Watford 0 United 2 - report/ratings

[Deadbat]

United made it back-to-back wins with a routine victory against an abject Watford side at Vicarage Road. United were on top for much of the game and controlled the first half creating three decent chances. Watford ended the first 45 minutes stronger and started well in the 2nd half but after Bamford’s swept finish from Hamer’s pass, the result was never in doubt. Bamford scored another, an even better finish, from Seriki’s cross and United saw the game out easily to put them into the top half of the table.



There was only one change from the win against Hull with Riedewald back in for Peck who was rested. McGuiness and Rothwell remained in the side after impressing against the Tigers a week ago. Watford, like the Blades, had nothing to play for in a game that clearly was about planning for next season and looking at who may be part of each side’s plans.



The first attack of the game came when Maamma got down the left and Seriki challenged with the Watford man asking for a penalty but was weaved away. Brooks had the first real chance for United on 6 minutes but his effort was weak and easily saved by the home keeper. Soon after, a free kick out left was whipped in and Bamford flicked goalwards but was straight at the keeper.



United were having most of the ball and Brooks then was able to play in Bamford with an excellent ball and his shot was saved by Selvik who pushed it behind. The Norwegian keeper then pushed McGuiness header over as United continued to control the early proceedings. From the next corner, the ball bounced around but could not be turned towards goal and was cleared. Burrows then fired well over after more grappling at a corner – reminiscent of events a week ago.



Nearly all the play had been in the Watford half but Mendy did have an effort – a long way over the bar. However, this seemed to kick start the home side into life. After good work from Irankunda, there was a step over and despite Hamer taking his man down, the advantage was played. The shot came in but Tanganga made the block. Watford asked for a penalty but seemed to hit the defender in a rather delicate area. Louza spoke out of turn and was cautioned for his complaints.



On the half hour, Seriki was played in after a clever quick throw which saw good work from him and Brooks but his cross was blocked. Watford tried to break but Maamma ran it out of play, summed up the lack of quality on display. The same player then hurled himself to the floor before O’Hare was tripped. Manager Still was the next to take things too far and was also booked as the home side were becoming frustrated but United had been the better side for most of the game.



Brooks had looked United’s main threat and came inside drawing two challenges before hitting a low shot that was blocked and after a corner Riedewald hooked it back into the six-yard box but Watford cleared the danger.



Watford had been extremely poor but a ball from the left was blocked well by Tanganga, who had been impressive in the first half. Abankwah then blazed over the bar as the home side gradually improved and now the play was being played in the United half for the first time.



The best chance of the game came for the Hornets as Irankunda, the main threat, played the ball across and as it was sent back, Kayembe blazed over from close range. It was a bad miss and despite United creating three decent opportunities, this perhaps eclipsed them all. The same player then had a shot deflected as Watford ended the half stronger after being second best for the first 30 minutes of the game.



The second half saw Watford on the attack and Doumbia turned and fired a shot goalwards but Davies got down to make the block. A rare foul throw – form Burrows- was a symbol of a sloppy beginning to the half from the visitors. Doumbia then fired over as Watford were getting the ball forward much quicker.



United took the lead, perhaps against the run of play on 50 minutes. The build up was patient and Hamer was able to find space to play a ball into the box and BAMFORD with his left foot swept it beyond the keeper. It was the accuracy rather than the power that saw it drift beyond Selvik.



Davies had looked assured but two moments of indecision came when he kicked out with his right foot along the floor and then spilled a routine take soon after. Tanganga did well to make another block after Brooks gave it away and then Davies took a cross into the box.



Rothwell’s cynical foul saw United pick up their first booking of the game before Irankunda took a free kick that was straight at Davies. The same player somehow escaped a yellow card after he and Bamford had both pushed each other repeatedly. Irankunda raised his hands but Bamford did go down theatrically but surely should have been a card of some type?



