Mon Dec 29, 2014 12:09 pm
So why didn't Slade react?
I was embarrassed yesterday for the players and supporters. From the kick off it looked obvious that the team was set up incorrectly, the Watford midfield had too much time on the ball and we needed width to get the ball out wide and swing it in. We needed to keep their midfield busy defending but all they had to do was wait for the ball to be lost and then counter attack time and time again. According to WOL we controlled the first ½ hour but this to anybody at the game is a laugh. We looked clueless from the kick off.
We played the ball to Brayford who could do nothing but put balls over the top and immediately give the ball back to Watford as we were too narrow and there was nobody in front of him, when we got the ball in the midfield we were outfought and lost the ball there also. KJ may as well not been on the field as he need the ball coming in from the wings not down the middle. It shouldn’t come as too much of a shock to see our possession stats where they are then and without the ball you can’t even compete let alone win games.
When we scored I thought to myself we would need to score at least 3 or even 4 just to get a point as Watford were given way too much ball and to be fair to them there ball retention and passing was very good, ours was awful. It was awful though due to the formation and we had no avenue open to attack Watford. Possibly the worst thing was for us to score as Slade thought we could defend the lead and didn’t look to change things that to everybody else in the ground looked bloody obvious. Our players looked league 1 at best, the Watford players looked comfortable and at times there passing cut us to shreds and we were just chasing shadows, it was embarrassing.
It’s easy to criticise after the game but all around the ground people were screaming for Slade to change the formation and maybe due to his lack of top flight experience he has never come up against a team that passed and moved as well as Watford did yesterday, League One football is more direct as the players don’t have the skill levels that you see in the top two divisions and our worryingly our players are starting to look like League One players under his formations.
Slade was a gamble but it’s clear why he’s never managed in the Championship, maybe he is missing his number 2? Whatever the reason if we carry on with Slade we will soon be playing in his comfort zone of League One.
Slade has to go before it’s too late. Will VT make this call? I doubt it, with Slade resign, I doubt that also.
Worrying times ahead I’m afraid.