Watford 2 Burnley 1, Saturday 30th November 2002
The referee's assistant's a wanker
The statistics said...
We lost 2-1 away at our previous good hunting ground of Vicarage Road. Icelandic forward Heidar Helguson put the Hornets ahead in the 40th minute. Local boy Tommy Smith added another from the penalty spot in the 72nd minute - the free kick given against Mark McGregor, who was sent off. Gareth Taylor pulled one back for Burnley just four minutes later, but it wasn't enough.
Our survey said...
Paddy
We dominated the first half, without really creating any clear-cut chances. Watford's first goal came after they got a free kick; our marking was poor, and the guy who scored got a free header. Their second goal came when Tommy Smith was miles offside, but the fat, useless linesman - who was around 10 yards behind play - didn't give it. Instead, when McGregor tried to win the ball in the box, the same linesman flagged for a penalty, and told the ref that McGregor should be sent off.
Firmo
I'm a bit disappointed about today. I hate losing at Watford - it's a joke town, and they're a joke football club with joke supporters.
We were so much on top in the first half, and we utterly dominated the game - but we didn't have enough shots. When we were on top, we didn't make it count, and we paid for it. Alan Moore was particularly culpable. He had a lot of the ball, but every time he was called upon to make a decision he chickened out. After being on top, we then let Watford in with a naff piece of defending. Free header in the box!
In the second half, the officials decided to kick us while we were down, and Watford were awarded a penalty for nothing when their player was offside. The linesman, who was never anywhere near play, decided that McGregor should be sent off. What for? That linesman gave so many bad decisions today. It would help if he was fucking fit. It would also help if the Watford players decided to stay on their feet occasionally. What a bunch of cheating, diving bastards. The number 9, Smith, is a big fat cheat.
Lee
Tony Grant was fantastic today. The linesman was a cheating bastard. Watford's forwards were cheating bastards too. Watford is shite. I'm never coming here again - I will give you twenty pounds if I ever come here again*.
Our full-backs were all over the place today, and gave Watford's wingers far too much space. Alan Moore is completely gutless - he had 2 chances to either shoot or put a cross in, and he didn't do anything on either of them.
*Editor's note: thanks in advance for your money, Lee!
Nic
The referee was a cheat, and so was the linesman. Very disappointing - my first game this season, as well.
Hozzo
As well as the result, I went to the wrong pub to start with, left my two bears* at home, and don't feel too good - so a very disappointing day. And it's raining!
The ref and one of the linesmen seemed to be on a different planet. Oh well - I look forward to the next home League game on Saturday. Another chance to see David Johnson...I look forward to getting another bear*.
*Editor's note: John buys a new bear from the Club Shop after every home League defeat - hence two bears so far. Obviously he doesn't fancy our chances against Forest!
Wayne
From Burnley's point of view the first half was very good, except that they tended to make one pass too many. They should have taken shots. The second half was a non-event - thanks very much to the linesman and the referee.
As regards the players: in the first half, Grant was very good; and Robbie Blake and Ian Moore kept on working as usual. I'm not really impressed with Watford - in any sense.
Woody
I'm bemused as to how we lost the game. We seemed to control large portions of it. Also, in our game last week, Norwich's goalkeeper handled outside the area and wasn't even cautioned, yet today we had a player sent off (by a linesman who was yards away) for trying to go for the ball.
Weller got clattered early on, and the ref did nothing. In the second half, Papa was hauled down, and even the Watford players stopped, awaiting the free kick. At the moment, we seem to be the victims of double standards. I'm just waiting for us to get some of these biased decisions. I've been waiting for five years for someone to be sent off for clattering Little, and I'm still waiting.
Pic of the day: "And may we suggest a place for that flag?"
As with all articles on the site, the views expressed in the vox pop section are those of the individual contributors, and do not necessarily reflect the view of the Burnley FC London Supporters Club.
