Common Goals- Swansea City 1 Watford 1

We are now, of course, desperately short of players. Well, experienced players. The inclusion today of Marvin Sordell and Lee Hodson rather proves that point.

But football has never been just about having the best players. That's why its so much better than rugby. The sheer unpredictability is what makes it so much more entertaining. The types of teams that often do well, who don't have the best players, usually find a common reason or goal that makes them that much stronger as a group.

The goals to bring this team of journeymen, youngsters and loanees together seem to get more numerous by the day. Judas, first of all going, followed by his vile attempts to get Tommy on the cheap, everyone writing the team off because Tommy and to a far far lesser extent Jobi have gone, and now Mike Williamson going home saying he doesn't want to play with his teammates anymore 'cos he is too good for them.

I think their reaction today was fantastic. We could so easily have got heavily beaten in this fixture and no-one would've been at all surprised. But instead we almost won the game. And we'd have taken a draw before kick off so lets not get downhearted to come away with a point. We're doing okay. 5 games in, six points, mid table. That'll do. Lets re-group over the international break and come out fighting even stronger and prove just how strong this group of players can be together as a team.

Unfit to Play?

Its amazing how your opinion of someone can plummet in the space of a couple of days.

Okay, Williamson so you don't want to play for us anymore. Do you think Portsmouth or any other future employer will be impressed by this sort of behaviour? What if it goes brilliantly for you at Portsmouth for the next few months and then Man City come calling in January? Are you going to do the same then?

I guess its fine doing it on the way up but what then happens on your way back down the leagues?

Part of me hopes we keep you just to prove a point, but at the same time, I don't really think its financially viable for us to do that sort of thing. So lets cash him in and get rid of him. And he better not moan if he ever plays for a team against us at the abuse he is going to get. You've brought it all on yourself mate.

End of Summer Sales

I didn't expect to feel exhilarated when Tommy left the Vic but the way he has rubbed Judas' nose in it by stringing him along has made me quite euphoric this afternoon with the news he has joined Portsmouth.

Many many thanks Tommy for all you did for us. You were brilliant and will be welcomed back to the Vic warmly whatever shirt you happen to be wearing.

Judas has obviously gone into panic mode with the news he's managed to get McAnuff instead. To be honest, good riddance. I don't really have much time for a player who clearly has the ability but can only be bothered to turn it on when it suits him. He's been rubbish for us this season and I think we're well rid of him, not least of all 'cos I never could remember to spell his name properly in this blog (is it two n's and one f, two of each, one of each, I'm buggered if I know). I just hope Jobes can't be arsed at the MadStad either, even if he is now with his best mate.

With all of this (sort of) good news, there had to be a catch. Portsmouth have been a bit too enthusiastic and have gone for Mike Williamson as well. This afternoon the situation has quickly moved from a bid being made, to us turning it down, to the player wanting to leave, to him putting in a transfer request to us turning that down as well.

Good work Jimmy and Vince. We need MW for a start. He has been the difference in our defence between the shambles it was under Aidy and now. If we sell him then Jay really will be in charge again and it will be chaos unless MM is thinking of becoming Player Manager. Even if we are offered crazy money lets wait until January so we'll have time to think. Over the next five days lets just concentrate on trying to get in someone to replace Tommy.

As for Mike suddenly wanting to go, I find it rather ironic that he played happily for four years at a club in Division 4. Now suddenly after less than a year with us he's looking to move on again. I'm sure he'll get over having to stay put for another five months or a year and doesn't seem one to do a McAnnuuff and stop performing just 'cos he's in a strop. So lets just say no for now. Please, no matter what Portsmouth happen to come back with.

Swansea City v Watford- Previously...

As last season much was made of the fact we hadn't played Swansea for 25 years I imagined fixtures between us were rare. But actually we met the Swans several times in the 20's, 40's, 60's and 70's. In all we've played them 38 times, winning 13, drawing 7 and losing 18. We've scored 54 goals to their 60, and both our biggest wins and losses were by 3 goals on several occassions.

