This is first time I've really criticised Neil

[Pontprennau Bluebird]

I was staggered that Ken and Reed did not start. Murphy and Niasse looked like they’d never met and Mange was an embarrassment. Our sole tactic was boot it towards Patterson who would nudge it on to someone to shovel it up and then build from there. No pace no width. Deeney was a masterclass in target play and don’t get me started on that cocky get who grabbed three goals.....

[Des Parrot]

Game was lost before kick-off. Hopeless selection. Horrendous tactics. NW totally to blame.

He needs to explain why when we've been playing our best football of the season he radically changed things to such a detrimental effect.

[Heisenberg]

Change a defence that has been largely solid over the last few games. I’d be glad for you to enlighten me with your superior tactical understanding on that one.

Clearly it was an enforced change as Peltier wasn't even on the bench, so he must have been injured. We've played a back 3 (Peltier, Manga and Bamba) in the last 3 games with Bennett and Paterson as wing backs... Paterson being given more licence to attack (and less responsibility to defend) than Bennett for obvious reasons.

I can more than understand the frustration with the performance and the way the team were set out at times, but I'm surprised that people can't realise why certain changes were made... Especially bringing in the only available centre back in our squad to continue a (previously) working formula.

Warnock obviously got things wrong tonight, but the separate mistakes that were made by the entire defence cannot be defended.

Warnock takes a lot of the responsibility for the performance tonight, but the players also need to look at themselves.

[NYCBlue]

There are going to be a few captain hindsight's on tonight so good to get it in early

I thought we had a decent first half vs a good side

Second half the wheels have come off

Pretty simple and no need for everyone to lose their shit

We can discuss last night's game for a bit though right? Or do we have to pretend it didn't happen?

[AfricanBluebird]

But tonight the tactics and team selection were inexcusable.

Yes... three huge decisions that Warnock got wrong last night

1) putting Morrison back in when he clearly lacked sharpness and that disrupted a pretty solid back 4 of recent weeks... peltier has been surprisingly good (a specialist right back) while Morrison had been out and manga much better in the centre.... absolutely appalling decision

2) dropping gunner... we know Watford are a quality team and the back 4 needed protecting, plus gunner organises things... our midfield failed last night, another appalling decision

3) Bobby Reid scored two in the last home game and was good against Southampton... forming a great understanding with Niasse... why oh why would anyone in their right mind drop him???

I known people have questioned Neil’s credentials at this level but these three decisions, which are not hindsight because they were being talked a little before kick off, are pretty basic mistakes aren’t they

[Des Parrot]

Yes... three huge decisions that Warnock got wrong last night

4) The ridiculous man marking tactic which time & again saw our fullbacks pulled on the wrong side & our centre halves in midfield. It led to total lack of shape & all the space Watford needed.

5) the inability to recognise this & alter the fomation

6) playing without a #10 left a huge hole for Decoure to go unchallenged all night & run the game from.

Warnock's worst game in charge by an absolute mile.

[the other bob wilson]

The difference between the sides was significantly bigger at their place than in the first half tonight, I was pleasantly surprised that they weren't cutting us to ribbons every 30 seconds. Maybe my standards are a bit low but it's better being like that than some of these guys in the match thread who sound like they are ready to behead our Neil.

Neil Warnock gets more fan praise than probably any other manager in our history, but I thought he, Blackwell and Jepson had a bit of a mare last night. Watford are a good side, but they don't often hammer sides like they did us. We made it easy for them last night by having too few men in the areas where they were strong - a central midfield of two was ridiculous.

[goats]

Yes... three huge decisions that Warnock got wrong last night

1) putting Morrison back in when he clearly lacked sharpness and that disrupted a pretty solid back 4 of recent weeks... peltier has been surprisingly good (a specialist right back) while Morrison had been out and manga much better in the centre.... absolutely appalling decision

2) dropping gunner... we know Watford are a quality team and the back 4 needed protecting, plus gunner organises things... our midfield failed last night, another appalling decision

3) Bobby Reid scored two in the last home game and was good against Southampton... forming a great understanding with Niasse... why oh why would anyone in their right mind drop him???

I known people have questioned Neil’s credentials at this level but these three decisions, which are not hindsight because they were being talked a little before kick off, are pretty basic mistakes aren’t they

I wonder if we will recover from this game last night, when we look back at the end of the season it will be pivotal I reckon.

[Vindec]

According to an interview on Talk Sport this morning the reason for so many changes was due to a lot of illness in the camp. That is not the only reason we got hammered but with a stronger team we could have done better. However, tactically man to man marking against players who are quick simply does not work but you have to hand it to Watford as they are a very good side on a winning streak.

[SABlue]

Morrison was shambolic tonight. He should never have been brought straight back into the team. Defence recently has been quite solid so why disrupt it.

^ THIS ^