Reading 1 Watford 1 (26/09/2009) 27/09/2009
Posted by Matt Rowson in Thoughts about things.trackback
Look, we weren’t there, ok? So if you’re looking for insightful thunks you’d better look somewhere else; the reasons for non-attendance shall, as ever, remain private but it should go without saying that it was fairly heavy stuff.
I’m assuming that people will want to discuss the match anyway, so do so here if you really must. However in an attempt to wreck any thoughts you had of doing some work over the next couple of days, here’s a quiz. I sincerely hope it does your head in…
All questions relate to the ten seasons from 1999/2000 to 2008/2009, these being the ten (completed) seasons during which Watford have worn squad numbers. The answers are all workoutable, but in most cases only if you’re very sad (like me) and even then I’m guessing that it’ll take you a while to work out rather than guess – on that basis answers will be revealed on Wednesday morning whilst I’m waiting for my house purchase to complete (!!!).
You can enter by commenting on this message… responses containing quiz entries will not be “approved” and published before Wednesday, so don’t include Reading commentary and quiz answers in the same response.
In all questions an “appearance” means in the starting eleven or, equally, an active (used) substitute. A squad number is only “used” if the incumbent starts a game or comes on as sub.
And remember…2009/10 not included.
The prize for the winner is a copy of some book or other. If they’re bothered….
That is all.
1a- Which is the largest squad number that has been used by Watford? (1)
1b- Which two players have worn this number? (2)
2- Which player has made the most appearances for Watford over this period? (1)
3- Three players have worn four different squad numbers. Name them. (3)
4a- Which player appeared in the same shirt number in the largest number of seasons? (1)
4b- Which shirt number did he wear? (1)
4c- How many seasons did he wear it for? (1)
4d- Which two players tie for second place in this regard? (2)
5a- Which player has played the most games in one shirt number? (1)
5b- Which shirt number? (1)
6- Which shirt number has been used in the largest number of games? (1)
7a- Which two shirts have had the largest number of incumbents? (2)
7b- How many incumbents has each of these shirts had? (1)
7c- How many shirt numbers have been sported by one player only? (1)
8a- Which shirt number is the most cherished, in that the average number of appearances per incumbent is the largest? (1)
8b- And which shirt number has been worn only once by each of its incumbents? (1)
Total out of 21.
Tie Breaker: wrt q6… in how many of the 508 competitive games that we’ve played over these ten seasons was the most used shirt employed?
BHaPPY (not BSaD) 
The answer is… black shorts.
Sorry to hear you weren’t there. Shame really, you missed an atmosphere to rival any that I have ever experienced (and I think you and I are of the same generation Matt, if that is any indication of how mad it was).
I won’t answer your questions as I have just ordered the book anyway, so it would seem plain silly to waste too many minutes of my life trying to win something that I have just bought!
Here are my 5 thunks from Saturday, if I may be so bold:-
1. It was always going to be a special day as my daughter was mascot, but I found the whole surreal experience of going into the dressing room and being surrounded by our heroes very comfortable indeed – special mention must go to Alec Chamberlain and Richard Lee for being quite possibly the two nicest people on the face of the planet, although the whole squad were fantastic with Serafina, even if Malky did get her name wrong in the autograph book (like I was going to tell him…). Scott Loach on the other hand should learn to wear more than his jock strap when a 6 year old girl is in the vacinity!
2. No matter what JR may say, I can’t quite bring myself to think of Reading as the new L*t*n, the reasons being many but suffice to say that I felt at no time on my first visit to the Mad Stad that I was about to be pelted with bricks and other such projectiles.
3. And actually, the people at Reading were incredibly pleasant and made my daughter and I feel very welcome indeed, especially those behind the scenes at the club – top notch treatment from start to finish. The Reading fans were very complimentary of how well my little girl was taking her mascot experience in her stride and right around the ground they made a big fuss of her, giving her “high fives” as we wandered back to the tunnel for her big moment.
4. So to the atmosphere – holy crap! In many ways it was the wrong game at which to give my little girl her first “away day” experience, such was the level of vitriol aimed at our former leader but what could I do? She won the mascot competition. By God, I don’t think I have EVER been involved in such an intense gathering of Watford fans as that and I am sure that, despite the hands-over-the-ears moments (of which there were many) Serafina will remember that stmosphere for a very long time to come.
5. All said and done not a bad result, but I can’t help feeling sorry for the Duke. When we met him before the game he was quietly spoken and extremely warm and polite. I was willing him to come on and silence his doubters. When he did get on I thought he was magnificent and, for a while, it looked like there was only one possible outcome to this match, that being a Watford win with Ellington scoring the winner. Such a crying shame that his involvement was cut short for merely doing what many of us have been berating him for not doing – giving a toss and getting stuck in. I wish him well for the rest of the season and sincerely hope that he comes good and finally shows us what he is really capable of.
