Football is back
By Matt Rowson
You quickly learn not to be surprised by anything in
Amsterdam. The numerous coffee shops and associated
smells, the unreal red light district, even the sight
of young kids in Dam Square covered in pigeons eating
from their hands doesn't attract attention. No, not
many surprises.
Except... if you wandered down Damstraat from Dam
Square on Friday afternoon and took a right along the
canal down Vorburgwaal you might have been forced to
do a double take.
Susie's Saloon is busy; heaving even. But unlike the
other bars and cafes which pepper this area of the
city, the clientele are not a hotchpotch of tourists
from assorted destinations. For starters, they're all
in yellow shirts.
There are maybe eighty Watford fans here. Outside the
window of the bar hangs a large flag bearing the
George Cross, with Harry the Hornet grinning from its
centre. The mood is celebratory and indulgent.
Onlookers watch on in casual bemusement. An Arsenal
fan, here for the Gunners' games at the Amsterdam
Arena, meanders past, doubles back, and is sucked into
the throng. Two policemen cycle up. One asks whether
Watford is a cricket team, to loud guffaws. Then they
cycle off. An accordion player is coersed into
playing the derdly-der song; the consequences are
predictable, and it proves a profitable decision for
the busker whose profits are inflated by the energetic
money collection of a member of the Watford party.
Several hours later, the chartered coaches carrying
the travelling Hornets are approaching their
destination. A stadium is spotted through the trees
to noisy but premature celebration... we're still in
Nijmegen, and NEC's ground is several levels superior
to what awaits us in Groesbeek. When we finally
arrive, twenty minutes before kick-off, we find the
Groesbeek stadium barely at Conference standard,
although the ability to wander around the edge of the
pitch is a benefit exploited by the Hornets who dot
the four sides of the ground.
"Top OSS on a Friday night" murmurs one of the Hornets
as the match kicks off. It is said that anybody who
watches football regularly purely for the enjoyment of
the sport will live a miserable life; that goes double
here, as the match is far from a classic. The Arsenal
fan seems happy enough though, having been coersed
onto the coaches; a pleasant distraction on a summer's
evening.
Watford line up in a 4-4-2 formation with Nigel Gibbs
partnering Robert Page in the centre of defence.
Immediate attention is drawn to the new signings
Baardsen and Nielsen, and both impress immediately.
Baardsen has little to do, particularly in the first
half, but is a massive presence in the area and
bullishly takes charge whenever the ball does wander
in his direction.
Nielsen is everywhere, an immediately authoritative
figure in the centre of the park. One minute he is
tidying up at the back, the next he is bombing into
the penalty area attacking whatever balls are thrown
in for him. Above all though he is in charge, aware
of everything that's going on around him and directing
Watford's attacking play.
Not, it must be said, that many chances are created by
the Hornets, despite the visitors dominating in terms
of possession. Oss are a Dutch second division side,
a fact concealed by the paucity of the venue for this
game, and their defensive movement and covering - as
well as a commanding and agile performance from their
keeper - keep Watford at bay.
Best bet for a breakthrough seems to be through Wooter
down the right, who twists, jinks and turns eagerly
for ninety minutes. Still not enough final product, but
the enthusiasm is unquestionable. Tommy Smith also
looks eager, and is perhaps unlucky that his spinning
and bold running yields nothing.
The second half sees Perpetuini on for Robinson at
left back. Still more Watford possession but several
players, notably Nielsen, seem to be tiring. A
warning shot is fired when Oss break and Gibbs is
roasted for pace before a poor finish saves the
Hornets. After seventy minutes however the deadlock is
broken... again, Gibbs' lack of pace is exploited and
the Oss striker finishes low and firm. Gibbs'
awareness and understanding of the game has enabled
him to do some effortless tidying up for the Hornets,
but it looks like we need to avoid depending much on
his fleetness of foot in future.
Oss bring on an enormous substitute, large in every
direction, which possibly influences the decision to
bring off Tommy Smith. Oss's hooped shirts contribute
to a certain impression, betrayed when one wag shouts
"you can't head the ball in rugby league pal".
Watford put on more pressure, the ball bounces around
indecisively in the Oss box and is cleared. Baardsen
makes one stunning block as Oss's attack is
invigorated by their goal. Foley, on for Smith, sends
a flying scissor kick over the bar and the game is
over.
Not a bad thing, perhaps. An undefeated pre-season
can do dangerous things to a side's (over)confidence,
and we're much better off losing this one than losing
to Huddersfield.
As the Hornets troop back to their coaches, someone
waves energetically to the players warming down.
Kenny Jackett waves back.
Football is back. Sort of. And it feels great.
