Watford 0-1 Saints - Match Thread

[The Left Back]

59 minutes ago, Dellman said:

I don't get the hatred for Walcott, just jealousy because he's done well and made a fortune and not with us? He remains the only player to have scored premier league goals in 14 (or is it 15?) consecutive seasons, a record that will probably never be equalled, let's hope he bangs in another this season and extends the record.  I am a supporter. If the manager picks a player, back him 100%

I don't think it's hate, and certainly not jealousy.  If there's a criticism of fans (not just this forum) is that we tend to rush to binary judgements about players.  So players can be written off far too quickly (in the current squad without breaking sweat I'm thinking both keepers, all four central defenders, all midfielders and several strikers).  My instinct is that Theo is done and is unlikely to add much value on the pitch from here on.  On the other hand he got a contract from the club and gets picked by the manager and so there's possibly something I'm not seeing.  I realise a moderate view sounds like sitting on the fence.  I'm hoping he doesn't get picked this weekend because I've seen nothing this season to warrant a place in the team.  But I wouldn't write his footballing obituary just yet.  Even Shane Long had a decent cameo on Tuesday!

[Toussaint]

15 minutes ago, The Left Back said:

I don't think it's hate, and certainly not jealousy.  If there's a criticism of fans (not just this forum) is that we tend to rush to binary judgements about players.  So players can be written off far too quickly (in the current squad without breaking sweat I'm thinking both keepers, all four central defenders, all midfielders and several strikers).  My instinct is that Theo is done and is unlikely to add much value on the pitch from here on.  On the other hand he got a contract from the club and gets picked by the manager and so there's possibly something I'm not seeing.  I realise a moderate view sounds like sitting on the fence.  I'm hoping he doesn't get picked this weekend because I've seen nothing this season to warrant a place in the team.  But I wouldn't write his footballing obituary just yet.  Even Shane Long had a decent cameo on Tuesday!

Shane Long is slightly different in that he doesn’t rely solely on pace, I think Theo’s legs have gone and without that (those) he has absolutely nothing. I agree re the the binary judgements, lyanco being the most recent example of zero to hero in two games, literally the definition of binary!

[Sheaf Saint]

Not hatred, just objectivity. He looked like he still had something to offer in the first half of last season, but since coming back from injury he's looked poor, and so far this season has looked out of his depth and contributed nothing.

He's not the future of this team. A backup player at best now.

Edited 29 October, 2021 by Sheaf Saint

[SaintZamboni]

35 minutes ago, Sheaf Saint said:

Not hatred, just objectivity. He looked like he still had something to offer in the first half of last season, but since coming back from injury he's looked poor, and so far this season has looked out of his depth and contributed nothing.

He's not the future of this team. A backup player at best now.

A backup player who cost £0 except wages. I think that needs to be included in any objective thinking. If the club can hold on to or get players for no transfer fee then that’s a win, even if that player is a back up or cup player. 

[Matthew Le God]

10 minutes ago, SaintZamboni said:

A backup player who cost £0 except wages. I think that needs to be included in any objective thinking. If the club can hold on to or get players for no transfer fee then that’s a win, even if that player is a back up or cup player. 

That isn't true. Agent fee, loyalty fees, signing on fees etc etc

[CB Fry]

21 minutes ago, SaintZamboni said:

A backup player who cost £0 except wages. I think that needs to be included in any objective thinking. If the club can hold on to or get players for no transfer fee then that’s a win, even if that player is a back up or cup player. 

I think it is massively pushing it to describe Theo as a player who cost "£0".

His wages are huge and likely to be much higher than some players we have paid fees for. So you can't say "£0 except wages" like that's not the issue. It is the issue.

On the club's balance sheet, Theo is going to represent significant expenditure. 

 

Edited 29 October, 2021 by CB Fry

[Dark Munster]

13 hours ago, Minsk said:

Given Broja's injury, I don't think the team will be far from this:

                 McCarthy

Tino    Bednarek  Salisu  Perraud

              JWP    Romeu

  S Armstrong            Redmond

         A Armstrong   Adams

Possibly Moi starting vice Stu? But as he had an op on his hand on Monday wouldn't have trained much this week.

Subs: Forster; KWP; Valery; Lyanco; Diallo; Smallbone; Djenepo; Moi; Tella

I like the position you put Theo, he should be there every match. 👍

[Toussaint]

7 hours ago, SaintZamboni said:

A backup player who cost £0 except wages. I think that needs to be included in any objective thinking. If the club can hold on to or get players for no transfer fee then that’s a win, even if that player is a back up or cup player. 

Wages are a significant “exception” He costs around £3.7 million a year plus, whatever it cost to get him here. 

[Ex Lion Tamer]

10 hours ago, CB Fry said:

I think it is massively pushing it to describe Theo as a player who cost "£0".

