Vital we get a result at Watford

[tiger76]

Yes it's great getting 7 points from 9, but we did precisely that in February, winning at Brighton, beating Spurs, then getting a creditable point at Palace.

However we then proceeded to lose the next 4 without scoring, and we simply can't afford to hit the buffers again.

It's tremendous for morale that we're out of the bottom 3 at last, but we can't take the Watford game lightly, win it and Everton will face a 5 point gap when they step out to face Chelsea, and that's a tough ask to make up, equally lose it and all our recent good work will count for little, and we'll potentially face the prospect of playing catch-up again.

What worries me is our dire record against our fellow strugglers, and Watford is a game we need to win ideally, otherwise we'll hand the incentive to Everton once again.

Leeds could also get dragged in if they lose their next 2 and we go to Watford and emerge with maximum points.

So despite our recent upturn it's imperative we maintain focus and see the job through now.

Watford do have goals in them, but they have a shocking defence, and we can certainly get at their brittle backline.

[jdrobbo]

Play Jack Cork

[beddie]

We could do with Cornet being back. Despite their position they are a strong team, we’ll have to be at our best to get anything.

[pauliopaulio]

We’ve won and Everton lost. Watford got battered by City.

All the above are facts. The future is anyone’s guess. Jeez Louise just enjoy this feeling. The next game is anyone’s guess.

After today I am on Cloud Nine and not coming down until tomorrow. UTC!!!!!

[BurnleyFC]

It’s the hope that kills you. I feel sick just thinking about this game after the ups and downs of the last few weeks.

[RVclaret]

Hope Cornet is back fit for it. Missed his ability to stretch it in the first half especially.

[Neil]

Very much a "potential banana skin" but there's no chance of us taking the game lightly. Different feel to the team now and they must be full of confidence. Think there'll still be twists and turns til the end of the season with unexpected points being won by all the teams in the mix. Really hope Palace get three points tomorrow as Leeds have probably the worst run. If we can overtake Leeds after the Watford game I'll be very confident.

[Murger]

Be interesting to see how he sets up if Cornet is back. It'd be harsh to drop Vydra.

[bumba]

Be interesting to see how he sets up if Cornet is back. It'd be harsh to drop Vydra.

Easy decision for me, JRod and Vydra both on the bench Cornet and Barnes to start. Vydra first choice sub

[Billyblah]

Barnes to start? Bumba we ideally need to beat Watford!!

[Papabendi]

I'd be looking at playing Vydra v his former club

[Lancasterclaret]

Win at Watford and Everton go into their game at Chelsea five points behind with six games left

That is going to be some mountain for them to climb from there

[box_of_frogs]

Easy decision for me, JRod and Vydra both on the bench Cornet and Barnes to start. Vydra first choice sub

Barnes to start?! WTAF?

[RVclaret]

If Cornet is fit then it’s just back to the Southampton 11. Vydra scored but was a bit off it in general. Jay back up top with WW and Cornet left.

[BabylonClaret]

Yep we need a result definitely to maintain the momentum and keep the pressure on our rivals.

But two differences from post Palace (aside from the obvious one about the manager which may or.may not be a factor in terms of getting the result we need) are:

- our games following Palace were a tricky run of fixtures
- we lost Ben Mee half way through that first game and was difficult for us to adjust - Collins looks far far more settled now

[Vegas Claret]

Same team as today please

[tiger76]

Win at Watford and Everton go into their game at Chelsea five points behind with six games left

That is going to be some mountain for them to climb from there

Exactly you'd always rather have the points on the board in this scenario, and the fact we play before Everton again is important, we could really increase the pressure on them before they play Chelsea, and as yet they haven't experienced what it's like to play catch-up, or be in the bottom 3, Lampard will no doubt deny it, but that will be gnawing away with their fanbase I have no doubts.

Just one correction LC, they actually play Everton at Goodison, and that could be important, as their home form hasn't been too shabby, whereas away they are in danger of not bettering our 7 point haul back in 16/17 when we managed a meagre 7 points on the road.

[DCWat]

Having a quick view of the Watford forum, it seems that they’d like us to stay up and Everton to go down. They’re expecting defeats in both.

Yet another afternoon of nail biting, next weekend.

[tiger76]

Having a quick view of the Watford forum, it seems that they’d like us to stay up and Everton to go down. They’re expecting defeats in both.

Yet another afternoon of nail biting, next weekend.

I'm surprised anyone still has nails left after today.

