensively.” “Munari concedes possession time and again when under pressure. He has looked all over the place in recent games”, “He has been since teams figured him out. He really struggles when pressed and other teams have worked that out.” Ben Watson“It no coincidence that people are criticising out full-backs less now that Ben Watson is playing more.” The 29-year-old arrived from Wigan in the January transfer window. “He is the busy no-nonsense player we have missed. He’s not perfect and sometimes has a heavy first touch.”  Many Hornets believe that the balance he has brought has been the key ingredient in their current run. “Ben has shown enough leg work to indicate he’s one of those under-rated players that puts in a lot during games. He is the good solid character we desperately need in this difficult run-in.” “Our form has been brilliant since he came into the side”, “If you watch Watson in one match you will see what he offers the team is above and beyond what any other midfielder offers defensively”, “Winning the ball and passing to Abdi is all he really needs to do, so his passing isn’t so crucial.” Almen Abdi“If Abdi is fit, he must play.” Hornets have been greatly concerned by the fitness of the Switzerland international who has been substituted early in his last two recent appearances. “Abdi’s list of injuries is probably the best list of injuries in the world.”  “We really did miss Abdi as soon as he went off against Wolves. We missed his ability to link with the attack and were constantly hoofing to Deeney.” The 28-year-old ex-FC Zurich player is known as ‘the Professor’ and is praised for his outstanding link-up play. “He is capable of altering space and time.” The Left Flank“Daniel Pudil had one of his best games in a Watford shirt against Reading. He was strong in the tackle, won the ball a fair amount and showed plenty of energy. He even got a block in to prevent a cross”, “He has not been great this season, hence his being dropped, but credit where it is due.” “What Pudil lacks in pace he makes up for with excellent long balls which create space.” The 29-year-old Czech Republic international makes Hornets nervous when isolated. “It is like having a great big wall to keep enemies out but with a big hole saying ‘enter here’ lit in neon on the far left.” “There may be better defensive options but Ikechi Anya simply is the best attacking left winger or wing-back on our books.” The 27-year-old Scotland international “still makes basic errors, running the ball out of play, cutting inside every time, making the wrong pass or dwelling on the ball.” “Most people’s frustration with Ikechi Anya is that having stormed down the wing with the ball and facing a defender, he can never seem to skin or outrun them. It seems he hasn’t got the confidence to beat a player one-on-one when stationary”, “He’s not a poor player but he is frustrating.” “Miguel Layun did nothing when he came on against Reading and was totally anonymous. There’s a good player in there, but didn’t show much today”, “Some of our best players started by blowing hot and cold. He’s adapting to a new country, a new league and a new team. Give him time.” The 26-year-old arrived from club side America in January. “Layun has yet to play the left wing-back role that has made him a hero in Mexico, coming in at a time when we are playing four at the back much more regularly. He may not be great performer for us but to write him off is ridiculous.” The Right Flank“Juan Carlos Paredes is the perfect wing-back tactically. He crosses and passes early and takes a few risks but he will also have a pop is defenders back off him.” The 27-year-old Ecuador international “is pacy, has quick feet, makes good decisions and can shoot. He can cross without beating his man.” “Paredes is not the strongest but won’t get pushed off the ball as easily as Anya”, “He’s very cute at winning fouls in defensive areas, drawing fouls which make it easy to relieve pressure”, “Time and again he has the ball in good positions but had no forward options or support against Wigan.” Marco MottaMost of our fans wished we have a machine which would wind Marco Cassetti’s age back 10 years. We now have it and it is called Motta”, “He is like Cassetti but less clumsy. He is up and down the pitch, always looking to whip a cross in”, “Some of his touches to release people are tremendous.”  The 28-year-old former Roma and Juventus man “just seems an eminently sensible footballer. Nothing too flashy, very tidy, few mistakes, lots of good passes and a couple of dangerous crosses. It’s nice to have someone who makes mostly correct decisions in stark contrast to Paredes.” Strikers“Long may the cavalier spirit of ‘we will score more than you’ persist in our game”, “Part of the reason we score so many regardless of the opposition is the quality of chances created. We generate such a good number of excellent opportunities.” Watford have scored 22 goals in their last eight games. “Even when we get it wrong at times, we have the talent to score goals”, “Going forward we can sometimes have one quick pass or clever flick too many, but it is wonderful to see when it comes off, as it does quite often.” “Nothing makes me happier than hearing that Fernando Forestieri played a blinder.” The 25-year-old ex-Genoa man “put in a brilliant performance against Reading [replacing