Watford v Leeds Utd Match Thread

[Cjay]

Farke here

Injuries? Daniel James and Joe Rodon are available, back in training since yesterday. Was a precaution to leave them out against Millwall.

Bad news for Max Wober, with his knee problems. He has another setback and needs surgey. We expect him to be back after the intierntional break. Surgery this week. Out until the end of March.

Bamford was not back in team training, won't be back before Watford but afterwards we will see.




On Saturday

It was important to give players a rest (vs Millwall). This was beneifical to be fresh and ready to go again.

Chambers - he hs also played more in a central role but sometimes for a young player it is easier to come in on the wong. Needs to work on his physical and fitness levels a bit more. For that, it made sense to bring him on the wing.

He's a good finisher and with his runs. He has to learn a lot with tactical behaviour. He is still growing and developing. It was not a gidt he was in the starting line-up. Hopefully it will give him a boost to carry on.



Watford

It depends on the schedule. From Saturday to Tuesday is not so bad, it's three proper nights.

Between the games, there is a enough time [for us] to recover.

Watford want to finish in the top six and are a robust side. They dropped out of the top six due to players not being available. One of the best sides at home. Another tough away game but we have proved at tough away places, we have a chance to get points.



Injuries

How are we doing? Overall pretty good. Apart from Patrick's injury, no muscle injuries at all (over the festive period). Pretty happy how out medical department works. How important nutrition is. Credit to the players, they have to be professional.

In terms of msucle injuries, we're in a good place.

It was important for [Struijk] to get 90 minutes under his belt.



Contracts

No we are playing every three days so no time for contract talks. For Josh, we signed him for the period.

We talk with contracts when players are back in rhtyhtm. No ttime to waste any energ on that.





Portsmouth reschedule

I hope the fixture list is good for the supporters. If you;re thinking just about TV and not the fans the one day you will lose the fanbase.

I want the fixture list to be right and fair play. Sometimes you struggle why the fuxture list how it is. When I have a look this week - diffuclt for Wednesday away game late then why play Saturday lunchtime when players are at home for the Thursday.

Hard to understand why we don't have a later game and in terms of fair play. When you judge it with common sense, everyone wants the best players on the pitch. You have to rotate more then (tight schedule).

Fair play, it;s not great. Sometimes it makes no sense. Sometime the fixture list does you a favour but since I;ve been here it;s been the other way around.

It;s good many people want to see Leeds live on TV, that's great - I struggle to complain about that - as well with the TV profits. We have to adapt and find some solutions - so moan about it doesn't help you.

But the best way is not to speak about it too much.




Managing players

It's always tricky to be invovled in man management. Isaac Schmidt is doing well in training... but it's professional football. It's not a decision against him but more for a different player in his position.

Prepare for it and work hard. This is what Isaac is doing. Jayden Bogle is probably the standout performer in this elague. Byram has played there on both right and left.

We can;t always travel with four or five full-backs. All players are important. With 10/11 players you can't be successful. When Junior, Sam and Jayden play, they can't be two per cent. Credit to isaac for keeping the levels high for them.





Bamford injury

It's difficult for all players. They arrive earlier and leave later. Lots of boring stuff. When we grow up w want to be out and play with our mates and if you can't because of an injury then that always hurts.

Patrick is an experienced guy, he knows what he eneeds to do. I'm quite sure Patrick is motivated to be with us as soon as possible.

[Cjay]

May as well just forget Wober or Bamford exist at this point.

[The Subhuman]

May as well just forget Wober or Bamford exist at this point.

I did that before the season started

[CUSSIE01]

Just my opinion but if Firpo is playing I’d prefer Pascal beside him and Amps with Tanaka or Gruev in midfield. Watch Pascal play with Firpo and his positioning is excellent when Firpo is attacking and when he’s in defence he is constantly herding him into position like a collie with a lamb. Amps has been excellent for us in defence but I’d still prefer him in front of the back 4.

[Johnthewhite]

May as well just forget Wober or Bamford exist at this point.

I'm trying my best, it's just the thought of the two pay cheques each month

[mentalcase]

Just my opinion but if Firpo is playing I’d prefer Pascal beside him and Amps with Tanaka or Gruev in midfield. Watch Pascal play with Firpo and his positioning is excellent when Firpo is attacking and when he’s in defence he is constantly herding him into position like a collie with a lamb. Amps has been excellent for us in defence but I’d still prefer him in front of the back 4.

That would be my preference as well

[GreennWhite]

Farke mentioned " it doesnt do any good to moan " some of our fans need to listen to him

[DDB220]

I would play Pascal and Rodon as the CB’s - Amp’s in midfield is essential for tracking runners. Pace in the middle is a necessity for me - More defensive solidity. Playing Amps at CB is a waste of his attributes

If Pascal is back, which I hope he is, he is important for set pieces at both ends of the pitch. Then I would like to see AO alongside Amps, he offers more of an offensive threat than Rothwell and is very good on the ball in tight situations.

