You have read the reports, seen the comedy goals on SSN, so there is little I want to add, and chances are no one wants to be reminded of the debacle that this game turned into. Yes, it was as bad as that. I had to miss the Blackpool game so I can’t compare that to last night, but this was certainly the worst performance by United this season – by a long way.
In brief painful summary, United had the better of the first twenty minutes, Morgan & Nosworthy looked solid as Hornets went long. Harper swung in two good corners Loach saved well from Morgan, Watford gradually getting Cleverley more involved. Stewart continued the nightmare from the Baggies game, Cleverly hit a post from a 25 yard free kick that wasn’t then Morgs got a knock in the ribs, and stayed down.
From a bouncing throw in, Morgan still in pain leaves for Bunn and Cleverley nodded in …slowly. Morgan replaced by Fortune. Ward looking off the pace.
Half time came with Cleverley beginning to run the show.
Second half. Too painful even to summarise.
Glouc’s View
I was disappointed with the performance at WBA last Saturday, but given that Baggies still have many players who were playing in the Premiership last season and that they are certainties to go back there shortly, I put it down to simply being outlayed by a much better side. No such excuse for the debacle that we had to sit through last night. Watford are a very ordinary side, competitive and hard working, but typical of the poor standard in the Championship this season.
The game had struggled along for 40 minutes of the first half then Morgan had to go off and everything collapsed from that point. For the first time in a very long time heads went down. United looked like a team of strangers who had just met up on the team coach. It was clear to see Watfords game plan, get Cleverley on the ball. The kid has great skill but United’s midfield never got near him to stop him playing.
Some of the kamikaze defending in the second half was horrific, but then without Morgan, Killa, Naysmith and Walker / Naughton what can we expect? Stewart at left back must surely be replaced by Kallio on Saturday.
United’s mid-field had no impact on the game whatsoever, and provided the front men with very little. Cresswell chased everything but that was usually miss hit or over hit hopefull balls in his general direction.
The fantastic travelling Blades fans who sang all night summed it up when, with a few minutes left, Quinn had a weak effort saved by Loach ‘We got a shot on target!’ chanted those who braved it to the end.
Some big changes needed in organisation, attitude and players for Saturday when Hulse & co. arrvive full of confidence after sorting Forest out !
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