Watford 3 Leicester City 2 (04/12/2010)

Five thunks from a chilly but snow-free Vicarage Road.

1- With due apologies to my co-editor, stranded on the South Coast by the weather and consequent train disruption, this is what you bloody go to watch a football match for. You know it’s been a good one when you’re left drained by the adrenaline, when you’ve been up and down and cheering and relaxed and apprehensive and nervous and terrified and exaltant all within the space of a couple of hours. That, and a big gash on my calf indicating the point at which the celebration of Danny Graham’s marvellous winner got a little too raucous in the Rookery (I think it was the frame of my seat wot dunnit, either that or someone took a bite out of my leg in delirium. Either way, I’m treating it has having taken one for the team). It felt as if something fundamentally changed at that point, like air flooding into a vacuum… a first win in eight, and the first Watford goal at the Rookery End since August. The only concern is that it might start snowing in Watford now, but I’ll take that sacrifice.

2- Full marks to Malky today, on any number of levels. The shape in the first half, with Buckley wide and McGinn pushing up behind Danny Graham, was inspired – McGinn looked thoroughly comfortable in the role, and the entire midfield looked tremendous throughout the first half. Both of the unenforced substitutions were effective – the replaced Buckley and McGinn had had decent games, but changing the shape by again shoving Deeney out on the right to provide a different kind of threat, and then taking the initiative by bringing on an extra striker to chase a game that at one point looked in danger of running away from us altogether, was bold and justly rewarded with three points.

3- No small respect is due to Leicester; having looked a little bit feeble in the first half, they came out like wild dogs in the second half. If the penalty award was generous, it was earned by a bullish determination to get back into the game which persisted beyond the equaliser, buoyed by a noisy following that filled the away end (either that or it was half full, with each visitor disposing of redundant extra layers on the adjacent seat – difficult to tell from our end…). Key in keeping the back door shut was Jack Hobbs, who on two or three occasions threw himself in the path of a critical pass as we broke (albeit, as my temporary neighbour pointed out, looking a little less comfortable with the more routine, less last-ditch requirements of his role, recalling Jay DeMerit).

If there’s a criticism, it’s that the rapid rebuilding has a touch of the Viallis about it… as if Eriksson has come in and dismissed what was a half-decent squad in favour of a load of more expensive signings who come from the top flight and must therefore be better. A little harsh, perhaps – you’d have Kyle Naughton over Patrick Blondeau every day of the week – but it doesn’t feel like a particularly organic revolution. Perversely, Steve Howard prevails, if only in a comedy cameo that saw him give away countless fouls, knock people over and get booked in the process.

4- Not quite sure what’s provoked the more aggressive stewarding in the Rookery, but can’t help but feel that telling a steward to “get a proper job” is hardly going to diffuse a situation. This is pathetic enough when perpetrated by a half-witted smirking teenager; the forty-something moron that trotted out the line during the second half confrontations really ought to have known better.

5- It goes without saying that a first win in eight is a Good Thing, but this could prove to be a pivotal victory… with QPR away next week, and Preston suddenly not looking like cannon fodder, another defeat could have left things looking very iffy indeed. Instead, we’re back in the top half of the table. Those raucous celebrations were fully justified.