10 Great Watford Moments from 2011

What's that, you've already seen 100 different Top 10's of 2011 in the media this week?

Yes, us too, but we (along with your suggestions on Facebook and Twitter) have put together a From The Rookery End - 10 Great Watford Moments from 2011. They aren't in order but they are all moments that make being a Watford fan enjoyable, 'interesting' and most of all proud.

Ashley Young signing for Manchester United - Thursday 23rd June
It may not have been a signing that is going to help Watford much now, well some cash from a sell on clause, but it is great to see a player who came through the Watford Academy play on the biggest stages football has to offer.

Tommie Hoban making his senior debut at Preston North End - Saturday 7th May
Why this player in particular, well he is the current Captain of the Under 18's, a future prospect and his debut meant he was the 22nd home grown player to play in the Watford first team in the 2010-2011 season. No homegrown players have made debuts so far this season, a clear policy change under Dyche, but our Academy players continue to grow out on loan playing regular competitive football.

Martin Taylor scoring an injury time equaliser at home to Birmingham - Sunday 28th August
Goals don't have to be spectacular over head kicks or even lead to a win. Martin Taylor's header was such a goal and it gave me the feeling of a win as I left Vicarage Road that day. It was the first home point we'd seen this season after 3 were professionally taken from us by West Ham and 3 were stolen by Derby with very little effort or grace.

Lee Hodson 1st goal at Leeds United ending 2-2 - Saturday 16th April
For the expression of sheer joy, excitement and happiness on his face as he ran towards the travelling Watford fans.

Adrian Marriappa's Bobby Moore style tackle vs Leeds - Saturday 10th December
Maybe liking it to Bobby Moore's tackle of Jairzinho in the 1970 World Cup is a bit too much, but it was one of those tackles where the defender makes the tackle, stops the ball dead and then calmly passes it out of defence. It's one of those moments where you feel that the player is in complete control or their game. And that sums up Mariappa this year - He's been fantastic!

The team announcement at home to Peterborough - Saturday 29th October
After our recent signings this current season we must have the greatest combination of first names and surnames in the entire world of football. At that game against Peterborough names on the Watford's team sheet included Marvin, Troy, Iwelumo, Hogg,  Prince, Bauaben, Nyron and Nosworthy. Even Mariappa is a bit special, but we've got used to it in the last 6 years. What a wonderful ensemble of names we have at Vicarage Road.

Laurence Bassini taking over Watford Football Club - Friday 1st April
Is this a positive or negative things for the club has yet to be decided 100%. What we do know is that it's given us on the podcast, and many other Watford fans, plenty to talk/worry about. We hope for good and  regular communication with Laurence in 2012, in whatever form it may come in.

Johnathan Hogg signing his Watford contract - Saturday 27 August 
We've had far more signings at Watford this year then anyone would have imagined. Many of them have added a little something to this squad, but none more than Jonathan Hogg. He is able to defy Physics by being in every part of the pitch simultaneously and passes the ball like an American quarterback setting up a wide receiver to take the game forward. Oh and he's keeping Johnny Eustace out of the starting XI. The battle of player of the season has start early and Hogg and Mariappa are currently streaks ahead of the crowd.

Sean Dyche's 'COME ON' gesture after Ipswich 1-2 Watford - Saturday 3rd December
It wasn't our first away win of the season, but it was our first comeback away win and Sean's face and punching of the air summed up the feeling we all had after a battling win! It was also sort of aggression you'd expect from a man with a voice that sounds like he's eaten a few exhausts.

Danny Graham showing his vest - Saturday 1 January
Danny was the Watford star player of 2011 and he was pretty niffty at scoring goals (like you didn't know that), but he was also a dab hand at Table Tennis. So much so he won the "2010-2011 Watford FC Table Tennis Championship". Danny proudly showed off his win by lifting his shirt reveling a message, written with a black marker, on a his vest after scoring in the 69th minute vs Portsmouth on the 1 January 2011. A few months later when, after scoring against Millwall, he showed us that the Watford squad are a close squad and used another vest to hope Stephen McGinn a quick recovery from injury. It also inspired us to create 'Wear a Vest for Danny Day'. He may have moved on to greener pastures, but we will always thank him for the goals he scored in the 2010-2011 season and giving us a fun way to celebrate the season.

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So there are our 10 Great Watford Moments from 2011. Thank you to Darren Lapthorne, Steven Wynbar and Luke Green for their contributions via Facebook and Twitter and if you have your own favourite moment then put it in the comments section below. It's not been a vintage year for Watford, but as always it's great to support a club that creates special moments like these!

Jon

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POD 2.1 - Preseason 2011-2012

With the 2011-2012 is almost here and Jon, Jason and Mike are back for a 2nd season of podcasts. A new theme tune, a new challenge and a new season of football to talk about. As the the three life long Watford fans head to Watford's preseason match at AFC Wimbledon they have all the chat about the goings and comings at Vicarage Road over the closed season and of course they give their thoughts on how the new season might unravel.

Sean Dyche - Watford Manager

I'll be honest, Sean "Stone Cold" Dyche wasn't at the top of my list for the vacant manager's position at Watford. For the record I liked the look of Paul Tisdale from Exeter City. Experience at getting a team on a tight budget promoted and then keeping them at that higher level comfortably. However, I'm not against the appointment and am pleased that he has been picked ahead of the likes of Laws, Westley, Boothroyd, ...... insert many of the names that appeared on the bookies' lists for the job since last Friday. So what makes the appointment of a man without any front line managerial experience a good thing? One word...


Continuity!

Well, it's obvious isn't it? We know what Watford are about. Academy, player trading model, young squad. Words and phrases we've become familiar with over the last couple of years. And Dyche is a big part of that. We talk a lot about the home grown squad we have. Let's not forget that our new boss was youth team coach when he rejoined the Hornets back in 2007. So he's got more experience then maybe he is being given credit for. Experience working with young players. Our young players. And don't just take my word for it. Both Graham Taylor and Laurence Bassini have quoted continuity and the Watford Way when talking about his promotion from within. Plus we know it works. Did Malky not take the same steps on making his first foray into management at Vicarage Road?

If you've read my ramblings before then you'll know what I'm like. I need facts, stats. I feel it necessary to back up my fluffy spouting with some solid reality. So what gems from the past can I dig up to prove this is the way to go? Well I'm going all the way back to when I was a nipper beginning my education in the beautiful game. It's the early 80's and Liverpool were in charge of English football and Bob Paisley was in charge of Liverpool. He was the first product of Bill Shankly's legendary Boot Room, winning League titles, domestic & European cup competitions and surpassing Shankly's legendary record. When he retired in 1983, he was replaced by another Boot Room member, Joe Fagan, followed by player manager Kenny Dalglish. They won 32 trophies between them.

Impressive, huh? But maybe it's a bit far-fetched to compare Watford to the all conquering Liverpool side of the late 70's, early 80's. Well, let's look at it from a historical Watford perspective then. When we've gone for so called big names in management, it hasn't always worked. Vialli and Bassett come to mind. Whilst those that we'd never heard of.... Boothroyd, promotion in his first full season. Rodgers, okay, he didn't hang round very long but was growing green shoots of recovery at the Vic. And whilst it didn't quite end up the proverbial silk purse left behind by Malky, Sean hasn't been left with a complete pig's ear of a team.

So, Dyche appears to be the right choice. He knows the club, he knows the players. In times of such uncertainty, to have the opportunity to make a decision that allows the club to have some stability at a management level is not to be passed by. Add to that a demeanor that screams leadership, with a likeable personality, was there ever any other option? Tisdale. What was I thinking?

Jason

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