His wages are huge and likely to be much higher than some players we have paid fees for. So you can't say "£0 except wages" like that's not the issue. It is the issue.

On the club's balance sheet, Theo is going to represent significant expenditure. 

 

It's a decent point though that although Theo's wage looks excessive, the club will have looked at the total cost compared to an equivalent player and decided it is better value. It just looks weird because Theo is getting a bigger % of the money

[Shroppie]

Anyway, back on today's game, as Broja us out I wouldn't be surprised to see a 4141

McCarthy

Livramento Salisu Bednarek Perrauld

Romeu

SA JWP Diallo Redmond 

AA 

With Bednarek possibly swapped out for Lyanco and Adams or (don't laugh) Long for AA.

Please no Walcott

 

 

[Saint Matty 76]

I just want to see a lineup without Walcott. We have too many competent alternatives to even be considering him. 

I can’t say I know too much about how Watford play this year, but I’d like Armstrong and Redmond behind Armstrong and Che. 

Also took a look at the Watford forum and it’s nice to remember that it’s not just this place that’s gone insane.

 

[davefizzy14]

Hopefully we can maintain our good form recently and get our first league away win of the season. 2-0 to us with Adam Armstrong and Adams scoring COYR

[Chapel End]

Who's looking forward to the team news?

Ralph has lots of decisions to make with a deep squad and the less regular starters impressing, good problem to have.

[Billy the Kidd]

Not a bad team, is that.

[trousers]

[Billy the Kidd]

Happy AA gets a chance. Although I saw Foster and thought Fraser was in. Then realised i was looking at the Watford lineup.

[northam soul]

Still think Stuart Armstrong should be one of the first names on the team sheet.

 

[Baird of the land]

KWP the slight surprise but i assume Ralph thinks he is better defensively than Perraud.

Assume Djenepo is injured, which is a shame.

 

Edited 30 October, 2021 by Baird of the land

[Chapel End]

Just now, northam soul said:

Still think Stuart Armstrong should be one of the first names on the team sheet.

 

Yes, when fully fit

[captainchris]

Ralph sticking to his teachers pets I see… 

[johnnyboy]

IPTV listings here 👇

[Saint_Tony]

decent line up, KWP probably in at left back to try and keep Sarr quiet. Really should be winning this, no excuses. Watford 1-3 Saints (Redmond 31, Sarr 44, A. Armstrong 53, 70)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Sheaf Saint]

Ralph was quoted as saying that JWP wouldn't automatically get his place back. Diallo has been playing very well in his absence and didn't deserve to be dropped.

Still not convinced by KWP at LB. 

Macca and Bednarek straight back in after their respective replacements both had great games against Chelsea.

At least Walcott isn't starting I suppose.

[Chapel End]

1 minute ago, captainchris said:

Ralph sticking to his teachers pets I see… 

Yawn

[Billy the Kidd]

1 minute ago, captainchris said:

Ralph sticking to his teachers pets I see… 

Who Redmond - the one that has been one of our better players this season.  

Yeah, I can effing believe it eaver.

[Suhari]

Shame Diallo misses out - but I suppose it was always going to happen. Wonder if we'll still see fast progression through midfield or if we'll be back to plod-plod-plod?

Why not a natural LB in the LB position?

This could see us slowing down play too much.

 

[Saint Pete]

2 minutes ago, trousers said:

Still baffled by the omission of Stuart Armstrong again. Presumably not injured as on the bench. I don’t understand why we would be starting Moi or Redmond in preference to him, sorry. Otherwise team is as I would have expected.

[Sheaf Saint]

Just now, Saint Pete said:

Still baffled by the omission of Stuart Armstrong again. Presumably not injured as on the bench. I don’t understand why we would be starting Moi or Redmond in preference to him, sorry. Otherwise team is as I would have expected.

I expect he will come on at some point, as will Diallo.

[Billy the Kidd]

Just now, Saint Pete said:

Still baffled by the omission of Stuart Armstrong again. Presumably not injured as on the bench. I don’t understand why we would be starting Moi or Redmond in preference to him, sorry. Otherwise team is as I would have expected.

He is coming back from injury, i agree he should play otherwise, and expect he will be starting games soon, but cant be rushed straight back into 90 mins.

[Chapel End]

1 minute ago, Saint Pete said:

Still baffled by the omission of Stuart Armstrong again. Presumably not injured as on the bench. I don’t understand why we would be starting Moi or Redmond in preference to him, sorry. Otherwise team is as I would have expected.

Still building full fitness i would expect 

[whelk]

Comfortable win today boys

[nta786]

Can see the logic tbf, I'd have preferred Perraud but am also happy with KWP at left back.

JWP straight back in no surprise, before suspension I think had the 2nd highest "distance covered" and he is our captain. Who is to say we wouldnt have beaten Leeds even with him had he not be suspended.

