Watford vs Sheffield United

EFL Championship Matchweek 26 - Saturday 4th January 2025 - 15:00 - Vicarage Road
Please keep all discussion related to the match within this thread.

Player Ratings:
Matchday Stats/Player Ratings - https://www.s24su.com/forum/match-day/match/watford-vs-sheffield-united.723/

Officials:

Referee: David Webb
Assistants: Rob Smith and George Byrne
Fourth Official: James Linington

Coverage:

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Live TV Coverage:

SUTV (in Unsold Markets or Non-Televised in UK): https://www.sufc.co.uk/live/

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[Edgar Allan Poo]

First but I wanted to be thirteenth.

 

[Argentinemanager]

This will be our bounce back game, watford are no mugs but i think we will be too good for them, play at as high a tempo as possible and we come away with a win. But cut the basic errors out for fck sake

 

[Shadota]

I can see this being a struggle to be honest. The squad is paper thin already, multiple players are having to play more than desired due to having no one available to replace them - anyone who would typically have the energy to drive us forward in a game like this will be absolutely knackered by now. And no reinforcements coming in yet means that those players are only going to get more tired, and more at risk of getting injured themselves.

Watford showed a lot of energy in the previous game against us, but not a significant amount of end product. If they can repeat the former, they will likely have a good chance to improve on the latter, as we might have to go defensive to try and gain a result.

I'd like to see another start for Brooks here. He made a decent cameo against Sunderland, and his dribbling ability may well be one of few promising outlets we have. He puts defenders on the back foot which is always nice to see.

 

[Harry's Game]

Will this be available on SUTV as with the Cardiff game?

 

[Stuart mitchell]

Can't see anything but another loss tbh.
we've ridden our luck lately but have been found out against better teams.
Fingers crossed we can at least get a playoff spot .!!

 

[Blacksea]

Going to be a toughie again given our woes,they are going to come at us with pace,and looks like they like to raid down the the wings and get crosses in from what they were doing at QPR,bonus for us is that they were garbage in defence so they lost.
No doubt they will have noted what happened at Sunderland and will be looking to act on it,so best cut out the daft mistakes,look after the ball better and get after them,can see a few goals going in here, something like the Coventry game

 

[HeySethUTB]

For me this game is about whether we can contain Giorgi Chakvetadze a very progressive runner with the ball who has a 50% (45 times, 3rd best in the division) take-on success rate.

Strangely Watford play the ball in a very similar manner to what we do and when looking at the playing data you’re seriously splitting hairs for most. However they do have a higher dependency on a couple of players (outwide) to make something happen. They aren’t as quick to recover loose balls (3rd worse in the division) as we are, probably due to how wide they make the pitch. Although Watford are fairly difficult to disposes, they tend to make a lot of individual control errors when in possession especially when moving forward with the ball or hurried and pressured.

Verdict it’s seriously uncanny how much of the underlying data is almost entirely the same. I reckon it’ll be a close affair, but only if we stop Watford ball carries into the the final third and our penalty area and press well as a unit, do that and Watford will continue to make the unforced errors that they’ve made this season. With our injuries I reckon it’ll be a stretch to prevent them from scoring 1-1

 

[JS Blade]

When we played Watford early doors they were a lot less positive than they are now but i didnt think we struggled with Chakvetadze too much.

But missing Vini coming across could tell a different story tomorrow.

Worst I've seen us suffer at right back was Sunderland at home. That Watson had Gilchrists number big time.

My main worry is Bayo having a birthday against Robinson.

UTB

 

[Jimmy Fleck]

Can't see anything but another loss tbh.
we've ridden our luck lately but have been found out against better teams.
Fingers crossed we can at least get a playoff spot .!!

Hardly found out at Sunderland- just completely shot ourselves in the foot- we’ll win tmrw.

 

[Cappy]

"Watford FC wishes to invite all Blades fans attending Vicarage Road tomorrow to raise their scarf aloft as the teams take to the field.