I rate Rothwell this season, but his set piece delivery is not crucial. Similarly, I would not be concerned if Byram started over Firpo at LB, particularly as Watford have some strong runners on the flanks and if Firpo cannot get forward he does not offer a great deal for me. But it matters not who starts in that position personally.

This is our strongest set up for me. Pascal needed mins after recovering from injury, I think that is why he played the full 90, to get his rhythm back. His distribution down that left side is very important to the way we play.

As usual scoring the 1st goal and preferably early in the game will be crucial for us.

[mentalcase]

CBs
Rodon Right footed
Struijk Left Footed
Thats the strongest for me.


Wober Flat footed.

[pjm2019]

I did that before the season started

[pjm2019]

Farke mentioned " it doesnt do any good to moan " some of our fans need to listen to him

i am listening but don't always agree

[Ellandback1]

Farke here

Injuries? Daniel James and Joe Rodon are available, back in training since yesterday. Was a precaution to leave them out against Millwall.

Bad news for Max Wober, with his knee problems. He has another setback and needs surgey. We expect him to be back after the intierntional break. Surgery this week. Out until the end of March.

Bamford was not back in team training, won't be back before Watford but afterwards we will see.


On Saturday

It was important to give players a rest (vs Millwall). This was beneifical to be fresh and ready to go again.

Chambers - he hs also played more in a central role but sometimes for a young player it is easier to come in on the wong. Needs to work on his physical and fitness levels a bit more. For that, it made sense to bring him on the wing.

He's a good finisher and with his runs. He has to learn a lot with tactical behaviour. He is still growing and developing. It was not a gidt he was in the starting line-up. Hopefully it will give him a boost to carry on.



Watford

It depends on the schedule. From Saturday to Tuesday is not so bad, it's three proper nights.

Between the games, there is a enough time [for us] to recover.

Watford want to finish in the top six and are a robust side. They dropped out of the top six due to players not being available. One of the best sides at home. Another tough away game but we have proved at tough away places, we have a chance to get points.



Injuries

How are we doing? Overall pretty good. Apart from Patrick's injury, no muscle injuries at all (over the festive period). Pretty happy how out medical department works. How important nutrition is. Credit to the players, they have to be professional.

In terms of msucle injuries, we're in a good place.

It was important for [Struijk] to get 90 minutes under his belt.



Contracts

No we are playing every three days so no time for contract talks. For Josh, we signed him for the period.

We talk with contracts when players are back in rhtyhtm. No ttime to waste any energ on that.





Portsmouth reschedule

I hope the fixture list is good for the supporters. If you;re thinking just about TV and not the fans the one day you will lose the fanbase.

I want the fixture list to be right and fair play. Sometimes you struggle why the fuxture list how it is. When I have a look this week - diffuclt for Wednesday away game late then why play Saturday lunchtime when players are at home for the Thursday.

Hard to understand why we don't have a later game and in terms of fair play. When you judge it with common sense, everyone wants the best players on the pitch. You have to rotate more then (tight schedule).

Fair play, it;s not great. Sometimes it makes no sense. Sometime the fixture list does you a favour but since I;ve been here it;s been the other way around.

It;s good many people want to see Leeds live on TV, that's great - I struggle to complain about that - as well with the TV profits. We have to adapt and find some solutions - so moan about it doesn't help you.

But the best way is not to speak about it too much.




Managing players

It's always tricky to be invovled in man management. Isaac Schmidt is doing well in training... but it's professional football. It's not a decision against him but more for a different player in his position.

Prepare for it and work hard. This is what Isaac is doing. Jayden Bogle is probably the standout performer in this elague. Byram has played there on both right and left.

We can;t always travel with four or five full-backs. All players are important. With 10/11 players you can't be successful. When Junior, Sam and Jayden play, they can't be two per cent. Credit to isaac for keeping the levels high for them.





Bamford injury

It's difficult for all players. They arrive earlier and leave later. Lots of boring stuff. When we grow up w want to be out and play with our mates and if you can't because of an injury then that always hurts.

Patrick is an experienced guy, he knows what he eneeds to do. I'm quite sure Patrick is motivated to be with us as soon as possible.

We won't see Wober again this season...

[hector]

You didn't need to put "this season"

[Ellandback1]

You didn't need to put "this season"

Good point!!!!

[Johnthewhite]

You didn't need to put "this season"

[John in Louisiana]

We are obsessed with Pascal.

Why change a defence keeping clean sheets?

I agree.

[DDB220]

I agree.

We were also keeping clean sheets when he was in the starting before his injury.

[Tom the Cat]

I'm trying my best, it's just the thought of the two pay cheques each month

Cheer Up - Bamford is expected to be back in training next week which means that he will be out with another injury until at least the end of March

[GreennWhite]

i am listening but don't always agree

[Anderson]

When the betting opened for tonight’s game William Hill had Watford at 11to2, they have pushed them out to 17to2,and shortened us to a very stingy 1to3,let’s hope the bookies are right.