It was an early start for the trip to Leeds, but the move to London has meant that I have time for a coffee at home before leaving for the train and do not have to leave at the crack of dawn. I was rather pleased with my single seat by the window and with the table service which delivered a bacon roll for breakfast. I was in Leeds early doors and quickly found my way to our pre-match pub. As I arrived, the doors were closed, but Graham was inside. He waved me around to the doors next door. It took me a couple of tries before I found the door marked “Mr Benn” which took me to the next stage of my adventure. When I found him, it was still four minutes before the bar in that section opened, but I was soon sitting with a pint of Ossett Brewery’s Silver King, which was rather lovely. The pub also served food from the πhole. I had initially decided only to get the pie and peas, but reconsidered and added the mash and gravy. The chicken and chorizo pie was very tasty, but the addition of creamy mash, minty mushy peas and gravy made it a perfect lunch for a wet afternoon in Leeds. We had grabbed a table in our ‘usual’ area and were soon joined by the Happy Valley ‘Orns, who I haven’t seen since pre-COVID times. There were beaming smiles and warm greetings, it was so lovely to see them again.
We left the pub at 2 to catch the shuttle bus to the ground and were very glad that we had, as there was a massive queue. Even the locals were commenting that they had never seen such a long queue. Leeds, like many clubs, have introduced a very strict bag policy (nothing larger than a sheet of A4). I was a little concerned that my bag would violate their policy. It was definitely small enough, but I was carrying a hardback copy of Hilary Mantel’s “The Mirror and the Light” which is over 900 pages and quite weighty. I contemplated leaving it at home, but my entertainment next Saturday afternoon, during the international break, is the RSC production of the play and, as I still had 270 pages to read, the long train journey seemed the perfect time to do it. When I got to the turnstile, they took a cursory look in my bag, before tagging it as acceptable. I paused, expecting to be searched, but the female steward paid me no further attention, and I was soon in the ground with bag intact.
Team news was that there were two changes from the Newcastle game with Sierralta back after his mysterious absence in place of Cathcart and Tufan in for Cleverley. So, the starting line-up was Foster; Rose, Sierralta, Troost-Ekong, Femenía; Sissoko, Tufan, Kucka; Dennis, King, Sarr. I was irritated to see that we were playing in our third kit as I had only brought the red one with me.
Before kick-off there was a minute’s applause for Roger Hunt, who recently passed away. It was impeccably and enthusiastically supported by all in the ground.
The first chance of the game came on 10 minutes when Troost-Ekong lost out to Dallas, who advanced and shot from the edge of the box, Foster got down to block and then cleared with his legs, while still on the ground, to prevent James from picking up the loose ball. At this point the Leeds fans started singing about being European Champions. On the way out, I looked at the honours that were displayed around the ground and could only see runners-up, but Wikipedia tells me that they won the Fairs Cup (precursor to the UEFA Cup) in 68 and 71! The home side threatened again, Sarr went down complaining after Firpo dispossessed him, the home side broke upfield but Dallas shot well over the bar. Leeds took the lead in the 19th minute. The Watford defence were in disarray at a corner and Kucka headed the ball back for Llorente to fire past Foster. The home side were appealing for a penalty soon after, when James went down in the box after a challenge from Troost-Ekong. The referee waved play on prompting the Leeds fans to sing “Where the f*ck is VAR?” Leeds created another chance when Dallas went on a run and played Klich in, he tried a shot from the edge of the area, but it flew straight into the arms of Foster. A dangerous cross from James to Rodrigo was cut out by a great block from Sierralta, which prevented the Leeds man having a tap-in. The Leeds keeper, Meslier, was finally called into action on 25 minutes when Tufan played the ball out to Sarr, but the shot was straight at the Leeds stopper. Raphinha should have increased the lead for the hosts when he broke into the box and rounded Foster, but the Watford keeper had narrowed the angle so he could only find the side netting. At the other end, Tufan picked up a loose ball in a dangerous position, but his shot was well over the bar. The hosts should have increased their lead just before half time when the ball fell to Klich on the corner of the box, his effort flew just over the target. Xisco was forced into a substitution at the end of the first half when King limped off and was replaced by Sema. Watford had a half chance to draw level before half-time when Dennis found Sarr, who dribbled into the box, but his shot was terrible, flying high and wide of the target. The half time whistle went to boos from the travelling Hornets. I don’t boo, but I could totally understand why others did. It had been a dreadful half of football.
