Just not good enough in my opinion

Steve Morison on substituting Watters: ‘I've just got to use my words correctly this time or I will get annihilated. He just wasn't good enough. Is he upset? Yes. Do I want him to be upset? Yes. Does he need to realise what it takes to be a Championship striker? Yes.’

You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.

Got to be honest, a group of six of us were all crying out for Watters to be taken off after 15 minutes.

He wasn’t running for the ball or, more importantly, closing down the opposition.

Watters was the same against Barnsley. Morison was absolutely right to take him off, the difference Hugill made to the whole team was huge.

A brave decision but absolutely right in my opinion.

Agree. Coventry are a good footballing side and Whilst Davies was chasing and closing down, Watters was doing the same legwork. They were walking the ball out of their defence for most of the 1st half.

We went on to win the game, so I think the manager can claim his decision justified. I criticised the decision at the time, and still think it could have been managed better, but we went on to win the game.

Overall though I really like Watters. He's fast and has very sharp movement. His record shows he also has an eye for goal. He does need to work on his intensity, but that will come with experience. In the victory vs Barnsley I thought he linked really well with Hugil, and would like to see more of that.

Whilst there is room for improvement, I feel like we should (as fans) be picking these players up, and encouraging them.

He probably isn’t good enough, but he looked better a couple of weeks ago with Hugill as his partner and a midfield of Ralls, Doyle and Wintle. Tonight he was alongside Isaak Davies and only had Vaulks and King in midfield to supply him. He needs another couple of chances with the best players before we write him off.

Steve Morison on substituting Watters: ‘I've just got to use my words correctly this time or I will get annihilated. He just wasn't good enough. Is he upset? Yes. Do I want him to be upset? Yes. Does he need to realise what it takes to be a Championship striker? Yes.’

I think these comments are fair and not too critical. Hopefully Watters bounces back strongly, like Davies seems to have done. The reality is Championship football is hard, and Morison is just being honest with his players, and demanding from them what is expected to succeed at this level. It will be an eye opener for a lot of the players, but hopefully they will learn quickly and become better because of it.

Morison made the right call in taking off Watters. As soon as Hugill came on you could see the difference straight away.
Morison made the wrong call in picking Watters to start. Was really surprised to see his name on the team sheet before the game. I was surprised Uche didn’t start, if he wanted to rest Hugill.

Morison is ruthless. He wants the job full time.
Max needs to watch and learn.
I won't be slagging him off. I hope he knuckles done.
There is potential there.

Morison did what needed to be done tonight but I hope Watters does learn from this because at times there does look to be a player in there, but not a target man and on the evidence tonight not a player who enjoys the high press aspect. But he is only 22 years of age with less than a handful of starts in the Championship.

As you say he needs to knuckle down and watch, listen and learn because it's far to early to write him off in my opinion.

Agree with you Both

My opinion not good enough at Championship level.

Watch out, we are not allowed opinions as it’s a dictatorship by the usual suspects


I agree, lower league.

You're allowed your opinion that he's not good enough and people are allowed to disagree with that. That is not a dictatorship. That's discussion and is the point of the forum. Or do you only want people to respond if they agree with you?

My opinion not good enough at Championship level.

Watch out, we are not allowed opinions as it’s a dictatorship by the usual suspects


I agree, lower league.

You're allowed your opinion that he's not good enough and people are allowed to disagree with that. That is not a dictatorship. That's discussion and is the point of the forum. Or do you only want people to respond if they agree with you?

It is when your immediately told to not put it out and stop being negative.

That’s why I deleted, as I won’t be told to not put out what I feel and saw.

Plus all the media said most of it and the fans many thought the same.

When your told to not put it up, that’s trying to be a Dictatorship, not a view.

A view / opinion is to say your opinion regarding Watters etc

Waters was not doing what Morison wanted and paid the price.Correct decision.Doesn’t mean he isn’t going to be good enough in the future.
Bagan was written off not so long ago ………………….

Give Morison a contract now

I’m not really sure how you can write off a young player who’s not really been given much of a chance already. His movement is brilliant as seen with his second chance today, yes he didn’t close down once or twice. Also didn’t help that his strike partner was Davies with all the hoofs upfield towards them, they are never going to thrive off that. And he wasn’t the worst player for us in that first half, Davies had a very poor game today I thought.
His goal scoring record so far speaks for itself so he knows where the goal is, whether it be at a lower league or not. Let the lad at least have a good run playing before writing him off saying he’s not good enough.