2. Lloyd Doyley
Tough luck Matt, you missed a fun afternoon in the sunshine. Thought we settled well after an anxious opening few minutes, which is a credit to a young side. All emotion aside it could have gone either way and a draw was probably a fair result.
Like Apperley found myself willing the Duke on, which was an odd experience. Turned to my son and suggested that two goals now would define his career with Watford – didn’t envisage two yellows, resulting in a nervous last few minutes but somehow it didn’t matter too much.
Interesting dilemma for MM now – stick to one at front at home or do we find out exactly where Hoskins sits in the grand scheme of things while we await the Puffin eater’s return?
Some random thoughts :
1. Best game I’ve seen McAnuff play – shame he was wearing a blue shirt. Don’t really miss him though.
2. Pity that we couldn’t hang on to Rasiak – he still looked useful, especially in the first half. He and Danny would frighten a number of defences in this league.
3. Ellington did well in his twenty or so minutes. His problem is that he is trying too hard – a couple of unnecessary fouls resulted.A start might be what is needed as it would give him some time and confidence to let him show what he can do. Who makes way though?
4. The vitriol heaped on our former esteemed leader was fully deserved and amusing to start with. But it went on a bit. The volume of support would have been better directed at backing the ‘Orns rather than deriding Rodgers. After all, Messrs Lansbury,Cathcart,Cleverley and even Helguson must have wondered what the heck was going on.
Is this is the most boring quiz you have ever been the architect of, Matt?
My thoughts…
Rasiak was awesome for them – once Buck decides to actually play someone alongside him Reading should start climbing the table. It’s a shame we couldn’t afford him, but I have no complaints about Danny Graham who was excellent and once again showed a knack for being in the right place at the right time.
In the first ten minutes I thought we were in for a drubbing. Kebe and Jobi were having their way with our full-backs, and we were being torn to pieces. And then they scored, which appeared to be the catalyst for a tactical withdrawal from our half. The rest of the first half was fairly even, and I think we shaded the second. Dodson and Lloyd regained some degree of control of the flanks, and Jobi gradually disappeared from the game (imagine my surprise, etc etc). When Buck hauled him off after an hour, I thoroughtly enjoyed the chorus of ‘That’s the best he’ll ever play’, although they might also get a performance out of him when Palace come to town.
The Duke is desperate to score, and contribute. And to be fair to the crowd, I think most people recognise that and are getting behind him. He probably deserved both yellows, but just prior to the second he was clearly pulled back having won the ball in defence – it was no doubt partly frustration at not getting the free kick that led to a rash challenge. The ref had a bit of a shocker as the game wore on – we had a clear penalty turned down as Eustace was hacked down in the 6-yard box – the Beeb website ought to include this in their highlights package, so I will be interested to see it again. Having said that, we really should have scored from that opportunity regardless of the foul.
Probably a fair result, and a good away point in the grand scheme of things. At least four points from the next two home games would set us up nicely for the slog through the heart of the season.
Five thunks as to why I have not attempted the quiz:
1. We overseas ‘Orns don’t get programmes or squad numbers
2. I already have the prize; a fine work which arrived by Amazon last week. It’s essential for all WFC tragics. Great work, MR.
3. But…never trust a man who cannot afford time to attend Reading (A) but has the hours to concoct this devilish number-number-rhumba
4. I’d still rather shout unpleasant things at Sr Vialli than Mr Rodgers. At least we got some money from the parting of the ways with BR. With Luca, he got an ‘out of court settlement.’
5. Finally, a question. True or False. The number of WFC players since 1920 with a ‘J’ in their surname, multiplied by the number of goals scored by Heidar Helgusson since first joining the club. Is it prime or not?
Matt won’t have a problem, but my brother might.
Quiz answers
Haven’t you got anything better to do? I was supposed to be looking at “enterprise content management” this morning, whatever that is, and all I’ve done so far is spend hours going through my old season-by-season spreadsheets. Luckily I’m at work otherwise I’d be double-checking through my old prgrammes as well.
Anyway;
1a 41
1b Johan Cavalli and Lee Hodson
2 Tommy Smith (291)
3 Neil Cox (2,5,29,36), Anthony McNamee (16,19,23,33), Tommy Smith (9,17,21,29)
4a Alec Chamberlain
4b 1
4c 7
4d Heidar Helguson and Micah Hyde (5)
5a Micah Hyde (187)
5b 8
6 8
7a 7 and 33
7b 9
7c 0
8a 8
8b 40
Tie breaker 370
Cheers
PDF – almost certainly not. I’m assuming that this undue insult is a reaction to you not knowing any of the answers?