Hornets fans will be doing likewise for their annual 'Graham Taylor Matchday', paying tribute to their club's most successful manager.

The pre-match ritual also provides a poignant moment for fans of both teams to reflect and remember those who've died during the past year.

Hosts Watford report that this invite has been warmly received and engaged with by clubs who've visited in recent seasons such as Chesterfield, Blackpool and Middlesbrough.

The Vicarage Road big screens and PA system will offer a prompt to raise scarves ready for the teams to take to the field around 2.55pm tomorrow."

Sheffield United FC

The place to get all your Sheffield United news on the first team, academy and Sheffield United Women. Download the app via the App Store and Google Play Store

www.sufc.co.uk

 

[Keen Blade]

This will be our bounce back game, watford are no mugs but i think we will be too good for them, play at as high a tempo as possible and we come away with a win. But cut the basic errors out for fck sake

High tempo ?
Us ?
Have you seen us recently ?

 

[JayGreen17]

Feels like a bit of a must win this one given recent results and performances..

 

[3Cheers4Ramirez]

I think both teams will be happy with a draw and I think that's what it'll be. Probably 1-1

I'd be very tempted to try something different

Cooper
McCallum Gilchrist Anel Robinson Burrows
Brooks Davies Hamer
Moore Onè

Something like that. Would at least catch Watford by surprise. Could easily go 442 with McCallum LM

 

[ChipButtyBlade]

Booked 4 of our players at WBA for nowt infringements.

The score 1-0 to either team whoever scores first.

 

[SUFC Guy]

We just need to get through this game with a positive result. I don't care about the cup game - stick the kids in. Get through tomorrow and have at least 2 or 3 new signings in addition to the returning players for the Norwich game. After that, get another 3 or so players. We really must add numbers and strengthen with better players- no point in us adding bench warmers. I wouldn't be against some regular starters only getting bit parts for the rest of the season.

Think it will be.

Coops

Gilchrist Anel Robbo Burrows

Peck Davies

Brookes O'Hare Hamer

Brewster

 

[Isar]

An important game for us. Very much in need of the 3 points. Fingers crossed

 

[Rufus Smalls]

I think both teams will be happy with a draw and I think that's what it'll be. Probably 1-1

I'd be very tempted to try something different

Cooper
McCallum Gilchrist Anel Robinson Burrows
Brooks Davies Hamer
Moore Onè

Something like that. Would at least catch Watford by surprise. Could easily go 442 with McCallum LM

If our management team are going into this match with a “happy for a draw” then we have no ambition for an auto spot, given we have achieved 1 point from 9 recently.

Not saying we will win, but going into games with a draw mindset will get us nowhere.

 

[robbiez666]

Anything could happen here but I suspect there will be a few goals. Set up for Jebbo to score.

It's certainly not a must win game though.

 

[McGrath]

Watford seem like an utterly random team. Can turn up one week and hammer a top team can turn up next and get stuffed.

That makes me nervous. They've clearly got good players and some pace, which we don't like

 

[3Cheers4Ramirez]

Their attacking 3 of Chakvetadze, Baah and Bayo is strong. Better than what we'll be fielding. I was hoping it was just Chakvetadze but I watched the QPR game and Baah looked just as bright. Looking at his stats, he has 4 goals in 11 starts and 3 of those came against Leeds, Burnley and Boro

This is probably more than enough to make Wilder play defensively..... but hopefully not too defensively because we can't squeeze out a clean sheet anywhere near as reliably anymore. If we want to win we'll likely need to score at least 2

A different sort of line up from us could really catch them out here IMO and the least that should involve is Onè starting. From him, Brooks, Hamer and Brewster I think we can find those 2 goals

It'll be an interesting game, in the middle of the season that could go either way. Leeds and Burnley could both drop points too. It could swing in any direction today

 

[McGrath]

Their attacking 3 of Chakvetadze, Baah and Bayo is strong. Better than what we'll be fielding. I was hoping it was just Chakvetadze but I watched the QPR game and Baah looked just as bright. Looking at his stats, he has 4 goals in 11 starts and 3 of those came against Leeds, Burnley and Boro

