Watford 2 Crystal Palace 0: Warnock spins defeat into a comedy turn

Mike Rowbottom
Monday 07 January 2008 01:00 GMT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Crystal Palace may not be in today's FA Cup fourth round draw, but their irrepressible manager Neil Warnock did not appear inconsolable after a game in which his team had succumbed to two towering headers either side of half-time by Watford's centre-half Dan Shittu.

While the Championship high-flyers celebrated their first home win since 20 October, Warnock whose post-match offerings more often resemble comedy riffs than press conferences produced yet another virtuoso performance in which he managed to offer Watford a classic back-handed compliment before claiming victory for himself. Not in the short term, you understand, but in the long term.

Warnock had indicated that he was not exactly up for the Cup by giving appearances to five teenagers and a reserve 'keeper, but he was quite rightly delighted with the way his youngsters acquitted themselves, notably his 15-year-old midfielder John Bostock and hyperactive 17-year-old winger Sean Scannell.

"I had a go at winning the Cup," Warnock said. "I went to the semi with Sheffield United and if I was in Watford's position I would have a go at it. I understand why they played a full team. I hope they win the Cup. But I felt there were more advantages for us to be blooding two or three lads at a difficult place. I think we did better out of it."

Before Shittu settled their nerves with his second goal, Aidy Boothroyd's team were twice outraged by penalty appeals that were turned down. But Warnock, with a gleam in his eye, had his own take. "I don't think any referee in the country could have a good game involving Watford," he said. "Because they haven't got time. They are too busy trying to keep up with where the ball is.

"The way Watford play is not outside the rules. I'm not saying its my cup of tea. I don't think they can change quite rightly, because it's a winning formula in the Championship, so why change? Aidy knows they will have to change slightly if they go up, though. West Bromwich and Watford are like chalk and cheese. If I had to pay to watch football I'd watch Arsenal. West Brom are the Arsenal of our League." And with that, our career diplomat was gone...

Goals: Shittu (28) 1-0; Shittu (65) 2-0.

Watford (4-4-2): Lee; Doyley, DeMerit, Shittu (Mariappa, 86), Stewart (Ellington 80); Smith, Francis, Williamson, McAnuff; King, Henderson (Priskin, 80). Substitutes not used: Poom (gk), O'Toole.

Crystal Palace (4-5-1): Flinders; Lawrence, Fonte (Hill, 80), Hudson, Hills; Morrison (Hall, 72), Fletcher, Watson, Bostock (Moses, 62), Scannell; Scowcroft. Substitutes not used: Martin, Freedman.

Referee: L Mason (Lancs).

Man of the match: McAnuff.

Attendance: 10,480.

Call from Capello?

John Bostock (Crystal Palace)

With Palace's other teens, Sean Scannell, Lee Hills, Victor Moses and Ryan Hall, is one for after 2010 World Cup.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in