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Thoughts on Portsmouth game...

Discussion in 'Watford' started by emiatss, Jan 2, 2012.

  1. emiatss

    emiatss Member

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    Due to university its not often I can get to away games, so I thought I would give my opinion on the one I could get to!

    Generally, its hard to deny that the better team won. I would rather credit Portsmouth then blame us, our centre back pairing of Mariappa and Nosworthy simply couldn't cope whenever a high ball was put into our box, when they were up against target men Kitson and particularly Futacs. Every time a cross, corner or set piece came into our box I thought a goal could easily result. Our centre-backs are good against pacey attacks like Doncaster had, but today we missed Martin Taylor.

    We lost pretty much every battle. When we had Deeney and Sordell up front we played a short passing game, it didn't really work. In the second half, we tried direct with Sordell and Iwelumo, and that didn't work. Sordell and Kightly's dribbling skills deserted them, and we seemed to get outplayed in the middle of the park. Scott Loach made 3 or 4 excellent saves, Kitson hit the crossbar and he also skied a shot over which he should have scored. In reply we offered little, I think their goalkeeper Henderson made one save.

    Little should be changed, it obviously wasn't our day today when against Doncaster it obviously was our day. That the Championship for you, you can't swap around too much after a poor performance.

    Now then, on to the referee. And you know what, I'll even reserve judgement on the Loach sending off until I watch the highlights, but immediate reaction says he must have been fouled. As a trained referee myself, he made simply mistakes. For example, the linesman flagged for offside, the referee ignored it, play went for about a minute with the linesman flagging for offside, then we had a injury break, then suddenly we began with an indirect free kick for offside?? Twice they didnt have a clue who the throw-in was for, just giving each other quizzical looks, and a Kitson shot was given a corner when it blatantly didnt take a touch. Not great refereeing Im afraid, but I don't think it would have changed the result of the match in all honesty.

    Ah well, we move on, we're doing well under Dyche, at least he has time to sort it out after this off-day.
     
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  2. babyhornetdan

    babyhornetdan Well-Known Member

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    Thanks for that emiatss. Its a great, balanced review. Its much appreciated as i could not bear to listen and missed the 1st half.

    I dont think we have done too bad, only 2 defeats in about 10 games and went through December undefeated. This from a team who were/are one of the favs to go down. Referees have played their part but we have also made our own luck. We are entitled to an off day, as long as its only the one!!!
     
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  3. LuxWFC

    LuxWFC Member

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    I think I agree, not a great performance by us.

    We have lost the midfield....something has to be done about it.

    Kightly, Yeates and Buaben are not good enough defensively. Hogg really has too much work cut out for him....
     
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  4. TivertonHornet

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    I was there as well.

    It was just not our day. I thought Pompy werent that good and were there for the taking. Defence I thought played well and Loachy was excellent today. Save before half time was as Paul Merson would say a worldy. Nosworthy looked solid with Mariappa and i though Dicko and Hodson had good games. Midfield was lacking and this was the problem. Hoggy and the Prince were not at the races but tried. Yates and Kightley tred but nothing came off. Sordell huffed and puffed and so did Deeny but no decent service

    Iwellummo is absolute dire and needs to find a new club, no pace no link up play and awful in the air. I would have brought Garner on for Deeny not Iwellumo. Loach was unlucky with the sending off looked the other way round to me.

    Last word goes to the Hornets support and especially the lads behing the Tiverton Hornet with the flag. Great support excellent banter and constant singing. Nice one lads a pleasure to sing a long with you all.

    Pompy an old fashioned ground and the home fans were very quiet right up to their first goal.

    Portsmouth is one hell of a dump. Southampton was great compared to Portsmouth. Couldnt wait to head back to the West Country.

    Onwards and upwards.

    Yellow, read and black army.
     
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  5. emiatss

    emiatss Member

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    Hi Tiverton,

    Agree to most of what you say. Opinion is split (albeit heavily in one favour) on Iwelumo. Most fans like yourself think he is pretty useless, and i agree in that he clearly has a huge lack of mobility around the field. However, with the minority I point out that he won most of the headers he went up for today, but no one ran on to them. i think he should be given a chance, but when so many fans are against him playing then this may force Dyche's hand.

    Also, I go to university in Southampton, so I can show you a few 'dumps' around Southampton!
     
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  6. Hornette_TID

    Hornette_TID Well-Known Member
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    Iwelumo doesn't jump. He got the headers without his feet leaving the ground...and he's so slow.

    Sorry i didn't find you Tivers, i came to look for you at half time but couldn't :(
     
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  7. vicarage92394

    vicarage92394 Member

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    Agree Iwelumo is slow,wasn't there today but last Saturday he came on,got a free run on goal within 5 minutes and was outpaced by a player who had been on 75minutes!....Must raise the point,what's going to happen now SL banned. Who's going to replace him? Bond,Gilmartin back off loan or a loanee?
     
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  8. babyhornetdan

    babyhornetdan Well-Known Member

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    I would assume that Bond would get the Bradford game (if we dont appeal) and Bonham the U18 keeper would be on the bench. It was always possible anyway, so not the end of the world.
     
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  9. Hornette_TID

    Hornette_TID Well-Known Member
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    i agree with Dan...that's probably the likely course..but i doubt Gilmartin will be recalled...he was sent out before Bond got back from his loan :)
     
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  10. LuxWFC

    LuxWFC Member

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    I know someone who is in the reserves and they basically said that Iwelumo is the slowest player in training he has ever seen, and he has poor control.
     
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  11. Norwayhornet

    Norwayhornet Well-Known Member

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    Big Chris does really good flick ons , but thats it , you need more than that to your game at this level!
    Again Scott cops a lot of unnecessary flack , wouldnt be surprised if he does leave !!!!
     
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