Our record away at the Liberty Stadium and before it the Vetch Field is pretty poor. We've played 20 times, winning 3, drawing 3 and losing 14. Travelling down to Swansea Town, as they were then, when we met them in the old Division 3 days must have been an extremely depressing experience as we never managed to beat them in over 50 years of trying. It wasn't until May 1977 that we managed an away win, a 4-1 victory slightly making up for the years of hurt. Six years later we won 3-1 there in our first season in Division One.

After not playing for a quarter of a century, last season we were away to Swansea twice in three days under the temporary stewardship of one Malky Mackay. We went down 3-1 on a foul wet Sunday after Lee Williamson had put us ahead. Just re-reading my comments about the game it was interesting to note that I'd queried MM's substitution choices back then. Little more than 48 hours later we made amends by winning a Carling Cup 4th Round tie 1-0, Williamson again was the scorer.

The last time we met was in February as we recorded a mightly impressive 2-0 victory at Vicarage Road over a Swansea side who'd just received several plaudits for dumping Fulham out of the FA Cup. It was probably Judas' finest hour as our manager.

Swansea's start to the season hasn't exactly changed my opinion that Paolo Sousa probably wasn't the man to replace Roberto Matinez. They lost on the opening day to Leicester, went down 3-0 at Middlesborough, drew 0-0 with Judas before winning 1-0 at Coventry on Saturday. In the Carling Cup they beat Brighton in the first round, before being involved in what would've been the most talked about tie of Tuesday night, if it hadn't been for some idiots at Upton Park.

Having made all three subs they equalised against Scunthorpe with ten minutes to go before having a player sent off and their goalscorer going off injured. In extra time they then had a further two players red carded before another player got injured but had no choice but to carry on. During all of this Scunthorpe scored a penalty and so they'll be in the next round draw on Saturday.

As far as I can see there are no links at all between the current players on either side. Even mutual friends are hard to find. The best I can come up with from recent times is my mate Kenny Jackett and then the motley crew of Des Lyttle, Paul Miller, Paul Atkinson and Gary Chivers.

Shock?- Leeds United 2 Watford 1 (a.e.t)

According to the young bloke struggling to do Soccer (not) Saturday tonight amid the chaos happening at West Ham this result is a shock. Really? I can't say I was particularly surprised.

As ever with the Carling Cup its nice to be involved but once you're out, you do think that its good to be able to concentrate on the League, especially as all this extra time must be taking its toll.

Also this match seemed very much overshadowed by events not at Upton Park but Fratton Park. Obviously Tommy is going but if he really is about to stick two fingers up at Rodgers then he'll leave as even more of a legend than he already is.

Leeds United v Watford- Previously

Surprisingly it took until October 1984 until we met Leeds in a competitive game. Since then we've played them 13 times, winning 5, drawing 3 and losing 5, scoring 19 goals and conceding 15. Our biggest win was in that first meeting, a 4-0 away victory in the Third Round of the Milk Cup, as the League Cup was then. What a quant sponsorship idea that now seems (although it pleasingly lives on in Northern Ireland). Our biggest loss was in our penultimate away fixture of our 99/2000 Premiership season when we lost 3-1 at Elland Road.

In the six games we've played up there we've won 2, drawn 1 and lost 3. The other win was in the old Division 2 when Steve Harrison's Watford came away with a 1-0 victory thanks to a Glyn Hodges goal.

Our only other cup meeting was the glorious 2-1 victory over Eric Cantona's reigning top flight champions in 1992. Again, in the 3rd Round of the League Cup (it had swapped milk for Coca-Cola by then) David Holdsworth headed in from a free kick and Jason Drysdale converted a penalty to earn us probably the most impressive win of the Perryman era.

Little should need to be said about our last meeting against Leeds and if you don't know why, you're probably someone who stumbled across this site by searching for 'watford' and 'prostitution' on Google (I slightly regret posting that article about the Stanford Super Series).

Leeds start to the season sounds impressive as they've won all five games so far. However when you then hear that these were against Exeter, Darlington, Wycombe, Walsall and Tranmere it isn't quite so eye-opening.

There are plenty of mutual friends between the sides but of the current squads only Danny Graham has played for both sides before, going on loan to Leeds for three games when he was at Middlesbrough. Former 'Orns midfielder Neil Redfearn is currently Leeds United's Under 18 coach.