Simon – not attending Reading wasn’t a matter of time available, but competing considerations. And the answer to your question is not. You know why…
Five thunks from a hugely enjoyable day out in Berkshire:
1. ‘That’s the best he’ll ever play’
2. ‘You’re not good enough, good enough, you’re not good enough’
3. ‘He’s full of sh*t, he’s full of sh*t, he’s full of, Brendan’s full of sh*t’
4. The support wasn’t up there in any all-time lists (too quiet until the goal) but the bundle when Graham scored rivalled anything in my time supporting Watford for intensity
5. The protagonists won’t be reading this, but did anyone else encounter the two Bristol City fans at any point in the day? Hats off to the two of them for wholeheartedly supporting the orns, and for the most amusing bus ride back to town anyone could wish for…
Having seen the Leicester and Reading games I would hope MM starts with 2 up front from now on, rather than waiting until we’re behind. Both great fightbacks but better to start the games on the front foot, surely?
Agree with above comments about the book, Matt. Thoroughly enjoying the memories, thanks a lot.
Its a knack to make so many people hate you. The steward at the front of stand was praying we’d win and see Brenda off and I was stopped on the way out by an old boy in blue asking if we’d have him back – I’m sure others have similar stories. That said, surely time to move on now and devote energy to the positive rather than the past ….?
Highlights anywhere?
I hate being in the States.
Don’t get programmes and nowhere near the ones I do have. Still, will take a few punts…
1a- Which is the largest squad number that has been used by Watford? 41
1b- Which two players have worn this number? Johan Cavalli & AN Other
2- Which player has made the most appearances for Watford over this period? (1) Tommy Smith
3- Three players have worn four different squad numbers. Name them. (3) Cox, Smith, Bouazza? AN other
4a- Which player appeared in the same shirt number in the largest number of seasons? (1) Alec Chamberlain
4b- Which shirt number did he wear? (1) 1
4c- How many seasons did he wear it for? (1) 8
4d- Which two players tie for second place in this regard? (2) Lloyd Doyley (originally 20, I seem to recall, 12 since 02/03?) and Richard Lee
5a- Which player has played the most games in one shirt number? (1) Lloyd Doyley
5b- Which shirt number? (1) 12
6- Which shirt number has been used in the largest number of games? (1) Tempted to go for Doyley’s 12 again, but think it’s probably a first xi number, likely a defender one. Still, can’t plump for one, so 12.
7a- Which two shirts have had the largest number of incumbents? (2) I suspect one of them is 7. And perhaps the other 18, although it’s more likely to be something higher for the kids.
7b- How many incumbents has each of these shirts had? (1) Pure guess – 8
7c- How many shirt numbers have been sported by one player only? (1) Another guess – 5
8a- Which shirt number is the most cherished, in that the average number of appearances per incumbent is the largest? (1) Again, likely a first xi number. Robbo and Stewart both got 100 appearances in 3, and only Sadler and Mayo to bring that down, so 3?
8b- And which shirt number has been worn only once by each of its incumbents? (1) 40? Something suitably high!
Quiz answers:
1a – 41
1b – Johan Cavalli and Lee Hodson
2 Tommy Smith
3 – Neil Cox, Tommy Smith and Anthony McNamee
4a – Alec Chamberlain
4b – 1
4c – 7
4d – Micah Hyde and Heidur Helguson
5a – Micah Hyde
5b – 8
6 – 8
7a – 7 and 32
7b – 9
7c – None
8a – 8
8b – 40
Tie breaker: 370
As always, finances didn’t allow for a trek from Denmark though I wish I could have. Looked a fantastic day out and a decent enough result. Brenda needs to orchestrate a massive turn-around to make sure he’ll be there when we have them at the Vic.
Danny Graham – what a player. Follows his recent scrappy goals with a sublime placed header.
Eustace – that’s 3 fantastic performances in 4 games. Not too shabby for a player we all thought should be sold in the summer.
Ellington – I have to point out to Weymouth in point 4. that slating Ellington for trying too hard is slightly unfair imho – as most fans have been slating him for not trying. He is showing a willingness to be part of the team and battle for the cause… and during ramadan even. Fair dos – I hope he comes back from suspension with as much passion.
Rob – highlights are available on BBC and SKY web sites. Both places are restricted geographically. This can be bypassed using firefox and foxyproxy along with a UK proxy IP (google it and ye shall find).
Plymouth fan who occasionally watches Reading here. Here’s my take on the game :
http://thetwounfortunates.blogspot.com/2009/09/berks-v-herts.html
I am possibly abusing my position as a contributor to BHaPPY but what the hell….
Start voting people!!
http://www.readingchronicle.co.uk/sport/readingfc/articles/2009/10/21/42310-brendan-rodgers–sack-him-or-back-him/