"I was gesturing for the fans to calm down" - Bachmann on Rookery reaction
Goalkeeper Dan Bachmann has responded to claims he made a gesture towards fans in the Rookery End on Saturday by saying it was an attempt to calm them down.
A number of supporters in the Rookery End contacted the Watford Observer immediately after the game to say Bachmann had made a hand gesture in their direction, some going as far as to say it was offensive.
The keeper, who was later stretchered off with an ankle ligament injury that will sideline him for a few months, admitted gesturing but said it was nothing more than him attempting to quell frustrations.
“There was a bit of booing and jeering when one or two things didn't go so well,” he explained to the club’s official website.
“I remember raising my hands and gesturing for the fans to calm down; a bit of reset before they got carried away with their frustrations.”
The keeper echoed what he had said earlier this season - that the Vicarage Road faithful have been key to the strong home form.
“It's been noticeably different this year. The gaffer has talked about reconnecting with the fans at home and building something new,” he said.
“I do hear the frustrations sometimes - of course I do, I'm right in front of the Rookery in the first half.
“But no one is going to let a couple of difficult moments and difficult results take away from the connection we've built between the team and our fans. It's special to us and it's been vital in winning so many points at The Vic.”
By the end of the game, Bachmann was on a stretcher with what, at first sight, looked like an extremely serious injury.
While it’s not a dislocated ankle or ruptured Achilles’ tendon, the ligament damage he sustained is enough to rule him out for two or three months.
“I think it was more shock than pain at the time because I heard a popping sound and thought I heard a crack,” recalled the Austrian.
“I clutched my Achilles initially, probably instinctively to check as that's probably the worst injury you can get these days.
“Although it wasn't that, you have a sense when something's definitely not right and I knew straight away I was in trouble.
“We're going to decide next whether an operation is the route to go down.
“I’ve not had to deal with anything major at all since I turned pro, so I suppose I should feel grateful it's only now I'm getting my share of bad luck.
“I did have ten months out with a back injury when I was 17, but since then it's only ever been a week or so with hamstring strains and stuff like that.”
Bachmann registered his 138th Watford appearance on Saturday, but will now have to wait before homing in on the 150-mark.
“We're in the middle of a push for the play-offs, so it's extra annoying to know I'm going to be working in the gym and away from the group while the lads are out training,” he said.
“You can't ever know you're going to be out injured but you accept it's one of the risks of the industry, so I've got to fully face into that now.”