As good a summary as is needed to be honest. The guy had two shots on goal, should really have done better with the first though. The blame lies in the managers selection imo and then the tactics we employed. Watters needs to take it on the chin and keep working though

His closing down and hold up play need improving quickly He does however get in some good goal scoring position His 2nd effort was saved by the keepers head who had no clue what happened It was a decent effort and good movement

Thought it was very harsh on Watters. Overall, City were pretty bad but watters was unlucky not to have scored. Brilliant movement for the second chance and only saved by moores face. I didnt agree with how morison treated Davies during the Bournemouth game but he's come back much better since. Hoping this is a bit of tough love from morison and a harsh lesson for watters to learn.

I didn't expect Davies and watters to work. We are not going to suddenly start playing through teams so we still need an outlet. I think he'd have a much better game playing off hugill or Uche. But I wouldnt be taking Davies out the team anytime soon.

Hes got a better goal scoring record than Harris and Harris has been given loads of chances. I'm still not writing watters off.

For me Max Watters has to improve a lot in all areas of his play to
Make a Championship striker.

Watters is 23 years old in a couple of weeks, Noe’s the time this season to shine if he to become our main striker next season.

For me Max Watters has to improve a lot in all areas of his play to
Make a Championship striker.

Watters is 23 years old in a couple of weeks, Noe’s the time this season to shine if he to become our main striker next season.

I agree. At 23 he's not really a youngster but if, as others claim, he is a natural goalscorer then the other things he needs to add to his game like workrate and hold up play can be improved upon but he is running out of time to prove himself at this level.

Morison was right to bring him back from loan to have another look at him but, at the moment, he's not doing much to prove to the manager that he has a future here. In his position last night, after being left out for a few games, he should have been busting a gut to prove himself ................... he didn't.

He is at a crossroads, he either makes the improvements Morison is demanding or he'll be moved on.

Isaak Davies is vastly improved since Morison had words, so too Bagan. Even Harris, who I still have concerns over, looked eager to prove himself last night and provided a spark and well taken goal when he came on.

This is going to be Morison's style, he'll tell you where he wants you to improve, he'll give you a chance, but if you don't improve you'll be gone. Worked with most up to now but there will be causalities, nothing wrong with that in my mind.

I think tactically it was the right thing to do, but I do feel he was a bit harsh on the player, yes it's a man's sport but he is only 22 and learning the game, lets hope he can bounce back and that his confidence isn't shattered?

I think he needs a bit of media training on what to say in interviews, straight talk might be great in the dressing room, but negative comments about players live on TV can cause a manager a lot of problems, most experienced managers are trained to talk positively to the media, while dealing with poor performance in private with the individual.

But overall well done, the substitutions changed the game

For me Max Watters has to improve a lot in all areas of his play to
Make a Championship striker.

Watters is 23 years old in a couple of weeks, Noe’s the time this season to shine if he to become our main striker next season.

I agree. At 23 he's not really a youngster but if, as others claim, he is a natural goalscorer then the other things he needs to add to his game like workrate and hold up play can be improved upon but he is running out of time to prove himself at this level.

Morison was right to bring him back from loan to have another look at him but, at the moment, he's not doing much to prove to the manager that he has a future here. In his position last night, after being left out for a few games, he should have been busting a gut to prove himself ................... he didn't.

He is at a crossroads, he either makes the improvements Morison is demanding or he'll be moved on.

Isaak Davies is vastly improved since Morison had words, so too Bagan. Even Harris, who I still have concerns over, looked eager to prove himself last night and provided a spark and well taken goal when he came on.

This is going to be Morison's style, he'll tell you where he wants you to improve, he'll give you a chance, but if you don't improve you'll be gone. Worked with most up to now but there will be causalities, nothing wrong with that in my mind.

I have to agree with you on all accounts and if Watters is 23, that means he's 24 next month and def not a kid, prime time for players.
He shines in the lower leagues, Championship massive step up and I hope he proves me wrong, but at this moment in time I dont see him making it.


Mark Harris, this is Harris 6th season with us and failed under all previous managers.
I say he is a great 15-20 min sub and I also believe hes not for us next season, but he's cheap and that will be why he is kept on.


James Collins, past his sell by date as I said when he arrived, shined in the lower leagues, scored 10 goals in Championship for Luton, mainly penalties. Luton fans loved him through the lower leagues, but they themselves said his best days were then.
3 goals in 29 appearances for us and missed loads of opportunities in front of goal, gives 110% though.