The Blades made it 2-0 when Brooks and O’Hare executed the told ‘Stevens to Fleck’ throw routine with Brooks and Seriki sent over a delightful cross but the finish from BAMFORD was exquisite as he flicked it beyond the keeper into the net. Chong replaced Brooks immediately after the goal.



Chakvetodze and Nabizoda replaced Kayembe and Maamma for the home side who had conceded two poor goals and were nearly undid again after Hamer and Bamford played in O’Hare but the ball only ricocheted towards the keeper who made the save. Watford’s performance was rather desperate and so were their appeals for another penalty – as Souza went into the box and the ball came off McGuiness but from close range – meaning any handball could not be penalised. Irankunda shot was a long way over before Hamer was booked for a typical pull back.



Hamer then came off for Ings and Riedewald was replaced by Peck as United went to two up front. Goglichidze flicked header did not trouble Davies before more changes came. Bola and Kjerrumgaard replaced Doumbia and Abankwah as the game entered the final 20 minutes.



Ings was booked for dissent after a soft foul following a United corner. Arblaster and Bindon came on for Riedewald and O’Hare as the away side went to a 3-5-2. Peck tripped his man but the dive was spectacular and Bove came on for Mendy before the free kick. Irankunda continued to the most dangerous home player and he hit a fierce dipping free kick but it dipped over Davies’ bar.



The game was drifting towards a tame conclusion with United managing the game professionally and Watford not looking like coming back into the game. Arblaster played a clever ball down the right before Seriki did well on two occasions to intercept. Chong pulled his man back cynically as Watford broke before Pollock was booked for a late tackle on Peck right at the end of the eight additional minutes played. United eased to the victory and the away fans saluted their side as the full-time whistle – in comparison to the home fans, those left in the ground, that loudly booed their own players efforts.

 

[Deadbat]

United – A professional and assured performance. We were not tremendous but played well for large parts and had most of the game. The first half hour it was all us and we had three decent chances. We kept the ball well and Brooks was dangerous down the right. Their keeper made two good saves and Watford did not offer anything. They finished a bit better and had one good chance on half time but Davies did not have a save to make. It was quite a slow and typical end of season game. Second half they started, how they finished the first half and forced Davies into a save but we broke and from a rather innocuous position, somehow scored. The ball was moved around but under no pressure Hamer hit a pass come shot and Bamford did well to intentionally divert it in. After this there were lots of subs and the game was stop start but the second goal is an excellent football in terms of a quick throws, good cross and sublime finish. Bamford was too sharp and intelligent for a slow and static Watford defence. After this, nothing happened. A few tame efforts from them and some bookings both ways but more subs made sure it lacked any fluency – this suited us as we just saw it out for a comfortable win.



Make no mistake Watford were awful and like the win at QPR – we played a team showing no intensity and they just looked disinterested. They showed more effort appealing for free kicks and penalties – that were not even close – than trying to move it forward quickly and penetrate the box. They were slow and wasteful in possession and made mistakes throughout the game. United did not tear them apart and actually the home side did have the book ends of the half time spine but other than 10 minutes to end the half and 5 minutes after the break, United were the better team. The stats show they had more possession, more shots (not on target) and a higher XG (maybe that one big chance skews it in their favour?). They also had more passes in the final third and more successful passes but created nothing of note other than the one poor effort over the bar and one Davies save. You could argue that outside the goals, not sure we had any other efforts but that shows a clinical side we have not seen this season and we made sure – like last week – we were better in the two boxes. After the second it felt like a typical end of season fare. Teams swapped players in and out but they never stretched us. We were well organised and compact and restricted them to mostly long-range shots. Burrows and Seriki were much better this week – particularly the latter – in terms of defending. The two centre halves played well – Tanganga was our 2nd best player after Bamford in terms of impact I thought. Rothwell and Tanganga were steady and Brooks dangerous first half. Hamer was quiet but set up the goal. O’Hare was totally ineffectual again though in my opinion. Subs came on and helped us see it out.



