Watford lose 2–1 at home to Stoke in a game where the scoreline does the performance considerably more favours than Watford managed to do themselves. We discuss being comprehensively outplayed in midfield, a side already looking worryingly leggy, players being asked to play through problems, and a substitutes’ bench featuring two goalkeepers, two right-backs and precious little ability to change what was happening in front of us. Stoke, meanwhile, rather inconveniently demonstrated what midfield depth, movement and Championship know-how actually look like. There is, however, one glorious little shard of sunshine poking through an otherwise fairly industrial-sized cloud: Amin Nabizada. The academy youngster comes off the bench and belts in a fabulous consolation goal — his third of the season — providing approximately 97% of the afternoon’s available joy. We ask whether he should now be starting, where the other youngsters have disappeared to, and whether Alessio Dionisi can reasonably be expected to keep squeezing performances from a squad currently held together with cotton wool and crossed fingers. Callers range from despondent to extremely despondent as attention inevitably turns towards the ownership, recruitment and the increasingly mythical prospect of everyone becoming fit after the international break. There’s praise for Dionisi, admiration for Stoke, some free-agent shopping, an unexpectedly detailed discussion about the relative size of Watford players’ heads, and the discovery that losing 2–1 can apparently constitute a flattering scoreline. Other than that, Mrs Lincoln, how was the play? COYH!! This Podcast has been created and uploaded by Do Not Scratch Your Eyes. Huge thanks to all our Patreons: Chris Giannone, RichWFC2, Steve Holliman, Paul Fiander Turner, Sean Gourley, Lee Anselmo, John Parslow, Mark von Herkomer, Neil Silverstein, Steve Brown, Dave Lavender, Kasey Brown, Nipper Harrison, Boyd Mayover, Colin Payne, Paul Riley, Gary Wood, Karl Campion, Kevin Cremen, The Big Le – Bofski, Greg Theaker, Malcolm Williams, Peter Ryan, John Thekanady - Ambassador of Dubai!! Jack Foster, Jason Rose, Michael Abrahams, Ian Bacon, Ken Green, Nick Nieuwland, Colin Smith Ant!!!!! Westlie Wheeler, Stephen Atkinson, John Myers, Ryan D! Dave Mullins, James McNamara, Jim Cuthbert, Peter Birch, John Myers, Richard Pyne, Vydra Deeney!!! &PDF!!! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
