Simon Francis

Watched the game from MS just NS side of the fans tunnel.

Watched first half on Sky later when I got home and Simon Francis had a very good game and had Saha well covered, that Saha instead of trying to beat him was passing back or to someone else.

Expected more from Saha and Townsend last night, not given the opportunity by our players.
 
Franno was superb last night and proved a lot of people wrong including myself.

I don’t think we should forget though the help he received from Brooks who’s defensive work was exemplary.

The two of them completely nullified the threat from Zahahaha and not many teams achieve that.

If Ibe showed the same willingness to defend he might feature more often but you can see why Brooks gets the nod.
 
...yep hats off to Francis who proved me wrong last night, as I thought that Zaha would have him on toast last night...but I guess Franno's experience shouldn't be underestimated like it is is sometimes?
 
I know people like to call Francis too old and too slow but I've never felt he's been that slow in a straight line foot race. Its when the tricky wingers start twisting and turning he has the most difficulties.

We were very clever last night doubling up on him with Brooks. Zaha had no space to try all his tricks and physically Francis was able to cope with him quite comfortably.
 
Franno played well last night and was helped out by Brooks and L Cook, Zaha didn't seem to want to even try to get passed Franno at any stage which is very surprising as I would have expected him to, he was very subdued, maybe too much talk about getting whacked and refs not protecting him was playing on his mind.
 
Franno played well last night and was helped out by Brooks and L Cook, Zaha didn't seem to want to even try to get passed Franno at any stage which is very surprising as I would have expected him to, he was very subdued, maybe too much talk about getting whacked and refs not protecting him was playing on his mind.
...he shouldn't have been worried Franno is too slow to catch him on good day...but maybe all this stuff about him getting protection has got into his head and is playing with his natural instincts?
 
What puzzled me is why Zaha didn't switch wings with Townsend. I don't think he has got a football brain. He drifted into the middle a bit in the second half and after a lucky rebound set up their offside goal but he could have pulled our plans apart if he had switched around a bit.
 
For all the stick I've given him, he was absolutely imperious last night. Up against supposedly "the best player outside the big 6", who hardly got a sniff. So I say well done man! Really hard call for MOTM I thought between Franno and Lerma (IMHO), but for the stick he gets, Francis deserves a special mention after that shift last night.

He was superb last night. He did what he does and had Zaha in his pocket all night. Easily criticised but as you say, imperious last night.
 
I think Zaha needs the fouls to gee him it. It motivates him. Franno and the others played him well. They did not dive in they stood up and close and watched the ball not his feet.

The Watford way explained by Deeney was to take it in turns to kick him! A fair reflection of that club!
 
...he shouldn't have been worried Franno is too slow to catch him on good day...but maybe all this stuff about him getting protection has got into his head and is playing with his natural instincts?
Franno would never catch him once he has gone by him, but he just did what all fullbacks do, against pace and trickery. Very puzzling why he didn't try get in behind him, he just didn't seem up for it last night...not taking anything away from Franno and the support he received.
 

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