Abdi after seven minutes]”, “He was phenomenal”, “At one stage he seemed like he was the only player on the pitch.” “The ball seemed attached to Forestieri with string”, “It was a great way to redeem himself after last week’s debacle.” Many Hornets were embarrassed by the part he played in Sako’s red card. “He’s a nightmare for defenders when determined to stay on his feet”, “He totally loves this football club.” “We have missed that extra striker option off the bench. We could have beaten Wolves had we been able to bring Odion Ighalo on.” The 25-year-old Nigerian has missed recent games with a hamstring injury. “Ighalo and Abdi will concentrate on getting back for the Ipswich game.” “Ighalo is lethal in and around the six-yard-box”, He has very quick feet”, “He is a real poacher in front of goal. But has a lot more to his game”, “His all-round game is strong. He holds it up, can lay it off and can run at defenders. He is a decent striker”, “Always in the right place at the right time.” Matej Vydra“When Vydra had that storming season with Deeney he was both a link-up player and goalscorer. Some of their interchanging was superb. He was dropped for Ighalo for a reason - he just wasn’t playing well enough. He has lost some of sharpness compared to a couple of seasons ago.”  The 22-year-old Czech Republic international “looked as if his confidence back at Wolves. The brilliant first touch and shot for his goal was sublime. I wish he could hold the ball up rather than always trying the first-time flick-pass when he gets it”, “A solid and exciting alternative to Ighalo. Troy Deeney“Troy is so powerful. He is just like a truck powering past helpless defenders at will. He is better now than at any stage of his career and is a fantastic asset to the club.” The 26-year-old captain and ex-Walsall striker “is just the Godfather right now”, “The perfect player and ambassador for the club.”  “It’s amazing to think just two months ago he wasn’t scoring and there were calls for him to be dropped”, “His goals aren’t always technically excellent but his strength often sees him through”, “More bulldozing from Troy”, “He has been making time and space for Ighalo and Vydra to score.” Hornets’ Views on ITFC and the Game“Ipswich's form has been all over the place recently”, “Hopefully we won't have the same sort of problems with their physical style as we had at Portman Road”, “We lost by one at Ipswich last time. Last time we couldn’t handle hoof-ball. This time we will.” A pre-match poll has 73% of Hornets forecasting a home win with 8% predicting an Ipswich victory. Confidence is understandably high. Hornets are split between predicting a nervous win and a rout. “We will win, there’s no doubt about it”, “I can see nothing other than a footballing masterclass as we warm up for life in the Premier League. 4-0 to the Horns”, “I can't wait for the ‘'Where's your inflatables'' chant at 3-0’”, “Everyone's too confident, we're going to get stuffed and look ridiculous.” “Ipswich have become a bit devoid of attacking ideas with a lot of hoofing it up to Murphy and hoping either him or Sears will get space from the knockdown”, “They are a very hard-working work-man-like side as you'd expect from McCarthy but a bit lacking in flair.” “Sears has been a great signing for them, and Mick has done an incredible job, considering how much money he has spent”, “I like Mick. You'll get no Malky or Clarke-style bull from him after the match even if we've stuffed them, which, of course, we will.” “I just watched their highlights from the other day and Bolton probably should have scored about five goals”, “Ipswich had more chances and better chances, watching that”, “It can't have been that great a game if those were the highlights.” “I'd be amazed if Ipswich didn't come for a point. They'll defend in numbers and try and score a set-piece.”, “Then again they probably need to win to keep up the play-off push which would suit us to the ground.” “They seem quite easy to get behind and Vydra is a very similar type of striker to Bamford who should have had a hat-trick against them”, “Ipswich do not seem clinical in front of goal, although they have the leading goalscorer. If Daryl Murphy can be shut out then I don't think we will be bitter.” Nic Cruwys“It seems incongruous to be writing about an upcoming fixture when one of our own is in hospital for having the audacity to follow his team to their away fixture at Wolverhampton Wanderers.” Many Blues will have read the news stories and will have been horrified by the assault on Watford fan Nic ‘Moo’ Cruwys after their recent game at Molineux. The club and supporters have been outstanding in rallying around him and his family after this distressing event. Message boards have been full of kind and supportive messages for this 44-year-old father of two, both from Hornets and many visiting Wolves supporters. There was a minute’s applause on the 44th minute of last Saturday’s Reading game, a gesture which will very probably be repeated on Saturday. “The unity we showed wishing Nic a full recovery made me close to bursting with pride. Well done everyone involved with Watford Football Club.” WebsitesThe busiest Hornets forum is the busy and well-informed The Hornets’ Nest . Additional comment can be found on Glory Horns .
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