This is probably more than enough to make Wilder play defensively..... but hopefully not too defensively because we can't squeeze out a clean sheet anywhere near as reliably anymore. If we want to win we'll likely need to score at least 2

A different sort of line up from us could really catch them out here IMO and the least that should involve is Onè starting. From him, Brooks, Hamer and Brewster I think we can find those 2 goals

It'll be an interesting game, in the middle of the season that could go either way. Leeds and Burnley could both drop points too. It could swing in any direction today

Are Chakvetadze, Baah and Bayo better than Hamer and O'Hare?

 

[Vass Borbokis]

Are Chakvetadze, Baah and Bayo better than Hamer and O'Hare?

Hamer is the pick of the bunch.
But I'd take Bayo over Moore any day and take one of their other two over O'Hare.

 

[CornwallBlade]

I think both teams will be happy with a draw and I think that's what it'll be. Probably 1-1

I'd be very tempted to try something different

Cooper
McCallum Gilchrist Anel Robinson Burrows
Brooks Davies Hamer
Moore Onè

Something like that. Would at least catch Watford by surprise. Could easily go 442 with McCallum LM

I simply can’t see the point in playing Moore without RS on the wing. We hardly put a cross in all game against Sunderland and he ain’t going to be getting in behind them for through balls down the channels like Campbell does. Even his hold up play is iffy so he doesn’t offer an outlet option…..

 

[petcharlie]

I think both teams will be happy with a draw and I think that's what it'll be. Probably 1-1

I'd be very tempted to try something different

Cooper
McCallum Gilchrist Anel Robinson Burrows
Brooks Davies Hamer
Moore Onè

Something like that. Would at least catch Watford by surprise. Could easily go 442 with McCallum LM

It would surprise a few Blades fans to with Moore leading our so called attack after is last show . Rather give Marsh a chance because lets face it not playing Moore would not weaken the team . It felt like we were playing with 10 men ,he brings sod all to the team .

 

[bakeblade]

Their attacking 3 of Chakvetadze, Baah and Bayo is strong. Better than what we'll be fielding. I was hoping it was just Chakvetadze but I watched the QPR game and Baah looked just as bright. Looking at his stats, he has 4 goals in 11 starts and 3 of those came against Leeds, Burnley and Boro

This is probably more than enough to make Wilder play defensively..... but hopefully not too defensively because we can't squeeze out a clean sheet anywhere near as reliably anymore. If we want to win we'll likely need to score at least 2

A different sort of line up from us could really catch them out here IMO and the least that should involve is Onè starting. From him, Brooks, Hamer and Brewster I think we can find those 2 goals

It'll be an interesting game, in the middle of the season that could go either way. Leeds and Burnley could both drop points too. It could swing in any direction today

After Sunderland CW will be scared of the Watford fast counter, they definitely have the players to hurt us.

 

[3Cheers4Ramirez]

I simply can’t see the point in playing Moore without RS on the wing. We hardly put a cross in all game against Sunderland and he ain’t going to be getting in behind them for through balls down the channels like Campbell does. Even his hold up play is iffy so he doesn’t offer an outlet option…..

I'd just be looking for him to scrap with the defenders a bit and make space for the rest of them, especially Onè

 

[Jimmy Fleck]

We can beat these

 

[Davalon]

A win would be huge all things considered.

I fear a 1-0 or 2-1 defeat though.

 

[sheff_blade90]

this period has always been about getting through it, tough match after tough match, with a stretched squad. as wilder says after today he expects 8 players back for norwich. which is ridiculous & the performances are there but the points arent. we deserve far more than the 1pt weve got from the last 3. & despite all the issue we were by far the better team we just gifted them 2 howlers

if we can win today. we will have got 17pts from what would be a tough 9 game spell even at full strength. if you had offered people 17pts after playing sunderland x2 WBA x2 Watford Millwall A & Burnley. im sure they wouldve been delighted