CITY 2 WATFORD 0
After the disaster in front of the cameras on Sunday, when Birmingham were there for the taking in the first half, it was essential for the City to immediately bounce back with 2 home games in 4 days against opposition that should, in theory, be soundly beaten, but that is not always the case with the City eg Bristol City game (is Maynard still there?).
At least one change to the starting line up was required and Sven actually juggled his pack with 4 changes – St. Ledger coming in for the suspended Mills, Wellens and Johnson in mid-field with Abe moving to the right-hand side, and Beckford replacing the off form Vassell up front alongside Nugent. On paper an impressive striking partnership, with Beckford seeking to open his City account, which should bring him more confidence to show the form he realised at Leeds.
The game started evenly, with the visitors pumping long balls into the gangly Iwelumo, who was winning headers against Bamba but without any support to take advantage. Most City attacks were down their left side with the impressive Konchesky taking up good positions and pinging the ball down the line to Wellens and Nugent. Beckford had 2 early chances but confidence was lacking as Watford weathered the storm. One was after a Bamba run down the left, but his cross was flagged out by the Lino as Beckford volleyed in to the net.
The City were well on top now and playing some good football, especially in mid-field, with Wellens and King prompting, Konchesky sending over some good crosses. It was obvious Johnson was the central holding player in mid-field, playing just in front of Bamba and St. Ledger….
Perhaps it was no surprise when the City eventually took the lead after 18 minutes and what a good goal it was, with Konchesky raiding down the left, finding Nugent on the edge of the box. A flick towards goal that beat 2 of the Hornets defenders set up a chance from 12 yards and Nugent calmly slotted the ball home past keeper Loach into the far corner of the net. Nugent is proving a cool finisher, as against Derby, and his 4th goal of the season should give him many more goals this term, especially if he keeps free of injuries.
Soon after, Nugent had a similar chance on the right side from a narrow angle, but the Watford keeper somehow diverted Nugent's shot past the far post for a corner. City were dominant and playing good football as Watford found it hard to compete, especially in mid-field.
It was no surprise, therefore, that the City extended their lead 10 minutes before half-time. A rare raid down the right with Peltier finding Abe 20 yards out. He looked up and floated a measured cross into the box and there was Beckford's head to guide the ball past Loach for his first goal for the Foxes. Beckford was visibly delighted as all the players swarmed around him.
Watford tried to get back into the game, but it was Bamba and Konchesky who conspired to give the visitors a chance, but with Garner on hand 6 yards out, Schmeichel bravely advanced and dived at the 3 player's feet, injuring himself, but the threat was neutralised. Then just before half-time, Peltier was injured and helped from the pitch but did return before the half-time whistle.
The City deserved their lead as Watford posed little threat with St. Ledger and Bamba dealing with everything easily thrown at them, Johnson was feeling his way and making plenty of side-ways passes, with the 2 full backs having plenty of space, but Abe seemed somewhat lost wide right and could not really get into the game.
Expectations were high for the second half, could the City add to their goal difference, which looking at the table, could be worth 2 or 3 places now and, critically, at the end of the season. The game, and the crowd were quiet, waiting for the third, but also realising that if Watford did pull a goal back, a real game could be on. Infact, Watford should have reduced the arrears, when Deeney found Iwelumo unmarked on the penalty spot, but his wild shot went wide, much to the City fans relief – couldn't see Nugent missing a gift like that!
Fernandes replaced Abe, with Vassell coming on for Beckford, who did not have a good second half, passing the ball erratically, but at least should have gained confidence from his first strike and will surely start against Millwall on Saturday. King was having a good game and a run into the Hornet's box nearly bought him a chance to score but his curling shot just missed the far post, with Wellens prompting and having a good game covering every blade of grass on the pitch.
However, to Watford's credit, they kept coming forward and could have had expectations for "something from the game" when Hogg's fierce drive from 18 yards was turned over by Schmeichel, much to the relief of the City's defenders, and again Schmeichel proving he was probably Sven's best signing in the summer break.
Nugent seemingly ran himself into the ground and was replaced by Dyer with 5 minutes to go, but the game petered out for a victory and 3 vital points gained taking us up to 9th in the table and extending the home run of victories.
Overall, the first half performance won us the points, but the second half was disappointing, with players taking their foot off the gas as several fans seemed to becoming frustrated, especially when the Stats show Watford had a total of 56% possession, opposite to the Birmingham game when City won that Stat but lost the game!
The defence played okay but Bamba's passing left a lot to be desired, his tackling and enthusiasm making up for it, but St Ledger, who apparently had a good game for Ireland last week, improved as the game went on, but every time he receives the ball, memories of a previous lapse come to mind.
Millwall always prove a difficult team to beat but should be easily dealt with as our home form is now giving us the momentum to at least get into the play-off positions, with promoted Southampton, perhaps being the surprise package, but there is, as we are continually reminded, a long way to go.
City: Schmeichel, Peltier, St. Ledger, Bamba, Konchesky, Johnson, Abe (Fernandes), Wellens, King, Beckford (Vassell), Nugent (Dyer). Subs not used: Weale, Pantsil.
Watford: Loach, Doyley, Mariappa, Mirfin, Dickinson, Eustace, Deeney, Hogg, Kightly (Buaben), Garner (Sordell), Iwelumo (Yeates). Subs not used: Bennett, Gilmartin
Referee: C. Sarginson Crowd: 20,304
The views expressed in this report are the opinions of the Trust member nominated to file the report only and do not represent the views of the Foxes Trust organisation