A routine win in the end and means we move to the dizzy heights of 12th (top half). Nice that we are at least putting some wins together and with two home games to come, should try and see if we can crack the top 10. Might not mean much in the scheme of things but at least gives us some confidence and momentum for next season and finishing 9th or 10th is a whole lot better than 16th or 17th in terms of how you feel about the season.





Ratings:



Davies 6/10 – Nothing to do in the first half. Few shots went over. Made his only real save after the break – a decent one down low. He was good with his feet and this is an improvement on Cooper I would say – then he kicked one straight to them on his right foot and also spilt a ball through. After this he kept a clean sheet with ease – only his second since he has come back in.



Seriki 7.5/10 - Started well forward with a few crosses but none particularly accurate. Did well to get back and cover defensively. He got better and better as the game went on. He got down the right but the issues last week was defending and touch – he was so much better in these regards and nipped in and covered on a number of occasions. The superb cross led to the second goal but he had been involved in several quick throws that led to chances. Put a lot in and looked shattered by the end. His standards had slipped but played well today.



Burrows 5.5/10 –One cross for a header and a wild shot but he got caught out a few times defensively and many of their attacks came down his side first half. He sliced a shot over the bar but not sure we saw him going forward much at all today? He was better defensively in the second half but got caught out again on one occasion. Our weakest defender but still ok.



McGuiness 6.5/10 – Solid again. He won his headers, swept up and made no mistakes. Just a no fuss performance. Cannot recall any big tackles or moments he stopped anything as they attacked but just did his job.



Tanganga 7.5/10 – Excellent first half and made 3 key blocks. He continued this second half with another fine block and always seemed to be in the right position. He was brave and kept throwing himself into shots. He was had a fair bit of criticism but was better last week and today he took it up another level and one of our better players. If Bamford does not score two, might be our man of the match.



Rothwell 6/10 – Steady without being spectacular to start with. He used it sensibly and tried to move it forward – not always going backwards which I like. As the game wen on we saw less of him and he got booked. Ran out of gas a bit.



Riedewald 6/10 – As above. Got in the right areas to pick things up and often between the centre backs. He is an odd player as the Pinch alluded to this week – does not make many tackles/interceptions but he just gets into good positions and stifles space for attacking players. A player that probably does a lot of work that you do not notice. He needs to be stronger to last more than he does – in terms of time played.



O’Hare 4.5/10 – Not in the game at all and our weakest player. Up to Xmas, he was definitely our player of the season in my opinion but had dropped off the last few months with few assists or goals and game passing him by. Seems to lack the zip and energy he had. He was involved in the flick round the corner for the Seriki cross.



Brooks 6.5/10 – First half he was our main threat with some runs down the right and looked to be positive. A few crosses and shots came in – should have done better with an early chance. He had another weaving run and shot before half time and they ended up doubling up on him. He was not as involved second half and came off after the second.



Hamer 6/10 – Quiet today but still always looking to make things happen the times he got on the ball. Had a few moments to start the game as we looked to find space but nothing clear really in terms of creation or efforts but then he was a big part of the opening goal. He then had a spell where he linked with others and nearly led to more chances. Silly booking again though before going off.



Bamford 8/10 – Had our best effort first half which was a shot from the angle and well saved. He tried to hold it up and bring people into play. Second half he was always coming short and looking for the ball but then ironically the goals come when he goes the other way and into the box. Both goals were clearly meant with clever finishes. The first a swept finish although not sure if Hamer was trying to shoot or pass? The second was certainly not fortunate though as he flicks it in superbly. It was not as spectacular as the Wrexham away flicked goal but still very good and not an easy skill to execute. He has been on the end of a few Seriki crosses to score this season. The only disappointment was him hitting the deck looking for fouls and him also holding his face twice when he was barely touched – the second one there was contact but not sure enough to go down. He does look for free kicks and does play act. He did for other clubs before he came here and why he is often disliked by opposition fans. Still, if the holds the ball, shows the intelligence and football brain along with the anticipation and finishing he is still a real asset at this level. He had dropped his standards recently and been a bit stop start with injuries etc but today he was excellent and ultimately his sharpness and class the difference between the sides.