At the start of the second half, the home side created an early chance but a shot from Dallas was blocked by Troost-Ekong. Klich won a free kick just outside the box, after a foul by Tufan, Raphinha stepped up, but his delivery flew over the bar. James was the next to threaten for the home side after he went on a run, beating Femenía and Kucka, but Foster was down to gather his cross. Then Klich found Dallas on the edge of the box, his shot was over the bar. A break by James was stopped by a foul from Femenía, who was booked for his trouble. Just before the hour mark, Xisco made his second substitution bringing João Pedro on for Tufan. The home side had a great chance to increase their lead as Raphina curled a corner that looked to be heading under the bar before Foster got a hand to it. Sarr was the next to be booked after a foul on James. Shamefully, an invitation from the Leeds fans “Watford give us a song” was greeted with “We’re f*cking shit.” I know we were appalling, but what happened to supporting your team? I despair. Poor communication between Foster and Sierralta led to the Chilean having to stretch to clear a ball and injuring himself. After some treatment, he was replaced by Kabasele. The Hornets created a rare chance as a ball into the box from Femenía was flicked on by Troost-Ekong to Dennis who was one-on -one with Meslier but the Leeds keeper blocked the shot, while taking a kick for his pains. Rose went to take a corner in front of the Leeds fans, he engaged in conversation with the crowd and had a plastic bottle thrown at him. The Hornets thought they had equalised from the corner which was dropped by Meslier and the ball bounced into the net, but the goal was disallowed as Kabasele had fouled one of the defenders. To be fair, an equaliser would have been a travesty. With 12 minutes remaining, Bielsa made his first substitution bringing Roberts on for Dallas. Roberts was immediately in action when he broke forward and put in a cross that was blocked by Troost-Ekong. The home side should have increased their lead when Foster dropped a free kick, Roberts picked up the ball, his shot was cleared off the line by Kucka and his follow-up rebounded back off the bar. A real let-off for the Hornets. In time added on, Sissoko found João Pedro whose shot from distance was blocked, so the Hornets fell to a 1-0 defeat, a scoreline that really flattered them.
The Watford players came over to applaud the travelling Hornets. I have to say that my applause back was perfunctory. The Leeds players and fans were celebrating as if they had won the European Cup (again). But those points were precious to them. As we left the stand, we were serenaded with “It’s a long way back to London when you’re sh*t.” They were not wrong.
We headed back to the shuttle buses and then back to the pub. There was a music festival going on in the bar, so it was way too loud for my old ears, but the Happy Valleys had reclaimed our pre-match table, so at least we were comfortable for our post-match analysis. We had been terrible. Leeds are a poor side, but we had not tested them and were very lucky to have only lost by the single goal. The midfield was appalling, both Sissoko and Kucka had dreadful games. Sarr and Femenía, who make such a difference when they are on form, were lack lustre. The only player who impressed at all, was Danny Rose. When I received my ticket, I was annoyed that it was marked as a restricted view. What that actually meant was that there was a pillar in my sightline but, sadly, I saw the whole game. It wasn’t pretty.
When I arrived to catch the train home, I spotted Miles Jacobson and Stuart Timperley, so I asked if they minded me joining them. They kindly said that they didn’t, so I had delightful company on the way home and was able to thank Stuart, yet again, for saving our club on more than one occasion.
On arrival home, I reflected that, as bad as the game had been, I had had a cracking day out. It has been so good to reconnect with friends that I haven’t seen for so long. The company really makes the day and, despite the performance and the result, were all smiling at the end of the day.
It was no surprise to get the news on Sunday morning that Xisco had been sacked. It is such a great shame, as he had brought smiles to our faces during lockdown, won us a promotion and was clearly a really lovely man. But, apart from the first hour against Villa and some of the Norwich game, we have been dreadful this season and, with the tough run of games coming up, it was clear that a change was needed. I wish Xisco much luck and happiness in the future. It appears that his replacement will be Claudio Ranieri. A very interesting appointment, I have a very soft spot for the Tinkerman. But, given that Liverpool are our next opponents, I am quite glad to have a week off to regain my strength. I will certainly need it over the next few weeks.
Fran's Watford Blog 