I think we will need a good striker next season, unless in these remaining games Isaak Davies comes very good (1 goal /16 appearances so far).

Anything can change in these remaining games, as now we are starting to look safe, the players can relax a bit more and hopefully the best comes out of them all

I’m not really sure how you can write off a young player who’s not really been given much of a chance already. His movement is brilliant as seen with his second chance today, yes he didn’t close down once or twice. Also didn’t help that his strike partner was Davies with all the hoofs upfield towards them, they are never going to thrive off that. And he wasn’t the worst player for us in that first half, Davies had a very poor game today I thought.
His goal scoring record so far speaks for itself so he knows where the goal is, whether it be at a lower league or not. Let the lad at least have a good run playing before writing him off saying he’s not good enough.

As good a summary as is needed to be honest. The guy had two shots on goal, should really have done better with the first though. The blame lies in the managers selection imo and then the tactics we employed. Watters needs to take it on the chin and keep working though

Tactics were not working because I feel Watters was not doing what he was expected to do and that was to chase down their backline when they played it at the back. Hull were allowed to control the game at the back as they were not pressed at all. That advantage seem to disappear after the substitution.

I’m not really sure how you can write off a young player who’s not really been given much of a chance already. His movement is brilliant as seen with his second chance today, yes he didn’t close down once or twice. Also didn’t help that his strike partner was Davies with all the hoofs upfield towards them, they are never going to thrive off that. And he wasn’t the worst player for us in that first half, Davies had a very poor game today I thought.
His goal scoring record so far speaks for itself so he knows where the goal is, whether it be at a lower league or not. Let the lad at least have a good run playing before writing him off saying he’s not good enough.

As good a summary as is needed to be honest. The guy had two shots on goal, should really have done better with the first though. The blame lies in the managers selection imo and then the tactics we employed. Watters needs to take it on the chin and keep working though

Tactics were not working because I feel Watters was not doing what he was expected to do and that was to chase down their backline when they played it at the back. Hull were allowed to control the game at the back as they were not pressed at all. That advantage seem to disappear after the substitution.

Yeah you are right, that first half was awful but by bringing him off before HT the manager is putting the blame on watters, just my opinion but that's a little harsh when Davies was just the same. It seemed reactionary l, but ultimately we won the game so it doesn't matter.

I'm not giving up on watters like some here are though, he's 22 and a goal threat for sure, hopefully he responds positively. If he had Harris' effort and desire he'd be starting a lot more games. Still time for him

I’m not really sure how you can write off a young player who’s not really been given much of a chance already. His movement is brilliant as seen with his second chance today, yes he didn’t close down once or twice. Also didn’t help that his strike partner was Davies with all the hoofs upfield towards them, they are never going to thrive off that. And he wasn’t the worst player for us in that first half, Davies had a very poor game today I thought.
His goal scoring record so far speaks for itself so he knows where the goal is, whether it be at a lower league or not. Let the lad at least have a good run playing before writing him off saying he’s not good enough.

As good a summary as is needed to be honest. The guy had two shots on goal, should really have done better with the first though. The blame lies in the managers selection imo and then the tactics we employed. Watters needs to take it on the chin and keep working though

Tactics were not working because I feel Watters was not doing what he was expected to do and that was to chase down their backline when they played it at the back. Hull were allowed to control the game at the back as they were not pressed at all. That advantage seem to disappear after the substitution.

Yeah you are right, that first half was awful but by bringing him off before HT the manager is putting the blame on watters, just my opinion but that's a little harsh when Davies was just the same. It seemed reactionary l, but ultimately we won the game so it doesn't matter.

I'm not giving up on watters like some here are though, he's 22 and a goal threat for sure, hopefully he responds positively. If he had Harris' effort and desire he'd be starting a lot more games. Still time for him

Yes it came over harsh because Davies was not exactly doing it as well. Then again what was Davies orders.

Morison made the right call in taking off Watters. As soon as Hugill came on you could see the difference straight away.
Morison made the wrong call in picking Watters to start. Was really surprised to see his name on the team sheet before the game. I was surprised Uche didn’t start, if he wanted to rest Hugill.

100% agree with all that. Uche should have started and (with hindsight) Hugill may have been fresher for Saturday.
Possibly Uche to start v Blackpool?

Watters wasn’t great but then why did he start? A partnership of Watters and Davies seemed strange, particularly when the option was available to pair one of them with Hugill, Uche and Collins. It also doesn’t help a player, who likes to play on the shoulder, that Morison selected a negative midfield behind him.

