Match Day Thread Swansea City 1 v 2 Watford

Swansea City v. Watford

Barclays Premier League
Date - Saturday 23 September 2017
Time - 15:00
Venue - Liberty Stadium

Following Saturday evening's battling and determined defensive performance to earn an away point against Spurs, the Swans' next match in the Barclays Premier League is a home fixture against Watford.

Whilst Swansea were at Wembley for the match against Spurs, Sergio Aguero scored a hat-trick as Manchester City moved top of the table and handed Watford their heaviest ever top-flight defeat.

Previously unbeaten Watford could have also topped the Premier League with a win against Pep Guardiola's side, but they were undone by City's prolific attack who have now scored 15 goals in three matches.

For those of us of a certain age, Watford are well-known sparring partners, with both clubs having climbed almost simultaneously from the old Fourth Division to the dizzy heights of the First Division: the Swans under John Toshack and the Hornets under the late Graham Taylor.

Indeed, Tosh's first match in charge on 3 March 1978 was against Watford and ended in an exciting 3-3 draw - as Max Boyce would say "I know coz I was there" - and both teams were promoted that season from Division Four.

In total, Swansea and Watford have met on 46 occasions, with the Swans winning 21, Watford winning 15 and 10 draws.

The corresponding fixture last season, which was Bob Bradley's first home game as Swansea City manager, ended in a goalless draw, with Alfie Mawson making his debut for the Swans.

After the two sides played out an insipid first half, Hornets keeper Heurelho Gomes made an excellent sprawling save to deny Mike van der Hoorn from close range.

Swansea poured forward in desperate search of a winner but Watford had a penalty appeal rejected when Valon Behrami fell under a challenge from Kyle Naughton. Gylfi Sigurdsson then hit the post for the Swans.

Looking ahead to Saturday, whilst the Swans will be keen to secure their first home goal and victory of the season, I have a feeling that Watford will be determined to bounce back from their heavy defeat to Man City and will secure a 1-1 draw.

 

2-0 Swans

 

It's time to win our first home game.

 

Surely we have to score two at home 2-0 Bony and an Alfie header

 

Just so long as Ross Jenkins isn't playing for them.

 

Good player in his day - but I guess that Dai would say that even at 65 years of age he'd still score against our "crap" defence ....

 

Ain't THAT a fact.

 

3 - 0 Watford....

 

Ross Jenkins hat-trick?

 

We are at home

 

Swans 2-0 Tammy and Mawson.

 

That would be great - and we'd leapfrog Watford in the table!

 

The defence looks sorted so hopefully Sanches is going to come good and Bony is gaining match fitness so there's still hope that this season will be easier than the last one .But it is worrying the lack of chances we're creating

 

How can you say the defence is sorted ? Anyone can park the bus with 9 defending ( I counted that 5 times in the Spurs match) We are far from sorted....How can you win the game playing like that...Awful football that i feel sorry for those who pay to watch that rubbish....

 

Surely the point is that Clement came to the decision that taking Tottenham on at their own game would be a bit suicidal and be likely to end up in a heavy defeat, which many on here were predicting. So, he chose to defend for 90 minutes and try for a point, and on this occasion in worked. Other teams try it as well, some even snatch a breakaway goal and win. It can be a dour watch for the fans but can also be 'exciting' to see whether your team can hold out.

I think our defence is being sorted - the second half of last season backs that up together with 3 clean sheets already this. It's our attacking play which is slow to build up giving the opposition time to put bodies behind the ball, resulting in few chances created and only 2 goals in 5 games. This is still a big problem and may get sorted with our current squad, or it may not.

 

So, I'll go for 0-0 again

 

He's actually suspended for this match. But Luther Blissett is returning after injury though..

 

Oh **** !

 

That's what I thought!!!

For a minute, I'd thought we dodged a bullet..

Let's just that little fvcker 'Callaghan' is not playing too..

 

The season is over 38 games and you know some games you are unlikely to win but at the same time you have to try and get something. Our record against Spurs shows this was one of them. So to "park the bus" was the right tactic and this had obviously been worked on in training. In a game over 90 minutes luck is going to play a part at some point at both ends. So the right tactics for this game which proved successful. Is is an unrealistic target of trying to win all games. The initial target must be to reach the minimum no of points for survival and if we achieve that I will be satisfied.and more than happy to pay for my season ticket.