Watford Report Card

By: Dr Fishy
Date: 22/10/2001

DR FISHY has compiled match statistics and a report card for the side that lost 3-0 at home to Watford. The Dr concludes that Town must get better or face the consequences (left)!

Coyne: He made a couple of vital saves to keep the scoreline respectable as every part of his game kept him as good as he's been all season. Some have labelled him at fault for the second goal but I don't think he really had any choice but to come for the ball and he was always going to be second favourite to it.

Grade: C+

Neilson: He looked uncomfortable to begin with but gradually settled in, until the first goal went in. It was maybe a bit of slack marking on Neilsen's part for allowing Hyde to shoot at the open goal, but after that it all went downhill. He left Stephan Glass bags of room on Watford's left and never looked like closing him down.

Grade: C-

Gallimore: The left back had quite a good game but again someone had to be blamed for their third goal and I'm afraid it was Gally's lack of anticipation, which let Hyde sneak in at the far post. Then again, Watford shouldn't have had the chance to create the opportunity. He continues to punt aimless balls down the line to our immense and strong strikers.

Grade: C

Broomes: His record since his two loan periods began is rather dismal but he was unlucky to be included in a defence that leaked three goals on Saturday. His defensive play was decent enough and he brought the ball out like Handyside. He was, at one point, our most creative player when he ventured forward.

Grade: B-

Groves: It's back to the league and you would think the Captain had never played alongside Broomes before in his life. It seems Groves is at his worst when he tries to contain strikers with power and pace. So how did he keep Heskey at bay in the Cup? It's a pity that over the years, Groves has been one of our most consistent performers but this season he is very inconsistent.

Grade: C-

Campbell: Switched back out to the left and didn't have a very good game, mainly due to the fact that Town played with no width whatsoever and the poor lad stood on his own for 90 minutes. He did burst through the centre of Watford's midfield once but apart from that there's nothing else to report on.

Grade: C-

Pouton: He is now really beginning to show signs of tiredness. He doesn't look like he's got the energy to take players on any more and he really needs to improve his passing. He was taken off at half time probably due to tiredness or maybe an injury he may have picked up.

Grade: C-

Butterfield: He may have come under a bit of criticism this season but he wasn't all that bad on Saturday. It's not really his fault either. If he actually got the ball at his feet he may be able to do something with it but I reckon he, Willems and Campbell must have seen the ball about twice the whole match. The minute Town stop bypassing midfield Danny may be able to show us something.

Grade: C

Willems: He didn't make a great come back from injury and this was another lacklustre performance from the Dutchman. It's understandable, as Coldicott gets reserve games to regain fitness whereas Willems gets thrown straight into the first team after three weeks out. Obviously not ready for first team football yet.

Grade: C-

Jevons: Yes, OK, so he scored a wonder goal at Liverpool and won us the tie, but since he hasn't really done a lot to mention. He had a poor game at Sheff Utd and followed that up with an even poorer performance against Watford. You'd think he'd have gained some confidence after hitting the winner at Anfield, but no. Nice finish early on, but he was offside.

Grade: C-

Rowan: I suppose it wasn't going to take long for his initial enthusiasm would wear off. He's now given up closing the keeper down after a back pass and is becoming slower. I think this is another player who desperately needs a rest and can't cope playing two games a week.

Grade: C-

SUBS

Boulding: He replaced Pouton at half time and played down the left and Campbell switched to the right. His pace again caused the defence some problems but again he didn't have the support he needs. He really needs a big, strong midfielder or forward to run off and create.

Grade: C

Allen: I didn't see him do much when he came on. I think he had a shot but that was about it. Despite being small he does hold the ball up better than Rowan or Jevons.

Chapman: Gave the team some much needed pace as everyone else seemed to be totally exhausted. Didn't do much either, but to be fair the pair didn't really have time to make a mark on the game.

Best part of Town's performance: N/A

Areas for improvement: To eradicate silly mistakes at the back and tighten up the sloppiness in defence. To use the midfield. To pass. To perform better.

Entertainment scale: People may complain about the performance but it was better than the Rotherham game. Town had more shots on goal and had a few opportunities to score, but unfortunately they didn't. We worked the opposing keeper for once, who, in the past, had only been required to deal with back-passes and catches. 4

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