What annoys me is Morison has thrown him under the bus. He hasn’t taken any responsibility at all for his poor initial team selection and then makes no effort to protect Watters in interviews afterwards. By all means have a go at him behind closed doors but don’t do it to a young player, lacking confidence, in public. Again, he only seems to do this to the younger players. He hasn’t done it to any senior pros, when they’ve been appalling.

It’s not so bad if it’s an isolated incident but this is the third time he’s done this in just a few months, to 3 different players, and he never holds his hands up himself. I might be getting too sensitive in my old age but I think he can deal with it better. It might work initially but you can’t keep doing this again and again without accepting the blame yourself. There’s a reason why top managers don’t do this very often, and if you do have to keep doing it then you’re obviously at fault as well.

I do like a Morison. He’s looks to have potential, and has done a lot of good things, but the way he deals with this is unnecessary. We only looked good last night when he put players on who should have started in the first place.

Personally think it was unfair on Watters

He had two on target ,making runs

Yes the change did affect the game we will never know if Watters would of scored

Harsh

I think the team selection was spot on.If we start the same eleven week in week out our best players would soon be on the treatment table more than the pitch.Any succesful club has a squad thats interchangeble but some of our players are not quite there yet.A vital part of Morisons plan seems to be an energetic high press of which the front two are an integral part.Hugil,Davies and Harris fit that bill but Watters and more interestingly so does Collwil have a way to go yet.Coventry were so comfortable playing out they were allowed to dominate the first half but after Morison made that call the game changed.I for one am so glad we've got a manager that doesn't want to wait until we're one nil down to make a change.

If that change was not made we would have lost that Coventry defenders had Waters in their pockets as soon as the sub was made their defenders knew they were in a game , great management by Morrison 3 points because of a brave manager .

Waters has a lot of proving to do he looks way off in the championship

He’s a cross between bothroyd and chopra

What I mean by that is he is a lazy striker like bothroyd won’t win headers or close down but an absolute fox around the area where he comes alive

We can credit morison for bringing him off and changing the game but Likewise anyone with a brain could also see that lumping balls for 36 minutes to Davies and Watters was not going to work so we have to question the managers original team selection not so much Watters/Davies but the midfield of caulks and king who both done nothing in 35 minutes every ball sideways or backwards and I think king had two touches

If your starting Watters/Davies you simply have to play ralls/Doyle

Watters showed what he will do in the box for his headed effort and the run off the shoulder where he was unlucky not to score, don’t sit here saying the guy ain’t good enough when we absolutely played the wrong midfield to bring out his qualities in this match as another poster said it may work we’ll hugill and Watters when balls are lumped but for me he won’t do well here purely because we don’t play his game, we might do more on the floor now but we still play more long Ariel balls than most sides which does not suit Watters at all, he would have a field day in that Fulham team for sure

He’s a cross between bothroyd and chopra

What I mean by that is he is a lazy striker like bothroyd won’t win headers or close down but an absolute fox around the area where he comes alive

We can credit morison for bringing him off and changing the game but Likewise anyone with a brain could also see that lumping balls for 36 minutes to Davies and Watters was not going to work so we have to question the managers original team selection not so much Watters/Davies but the midfield of caulks and king who both done nothing in 35 minutes every ball sideways or backwards and I think king had two touches

If your starting Watters/Davies you simply have to play ralls/Doyle

Watters showed what he will do in the box for his headed effort and the run off the shoulder where he was unlucky not to score, don’t sit here saying the guy ain’t good enough when we absolutely played the wrong midfield to bring out his qualities in this match as another poster said it may work we’ll hugill and Watters when balls are lumped but for me he won’t do well here purely because we don’t play his game, we might do more on the floor now but we still play more long Ariel balls than most sides which does not suit Watters at all, he would have a field day in that Fulham team for sure

I can see where you’re coming from but the problem is that Watters wasn’t making any runs (short or behind) so the only “out” ball was a long ball from wide or the back 3 as he wasn’t stretching the defenders.

He made one run, was found and nearly scored but that isn’t enough when Morison has set the whole shape up to depend on closing down defenders by the front two. He didn’t do it, even after being told by the coaching staff frequently from the touch line.

How many times did Hugill take the ball down on his chest when he came on ? That same midfield you criticise were playing the same balls, just Hugill had the skill to kill it and bring others into the game.

I just don’t think Watters can absolve himself of blame by acting all hurt and disappointed.