Subs -



Chong 5/10 – A relatively quiet performance – got a cynical booking. One run where he won a corner but not sure he saw much of it.



Ings 5/10 – Not given much of the ball and he too got unnecessarily booked for back chat. Held in the corner a few times.



Arblaster 5/10 – One good ball round the corner but not did not see much of the ball as it seemed to be out of play more than on the pitch!



Peck 5/10 – See above but got his foot in a few times. Booked for a trip and then drew a booking when someone tripped him.



Bindon – They did not really put the ball into the box and made it easy for him – in a brief cameo.



Manager: Wilder 7/10 – Solid three points where he saw most player play decent to well and a few very good. We began the game well and controlled it and after leading, did not even look like throwing it away. Was positive enough to put two up top – even at 2-0 and went to a three at the back to ensure we flooded the middle (in terms of three in midfield too). Saw it out with a streetwise performance which is kind of what he talked about wanting moving forward.





Watford – Another team, like us, that have had a nothing sort of season. Nowhere near the top and nowhere near the bottom. Gone through managers again but no clear plan how they move forward. Some decent players and some talent but too many holes in the squad and seem to play well one week and then look hopeless the next. Much like us! Ed Still has spent most of his life in Belgium. Coached there for a few clubs but was an odd move to be given the Hornets job. His brother had a very unsuccessful spell in the EFL after doing well in France, so remains to be seen if he will fare any better. So far, it has been rather mixed but you fear from him regardless looking at the track record of the Watford owners.



They rotated a few players around – a couple Chakvetadze in midfield and Kjerrumgaard up top – seem to be two of their better players whenever I have seen them before but were taken out. They looked slow and did not get men into the box and appealed for frivolous penalty appeals but Davies had one save to make all game. They went behind and then conceded another and sort of gave up. They made changes but it did not make a bit of difference and deserved to lose the game – despite the stats oddly being in their favour in certain categories – but to the eye test, United had clearer chances and played the more progressive football and scored two good goals. I would argue in Bamford, Tanganga and Seriki, we had the best three players on the field too.



We have had a few of these games at Watford in my lifetime – right at the end of the season and the home side seemed totally disinterested. I recall a 2-0 win and a 3-0 win under Warnock I think? We also lost 2-0 at Watford in the 02-03 where neither side had anything to play for.



Opponent Man of the Match – Hard to pick one. They were dreadful. Irankunda should have been booked but he was the main threat with a few shots and moments where he got the crosses into the box. Louza I normally like but he was petulant and sort of gave up after the break.



Opponent Weak link – Take your pick. Totally blunt up the top of the field, poor in possession when it mattered and switched off at key times at the back. Pollock was booked and lost his man on both goals but the lad Maamma was appalling. He looked for free kicks all game, fell on the floor and then just kept it losing the ball. Looked like he had won a bet to play.



Referee / Officials – John Bushby. Did Millwall, Stoke and Coventry. Cannot recall too much about those games apart from Stoke having a player sent off rightly and maybe us having a penalty turned down late v Coventry when Campbell got took out? He seemed to draw the ire of Watford players and coaching staff but not sure why – they had three appeals for penalties that were not even close. Only one might have hit a hand but McGuiness was right next to the ball. The others hit players in the chest or lower. He booked 4 for us and 2 for them which seemed an imbalance but then Hamer’s and Chong’s were definite yellows. Ings complained and Peck’s seemed soft but so was Pollock’s for them. The other was Louza for moaning. The worst offence – the lad Irankunda shoved Bamford into the face and could have been sent off -even if Bamford did go down easily. VAR in the Premier League probably sends him off whether we think it is soft or not. It was a stop start game but that was down to several stoppages and subs rather than the ref who tried to play on a fair bit. Watford might not have been happy with him but not sure anything really affected the result- so need to look at their own performances.

 

[Richeee]

Bloody hell!...1st