[taio]

I wouldn't be despondent if we got a point.

[gandhisflipflop]

Having a quick view of the Watford forum, it seems that they’d like us to stay up and Everton to go down. They’re expecting defeats in both.

Yet another afternoon of nail biting, next weekend.

They’ll still be salty over Marco Silva

[RVclaret]

Same team as today please

Didn’t really feel Jay / Vydra on the left worked. All our best play came down our right. Cornet changes this so is a shoe in if fit, wouldn’t you agree?

[taio]

Didn’t really feel Jay / Vydra on the left worked. All our best play came down our right. Cornet changes this so is a shoe in if fit, wouldn’t you agree?

Agree that we looked a little imbalanced down the left and were dangerous from the right especially first half.

[leelad]

Not getting too worked up about the Watford game. We have belief and momentum now. We have a team which is united again (on and off the pitch) and the way that the players put their bodies on the line in the 2nd half was outstanding. If we carry on this performance into the Watford game, we should have too much for them. Just listened to Dwight's post match interview and he is talking about having freedom again. Another player to say this. He knows how to track back and defend but more importantly he has the licence to go forward now and show his qualities. And finally, look at the reaction from the backroom team at the end of today's game. I do think that the club (from top to bottom) are all in this together with the common goal of staying in the Premier League. UTC.

[burnleymik]

I'd leave Vydra and Wout up top, keep Dwight on the right and Cornet left. A little harsh on Jay, but it's another must win game.

[clarethomer]

I think 38 pts will be enough but hoping we can get to 40.

If 38 is going to be enough, it would be good to come away from villa game just needing 1 pt.

[Yeovil1951]

The good thing is we now only play one game a week until the Villa game on the Thursday before the last weekend of the season , I don't know why its a Thursday and not the Wednesday

[TonbridgeClaret]

I'd leave Vydra and Wout up top, keep Dwight on the right and Cornet left. A little harsh on Jay, but it's another must win game.

I agree. I felt sorry for Vydra today, he should be up front with WW, that's where we'll get the best out of him.

[DCWat]

I'm surprised anyone still has nails left after today.

I’m hoping for a bit of growth between now and then, so that I’ve something to go at!!

[Lancasterclaret]

Win at Watford and I really don't see how we don't stay up

[Vegas Claret]

Didn’t really feel Jay / Vydra on the left worked. All our best play came down our right. Cornet changes this so is a shoe in if fit, wouldn’t you agree?

probably but I'm not a fan of changing a winning team. I'm sure Jackson will figure out what's best to get us the win we need

[kentonclaret]

3 games played against Norwich and Watford this season under Dyche and we haven't even scored a goal let alone get a victory and 3 points.

As the OP has said vital that all changes next weekend and we can find the back of the net and collect the 3 Vital points.

[ElectroClaret]

Win at Watford and I really don't see how we don't stay up

Would tend to agree with that.

[AfloatinClaret]

3 games played against Norwich and Watford this season and we haven't even scored a goal let alone get a victory and 3 points.

Possibly the worst statistic of our poor season; those two clubs deserve to go down and have looked like it from the very start, but we've taken just two points from nine; how much more comfortable would thinks be now if we'd even just won our home games and drawn away against them?

[bobinho]

Yes it's great getting 7 points from 9, but we did precisely that in February, winning at Brighton, beating Spurs, then getting a creditable point at Palace.

We did that, and then due to poor tactics, poor team selection, poor team talk, poor ( insert whatever ya want here) we went to Norwich and got absolutely mullered once the manager could
return to his desired starting 11 and the “framework”.

A blind man on a galloping horse can see the difference in the players now.

We were absolutely relegated a few weeks ago… the only saving grace was that we had a manager in charge with the experience of getting a team promoted.

God Knows what’s happened but we are now in with a chance of not going down at all!!!!

[Quickenthetempo]

It was a bit hectic today at times with mistakes a plenty.

The front 4 were all over changing positions but we only had a couple of days to plan for today and even then Cornet failed a last minute fitness test at Gawthorpe.

We now have a full week's planning for Watford. Not quite happening for Jay Rod at the minute so I would bench him. If Cornet comes back on the left and Vydra up top then Watford will defend deeper, which is great for WW.
If Lennon comes on it has to be on the right. Like a fish out of water on the left.

[NewClaret]

Play Jack Cork

What a difference he makes. So many times today he played it on the grass and simple where Westy would have smashed it.

Hate to say it, but we’d be safe now had he played all season.