A much nervier win than it needed to be - Watford were hopeless - but it was a
win and right now that is what matters most.
We’ve clearly been working on corners - load the 6 yard box with 4 or 5 of our
biggest threats and get Raphinha or Dallas to fire the ball in - low
trajectory, bending and with pace - and let loose chaos. 18 minutes in and
Llorente does well to stab home the ball, while he is falling backwards…the
ball having cannoned off a Watford defender at the back post.
In truth we could have had several more before half time - Klich, James,
Dallas, Raph and Rodrigo all having presentable opportunities. And here we go
with the enigma of Rodrigo again again - he had a good game, put in a real
shift, but a couple of times, beautifully lofted passes from Raphinha out right
cutting in onto his left foot, dropped over the defence leaving Rodrigo through
about 25 yards from goal and both times he opted to try a first time flick onto
a team mate in a worse position and the move ended…whereas a natural scorer
would have taken it down with a touch and moved in for a shot on goal. His
movement to get there, was great.
Whereas I think Watford had one deflected cross that had Meslier scurrying back
along his goal line and a scramble disallowed goal to show for their attacking
endeavours. Bizarrely they did seem to be time-wasting at 0-1 down.
Llorente, Shackleton, Phillips, James and Raph - had stand out games, miles
better than anyone from the opposition (Meslier fortunately had little to do).
Cooper, Klich, Dallas, Rodrigo - were solid
Firpo - was bizarrely brilliant one moment and hopeless the next.
Meslier - he has earned this clean sheet - our play of the season over these
first 7 games - may he keep many more
Shackleton - was high tempo, up and down the wing, some link-up with Raph
although that wasn’t nailed on. Good tackling, generally good positional play,
although got caught wrong side a couple of times.
Llorente - we are a better side with him in defence. He loved his goal
Cooper - the right kind of game for him. And he did well
Firpo - we seem to have found a slightly less flamboyant Alioski…I really don’t
know what else to say
Dallas - went off with an injury near the end…hope that will be sorted in a
couple of weeks off. Its the work he gets through that is astonishing, week
after week…pops up to defend a position when someone else has gone missing…then
he is causing bother around their penalty area…shame his shooting is a bit off
at the moment
Klich - one of his better games, energetic, pushed higher up the field, linking
midfield with whoever was upfront
Phillips - was pretty much in charge of the deep midfield area.
James - easily his best game so far - fast direct, beating men
Raphinha - at the moment this guy is what sets us a part - he is electric and
must be a nightmare to play against - we just have to enjoy him while he is here
Rodrigo - all said above - but a good game
Subs
Roberts came on - looked interested and effective, made a couple of good moves
happen, unlucky when an improvised volley came back off the bar.
This is better, now to push on.
Nick
> On 2 Oct 2021, at 19:45, Ted wrote:
>
> Yes - first half after the goal I thought we'd romp it.
>
> Last 20 mins were pretty nervy - it's never bloody easy!!
>
> Not a good sign when the crowd are whistling for the end with 5 or 6 mins
> left!
>
> Agreed, the jury is out on Rodrigo, and Dallas and Klich are not the
> players they were last season. I thought Jamie Shack had a good game and
> Raph is a level above the rest.
>
> 3 points though
>
> Ted H
>
>
> On Sat, 2 Oct 2021, 17:07 John Boocock, wrote:
>
>> Bloody hell that was a watch and a half. One question. Did Rodrigo
>> playat all?
>>
>> Betty
>>
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