Watford 1-3 West Ham Utd (24/08/19)

[DannyboyDJL]

The stats are pretty meaningless after only 3 games though. City seemingly create chances at will, whoever they play. Then two games away from home against teams who play attacking football. It creates a skewed data set.

Of course it's skewed, I said that initially, but I've also watched each game and those stats represent exactly what I've seen. Brighton should have scored 3 or 4 against us, it wasn't good defending from us to only concede 1 away from home, it was luck that they couldn't finish. We offered little going forward that game.

Yesterday we were superb going forward and we took our chances, but again could have conceded 2 or 3 easily.

Week 1 - City had the highest xG at 3.18
Week 2 - Brighton had 2nd highest xG behind City 2.4
Week 3 - Watford had 3rd highest xG behind us and Liverpool 2.29.

We've got to improve defensively or change the system against the better teams away. Those numbers are too high.

[Turns to Stone]

The front 4 looks great, specifically with Antonio on.

Still concerns at the back, it’s worth remembering that it’s not long ago that we were the team creating lots of chances but with no-one to finish them off and trying to work out a way to get a combination of Arnautovic and Hernandez on the pitch at the same time. We may have them both in one player now.

What I wouldn’t give for a fit Winston Reid and a fit Alex Song though. Both only 31. :cry:

[Patito]

and most people including the premier league.

Nope

[Beedub]

Is Alex Song only 31, now there was a serious player when he wanted to be.

[Oldun]

Watching MOTD, for the penalty Lanzini went down clutching his face, but on the replays I could see no contact with it. Yes he was bodychecked on his left side but even on the second replay, when I was looking for it, I could see no contact with his face.

Watch it again and you will see the Watford player go in to the challenge with his left arm raised and catches Lanzini in the face ,might have made more of it and it was not why the penalty was given .
It was a really poor challenge and I am sure the smack in the chops hurt .

[Patito]

Manu yesterday - 93% passing accuracy and 6 key passes. That’s really really good you know. He’s starting to get back to his best I feel.

[chigwells finest]

we will need another 3 goals to beat Norwich, with this defence,Norwich looked decent vs Chelsea yesterday

[e17]

Hate to break it to you, but he who must not be named had one of the best away records of any of our managers I think - including a 4-0 tonking of Watford away. But don't let facts get in the way, right?

3 away wins all season in 2013 and 4 in 2014.

Won’t even comment on the year under him in the championship when the endless fun but futile away efforts sent us to the play offs.

Sorry DL, love ya but will politely disagree with your facts on Samuel

[e17]

Has anyone got a link to highlights of the game that isn’t via MOTD and that lot?

[DannyboyDJL]

we will need another 3 goals to beat Norwich, with this defence,Norwich looked decent vs Chelsea yesterday

Should be a belter. (*Backs 0-0*)

[thejackhammer]

Manu yesterday - 93% passing accuracy and 6 key passes. That’s really really good you know. He’s starting to get back to his best I feel.

But what was his expected key passes?

[smuts]

Watching MOTD, for the penalty Lanzini went down clutching his face, but on the replays I could see no contact with it. Yes he was bodychecked on his left side but even on the second replay, when I was looking for it, I could see no contact with his face.

Glad it wasnt just me who noticed that. No need.for it.

[sussexhammer74]

Good win yesterday. Can't believe people are moaning. Enjoy people.

Thought Anderson put in a shift yesterday. Haller looks to be a quality signing.

Love that kit though.

[ironilunga]

What I wouldn’t give for a fit Winston Reid and a fit Alex Song though. Both only 31. :cry:

Alex Song goes down for me as one of a few truly world class players to have worn the claret and blue. He only played a handful of games but oozed class. He would be terrific in our current side.

[artlin]

exactly we won 3-1 enjoy. lets be positive for Tuesday and Saturday.

Progress in the League cup and 3 more points before the break.

Luvly.

[Graza]

Has anyone got a link to highlights of the game that isn’t via MOTD and that lot?

HIGHLIGHTS | Watford 1-3 West Ham | Premier Leagu…: " onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I think this is just the sky summary but it's got the goals and the woodwork attempts

[prophet:marginal]

I'm only seeing highlights, of course, but, whereas last weekend Fabiasnki was probably the standout performer, across both teams, Foster was the same this week.

We've scored 3 and he had to make several excellent saves to prevent us from running away with it.

Lanzini appears to have had a forearm across the face, perhaps glancing, whilst he was also tripped for the pen.

Anderson looked very sharp.

Haller is going to score bagfuls, if those two can remain fit and in form.

[Oldun]

Watching MOTD, for the penalty Lanzini went down clutching his face, but on the replays I could see no contact with it. Yes he was bodychecked on his left side but even on the second replay, when I was looking for it, I could see no contact with his face.

Glad it wasnt just me who noticed that. No need.for it.

Look at it again and there is a arm to his face in the challenge ,he ran into a raised arm from the Watford player.

[e17]

Cheers Graza you’re a legend

[Graza]

Alex Song goes down for me as one of a few truly world class players to have worn the claret and blue. He only played a handful of games but oozed class. He would be terrific in our current side.

I go round on Song. For the flashes he was on it he was brilliant. But what I remember most is his pathological need to play "Hollywood" passes wether they were on or not.

World class gets thrown around too much. There is an element there not just of skill but consistency and the latter he doesn't even come close. Even skill wise... He was a damn fine player, but I don't think he'd displace Rice as he serves a different function, he wouldn't displace Lanzini who again is in a slightly different role and he needs the mobility and he wouldn't replace Noble as we need his non footballing qualities as much as his penalty taking and hard tackling. Song would probably be a 60 minute sub in this team, which is more a glowing endorsement of what we've got rather than a damning indictment of Song...