Watford v Bournemouth

[Whitechapel]

Watford v Bournemouth
Vicarage Road​

In the top half and pretty much assured survival this season, Watford are essentially in limbo which means they can put all their focus on their FA Cup run. They host a Bournemouth side who, after losing back-to-back home games, might be dragged back into the relegation battle. Their away form is a positive though with them having only lost one of their last seven outings.

Form: Watford – W W D L W W / Bournemouth – D W W L L L

Last Meetings:
03/10/15 – PREM – Bournemouth 1-1 Watford
30/01/15 – CHAM – Bournemouth 2-0 Watford
20/09/14 – CHAM – Watford 1-1 Bournemouth
18/01/14 – CHAM – Bournemouth 1-1 Watford
28/08/14 – FLC – Watford 2-0 Bournemouth
10/08/14 – CHAM – Watford 6-1 Bournemouth

Match day chat.

 

[Super_horns]

I am sure there will be some tension on Twitter and other forums before the game between some fans after what happened last season (and even in the first game at Dean Court)

As for the game - seems to be if we take the lead we get a result but if not its a defeat.

I guess Bournemouth will come to attack which should make for a good game as we like to play on the counter attack.

A narrow win or draw I think.

 

[AFCB_Mark]

Our game plan is usually to (try and) come out the traps flying and nick an early goal. It doesn't happen as often this season as it did last (obviously) but a quick look at the stats will tell you that we still score all of our first half goals in the 0 - 25 mins time range and pretty much zero in the 25-45 range.

So given both our and Watford's tenancies that opening period will likely prove very important.

Yes I'm sure there will be some stick flying both ways!

A couple of good performers in the Everton game might give Howe something to think about. Stoke in our last league outing was a big disappointment, our poorest performance all season. Howe might shake up the usual league 11, or does he give them the chance to put that Stoke game right?

I'm missing this one. And I must warn you, the record for my 4 games missed this season includes 3 wins! I know loads of lads who are giving this a miss and saving money for other aways, but we've still managed to sell out which is a plus.

 

[JimJams]

1-1.

 

[PDS]

Very hard one to call; Watford could be starting to take their foot of the gas, focus on the FA Cup and prepare for next season, or they could play with freedom that seems to have been lacking from our play in the last few games.

Stoke was a horrendous performance, we never even got into it; the good thing is Eddie rarely let's that happen twice in a row; we normally always bounce back and we are coming into 'our' time of the season; every year we put a run together in March so we need to hope this year is no different.

Whispers Gradel could be involved tomorrow which would get the away support incredibly excited; even just 10 minutes would give everyone a lift. He is that creative spark we've really been lacking lately.

Always a cracker against Watford so I'll go for 2-2 but I really have concerns about how tomorrow is going to pan out

 

[kelbiiz]

Watford 2-2 Bournemouth

 

[AFCB_Mark]

Well that was alright. Decent performance.

Super human shift from the returning Maxi Gradel who we never expected to last the vast majority of the game. Hope Stanislas is ok, but at least we have options in that position.

Sounds like we should have had a penalty handball? A superb save from Gomis to deny Arter by all accounts as well.

But we also had to dig in ourselves for periods, Cook and Francis at the back looking fairly calm and solid, much as any Bournemouth defence can.

Given other results this is a positive step forwards. Onto Tuesday.

Edit, Stanislas out for the season now. Great. Get one player back and immediately lose one! Crazy season of injuries. Hey Ho, we plod onwards none the less.

 

[Super_horns]

Patchy game and we never looked comfortable despite a good start really against a side who closed us down and managed the game.

In the end it was just as well Gomes was on form again!

No lack of effort but the 433 didn't really work and we lost a bit in midfield.

 

[PDS]

It was a scrappy, ugly game that I don't think either team really deserved to win, although our late flurry could have led to so much more if Gomes wasn't in such inspired form.

Watford seemed to go a lot more route 1 than usual, possibly identifying our weakness in the air and to physicality. We withstood the aerial bombardment for the most part, but struggled with Deeney's strength at times.

Utterly fantastic to see Maxi Gradel back. He looked sharp and the Watford defence couldn't cope with him second half. Other than a couple of good blocks and saves he would have grabbed the winner on another day. Amazing how well he played considering he's been out 6 months

 

[Jamie_SFC]

It was a scrappy, ugly game that I don't think either team really deserved to win, although our late flurry could have led to so much more if Gomes wasn't in such inspired form.

Watford seemed to go a lot more route 1 than usual, possibly identifying our weakness in the air and to physicality. We withstood the aerial bombardment for the most part, but struggled with Deeney's strength at times.

Utterly fantastic to see Maxi Gradel back. He looked sharp and the Watford defence couldn't cope with him second half. Other than a couple of good blocks and saves he would have grabbed the winner on another day. Amazing how well he played considering he's been out 6 months

FFS that's Pelle starting Tuesday then.

 

[You Orns]

Probably our worst home league performance this season. Bournemouth were good and I can't see them going down, Gomes made 3 very good saves to keep us in it.

The refereeing was awful, I don't think he really had the chance to get any real big decision wrong but his inconsistency in giving out yellow card was frustrating for everyone.

Oh well, another point, only three more needed to reach the 40,

 

[AFCB_Mark]

So bloody chuffed with Maxi Gradel. 6 months out, forced into playing 80 minutes when we'd only have envisaged 20 or something, only looking a little rusty and actually putting in a good performance and looking one of our better players. Shows incredible professionalism and focus to keep yourself in that shape and return in such form.

FFS that's Pelle starting Tuesday then.

Unless Pelle has dramatically gone downhill, he'd be someone I'd worry a lot about, he's bound to cause us chaos in the air.

 

[PDS]

FFS that's Pelle starting Tuesday then.

As with the game at your place though he will score. And it will be a header. and it will be crap defending. I have already accepted all this as inevitable