Match Day Watford v Bournemouth, Saturday 1st October 15:00

[SALTIRE]

Match chat.

 

[AFCB_Mark]

One of our most local away days of the season, it's a nice change.

A fixture that in the last 2-3 seasons has had a little something different to it. Be it a 6-1 battering, a promotion/title battle, controversial penalties and red cards, horror tackle(s), tedious back and forth keyboard warrior-ism, our games have had just about everything. The 0-0 at Vicarage Road last season was positively dull by the standards set with this fixture.

We come into this off the back of one of our best performances and results since promotion to the top flight, our 1-0 victory over Everton last week. We had a midfield that really clicked for the first time, as Arter, Surman and Wilshere all combined their different qualities into an effective unit. Hopefully we can bring more of that tomorrow. It's helped that Callum Wilson is returning to something near his better form, now he's got a goal under his belt he's back to knocking defenders around like they're flies.

Of course it's the defence that's always our concern. Despite having much the better of Everton, we were still a little lucky not to concede at times, with goalkeeping and poor finishing to thank. We kept a clean sheet and there's no chance we'll keep two on the bounce. I'm sure Watford will score.

Watford will also be fired up by their poor outing last time against Burnley on Monday. They sounded pretty flat, we expect to receive a reaction from them against us.

I think it's got score draw written all over it. But the lovely Mike Dean is the ref....anything could happen.

 

[PDS]

Our performances against Watford last year we were decent; we probably should have won the home game (Boruc dropping a significant clanger) and had a fair few decent chances at Vicarage Road too. Gomes seems to become inspired when he plays us which is always a frustration.

I agree with Mark this looks good for a score draw; if we play like we did against Everton then we should win but Watford seem hard to predict.

Have to stick with the same XI that were so intense and dominant at times against Everton; which sadly means no place for Josh King, but he gives a really good option off the bench should Wilson not get into the game.

 

[You Orns]

Oh Twitter should be a fun read this weekend...

It feels like we haven't beaten Bournemouth in ages, the 6-1 feeling like it was far longer than 3 years ago. If we play anything like we did against United we should win, play like we did up at Burnley we could get hammered.

If we get away without giving away a penalty or getting a player sent off I'll be happy...

 

[Super_horns]

Maybe changes in defence which might not be a bad thing..

Certainly will be an open attacking game I feel.

 

[AFCB_Mark]

Pissed off not to win there, hit the woodwork 3 bloody times second half!

But take the point. Plenty of positives to take, Wilshere and Ibe with their best games to date, they keep improving game on game. Wilson also is becoming more and more his old self.

But the defence, what a silly goal to concede immediately after taking the lead. Stupid. Hold our ground there without a soft foul and non existent challenge in the air, we probably win.

Hey ho, great game for any neutrals. Would definitely have taken 4 points from Everton and Watford.

 

[PDS]

Will post more when I get home but what a crazy silly game that was.

Disappointed to throw away a lead twice, some poor defending, Daniels in particular suffered. Personally I'd begin to phase him out for Smith or Ake.

A draw was probably fair all in all, Boruc made a few stunning saves whilst we had ano ongoing rivalry with their post. Wilshere just had to score from the Smith cut back though.

 

[Super_horns]

As we thought an open attacking game - with you guys having the better of it.

Was glad Success came on and scored - looks really lively and quick.

We certainly improved 2nd half.

Ref seemed fussy and quick to bring the card out.

 

[PDS]

Not quite sure how Ighalo gets a start ahead of Success. Seems to be living off past glories.

 

[Super_horns]

Success had been injured so gusts we are just playing him in slowly.