I’ve seen some pretty poor cup displays in recent years but this wasn’t one of them, I found the game quite entertaining. We were not at our best but still showed signs of real promise

I thought Swindon were a very decent side, played some really nice football always looking to pass from the back and even when they were losing they didn’t panic. They were a lot better than many championship sides I’ve seen in the last year.

After we got the 1st goal they were by far the better team for the last 25 minutes and had some great chances to finish us off but we did well to survive that and we then dominated extra time. The second equaliser came when we had control of the ball and they looked shattered but Henry went for a ridiculous long range shot which was blocked and they broke and scored.

Agains Leeds the crowd gave Gladwin a lot of stick for not getting across to his man but that seems to be a tactic. Several times last night they had men over out wider and when the wide players went across they were being screamed at by Onouha in particular to get more narrow. Several times they took advantage and got round the outside of us. I’m guessing we are trying to be hard to break through in the middle but better teams would have punished us.

I thought Washington was very poor in the first half, he was slow to react to several very good chances which seemed to pass him by and he lost the ball far too often. He looked a lot more of a threat when he went wide in the second half but the goal will hopefully do him some good. He can't keep living off the can't play on his own up front excuse.

Of the new players Cousins looked a very good player, not seen a player like him for a long time at QPR with so much energy in midfield. He did give away a lot of daft fouls but that’s something which can be improved. Lynch had an average game and seemed to be struggling with injury for most of it. Furlong was good at right back, I think he’s put himself in with a chance of being around the squad this season. Shodipo again looked bright but very raw. Kpewka didn’t look comfortable at centre half and I think he’ll end up leaving on loan this season.

Ingrham had a very good game in goal, made one mess up when he got caught on the ball but made several very good saves and was brilliant in the shoot out.

The new French winger Yenni looked a very decent player, a lot of pace and strength on the right. He went close with a screamer from distance and created a few very decent chances, can also take a good corner which we’ll soon knock out of him.

One positive was the way every member of the team celebrated the goals all making a point of celebrating as a team.

I don’t think I’d ever seen us win a penalty shoot out before as well so that was a real bonus and something many people missed as a lot assumed the game was over at 90 minutes and went home. One bloke stood shouting how crap we were before shouting at his mate to leave who pointed out it was extra time so he sat down feeling and looking a bit daft.

We’ve a lot of flaws in the team and I think that will be exposed at times this season but it’s a hungry group of players giving their all for each other and the shirt which was great to see.

1

Montero made the difference for me when he came on - makes no sense to have him on the bench he should be a certain starter next week. Llorente offered us something up front and he was unlucky not to score but well done Fer for being in the right place to follow up . Great start to the season and one that we should now build on

1

Two points lost through a systems failure. Pull out!

4

Why don't we sell JWP? He is never going to be any good in the prem. To lightweight, to slow and cant tackle.

4

Bloody big hole in the middle of the diamond. We will get tortured by decent side. Have to reserve judgement until Fonte and Bertrand back. JWP just not up to it. Must buy a striker, so miss Pelle in games like this.

3

On the plus side Hojbjerg looks a great buy, and Redmond and Pied both had good games. Tadic is also looking sharp but we lacked any cutting edge first half. With Fonte and Bertrand back we'll go again.

3

Agree with all the pessimissim but it's still are first game Jayrod never got on the park and CA had very few minuets let us hope that in the future we can do much, much, better

0

It wasn't the system that let us down it was the old problem of a right back Soares who can't defend and cost us a goal. He made countless errors and should not have started. Sell him quickly!
Why didn't hojbjerk start? He has been excellent in pre season training. Was Fonte not playing because soon he will not be a Saint?

1

Losing the physical presence and height of Pelle and Wanyama is one thing, but witout Fonte, Bertannd, even Martina,and Cedric being knee high to a grasshopper , a big team like Watford will always cause problems.
I hope it,s not SnowWhite at The Mayflower at Xmas, or 7 of them might be missing

2

First half I really thought the four-year war of attrition on our defence and defensive midfiled was having an effect at last - every Watford player looked a foot taller, a yard faster and twice as wide. It was really scarey, and Capoue was immense - sign the fcker now!

As it turned out we grew into the game and looked competent and even quite tasty in the second half. I thought Tadic was outstanding - this could be his season. Agree with Nick's report that Austin should have come on a lot earlier and that we HAVE to replace Yosh ASAP. Pied looked great.

ON that performance I can't see 5th place this year yet, but we definitely won't go down :oD

0