Djenepo would have been handy off bench too.

Prediction - tight 1-0 Saints win whilst we make chances I just expect Saints to make a dogs dinner of about 7 of them

[Toadhall Saint]

2 minutes ago, Saint_Tony said:

decent line up, KWP probably in at left back to try and keep Sarr quiet. Really should be winning this, no excuses. Watford 1-3 Saints (Redmond 31, Sarr 44, A. Armstrong 53, 70)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Why should we? If we do then it will be a good result away from home beating a side that has just beat Everton by a good margin in their own back yard.

[ErwinK1961]

Shame for Diallo, midfields looked better with him in it.

Also don’t like a right footer at left back, but as has been mentioned assume KWP to do a job on Sarr.

Nice to see Armstrong up front with an actual striker partner.

[Totton Saint]

8 minutes ago, Billy the Kidd said:

Happy AA gets a chance. Although I saw Foster and thought Fraser was in. Then realised i was looking at the Watford lineup.

Me too!

[cloggy saint]

6 minutes ago, Saint_Tony said:

Really should be winning this, no excuses. Watford 1-3 Saints (Redmond 31, Sarr 44, A. Armstrong 53, 70)

You not only have the scorers but the times in which they score?!  There's no way this is a 'no excuses for not winning' game. Watford are a strong, physical side with a couple of decent players, they also have a case for thinking it's a 'no excuses' game. I can see another draw coming up.

Edited 30 October, 2021 by cloggy saint

[SNSUN]

A win would be insane. 😀

 

Seriously Watford are missing Dennis but King and Sarr are dangerous, King more so as his confidence will be high. Still, I don't think we've been in bad form and I tip us to get our first away win of the season today, even without Broja.

 

1-3 Saints, JWP on the sheet and Armstrong will get one.

[nta786]

Just now, Toadhall Saint said:

Why should we? If we do then it will be a good result away from home beating a side that has just beat Everton by a good margin in their own back yard.

Depends on your PL aspirations really, with all due respect to Watford if we want to finish 12th or higher you should be beating promoted sides home and away with the odd exception.

Equally though, if Watford want to stay up then they should be targeting 3 pts against a team like us.

A draw keeps our head above the water really, doesn't do much favours.

Therefore on that front I hope it is a good open game where both go for it.

[Ed Rooney]

Golden bollox back, KWP left back, Bednarek back even though he has been at fault for 2 goals in last 3 games, S Armstrong on the bench 

Quality, absolute quality 

[beatlesaint]

It didn’t matter how good Forster, Lyanco, Diallo etc played mid week or over the past 3 games in the case of Diallo, the old favourites were always coming back in.

Anyone who believed that bullshit about JWP not assured of his place is a mug.

Edited 30 October, 2021 by beatlesaint

[Suhari]

Wonder how we'll do with set pieces today.

[Toadhall Saint]

13 minutes ago, nta786 said:

Depends on your PL aspirations really, with all due respect to Watford if we want to finish 12th or higher you should be beating promoted sides home and away with the odd exception.

Equally though, if Watford want to stay up then they should be targeting 3 pts against a team like us.

A draw keeps our head above the water really, doesn't do much favours.

Therefore on that front I hope it is a good open game where both go for it.

So you agree then? 👍😉

[Chapel End]

2 minutes ago, Suhari said:

Wonder how we'll do with set pieces today.

Hopefully score from a couple 

[Scallysaint]

If Ralph plays Stu Armstrong from the start and his injury flares up people on here would have a meltdown.

 

we are finally managing players a bit better

 

[Dr Who?]

I have a good feeling for today. I have no idea why. 
 

Liking the look of the team lineup and the only improvement would by S Armstrong in IF and when he is fully fit from what is available. 
 

Thinking it will be a good game 👍

[Dr Who?]

Oh and hopefully the break for JWP and we will see him back to his best 🤞 

[Fabrice29]

26 minutes ago, Saint Pete said:

Still baffled by the omission of Stuart Armstrong again. Presumably not injured as on the bench. I don’t understand why we would be starting Moi or Redmond in preference to him, sorry. Otherwise team is as I would have expected.

There was no way he was going from being injured and one (i think? maybe 2) sub appearance to starting 2 games a in a week. 

[Nemi]

Not saying that JWP shouldn’t play but how he just walks back into Diallo’s spot is mental. Could certainly accommodate all three if JWP is deemed undroppable 

[RedArmy]

It’s a shame we don’t have the depth to switch to a 3 man midfield and keep Diallo in the side. He’s been one of our best players this season. 
 

 

[Totton Saint]

4 minutes ago, Nemi said:

Not saying that JWP shouldn’t play but how he just walks back into Diallo’s spot is mental. Could certainly accommodate all three if JWP is deemed undroppable 

Could Diallo had been picked instead of Romeo or is that heresy?