Neal Eardley

I enjoyed the reception he received yesterday from the home support as he was announced in the Blackpool team. Those who applauded might like to know that Neal ARDLEY who used to play for us retired early in the 07/08 season and now works as Cardiff City's academy manager. Eardley, as far as I can see, has no links with the Horns.

Thomas William Smith- Watford 2 Blackpool 2

You'll have heard this many times already in many different reports but, yet again, today emphasized just how important Thomas William Smith is to Watford. He was brilliant for the whole game, always trying, always causing problems, scoring one goal and making the other. If he goes we'll be half the side we currently are.

Looking back through my 25 years plus of watching Watford the only other player I can think who was so consistently a class above everybody else, both in comparison to his own team and the opposition, was Ronnie Rosenthal and his Watford playing career was in the 'Third Tier' and lasted less than six months.

I hope Tommy understands that the huge cheer his name gets when announced and the many renditions of his song that were sung today are our way, the only way we can try and get across to him how much he means to us. How desperate we all are that he won't go anywhere at all, let alone bloody Reading. We need you Tommy!

As for the rest of the 11 it was the first time I've seen us this season when we truly impressed. In fact, we played so well it was difficult to accept we were coming away from the game without all three points. I wouldn't quite go as far as to say we dominated the game, but we were far more inventive than Blackpool. We've rediscovered some of the slick moves we played under Judas and used them to good effect today. We probably deserved another 4-2 scoreline after Cowie and Eustace both hit the bar with superb shots.

I'd struggle to pick anyone who had a truly bad game. The Blackpool goals were very scrappy affairs where it was difficult to tell if anyone was in the wrong. The first one possibly didn't even cross the line. But the ref seemed to feel he had to make up for our first in which the Blackpool defence thought Graham had committed a foul when he won the ball before laying it off for Tommy to open the scoring. Our second came from a Smith cross who'd done wonderfully getting down the line which Tom Cleverley slotted home. He looks a good find, not quite as impressive as Adam Johnson, but with some of the tricks and a lot of the same desire.

Ian Holloway has already moulded Blackpool into his sort of team, moaning and aruging their way through the match, confronting the ref both at half and full time and after both our goals. He was constantly on at the fourth official, waving his arms around and showing his displeasure even if we won a throw in. Malky on the other hand, always seems to be an oasis of calm, just gently encouraging the team and occassionally consulting with Dyche.

I feel Malky's only mistake today was, yet again, with the subs. Severin for Eustace was definitely a good move as Eustace just looks like he's got more about him than Scott. He also gives our team a necessary bit of bite which otherwise is quite lacking in a Robbo sort of way. But Cowie for Harley was just wrong as Jon came on and was instantly far slower than Don had been. Then bringing off Cleverley who already looks like he's settled in, for Henri Lansbury who looked like he hasn't (and fair play he's only been with us 24 hours) just disrupted us even more during the four added minutes when we were searching for a winner.

We greeted the final whistle with the kind of noise we usually make if we've won. The whole team deserved it, but we were giving that extra bit more in appreciation of one man. I do hope the small wave he gave us in return was nothing more than an acknowledgement of the applause he was getting.

Watford v Blackpool- Previously...

We've faced Blackpool 15 times in all competitions winning 6, drawing 6 and losing 3. Our biggest win over them was a 5-1 victory in our first home league game of the 78/79 season which would see us promoted from the old Division 3. Our biggest loss was a 5-0 away thrashing on New Year's Day 1972. What a great start to the year that must have been.

At the Vic we've met 7 times, winning 3, drawing 2 and losing 2. One of those two losses was, of course, last season when they came back from 1-0 and 3-1 down to inflict the final fatal 4-3 loss on Aidy's Watford career.

Blackpool have drawn their three games in the Championship so far at home to Derby and Cardiff and at QPR. Their only win was 2-1 away in the Carling Cup to Crewe.

To make tomorrow more interesting the Seasiders recently signed Al Bangura on a non-contract basis. He was an unused sub in Tuesday night's 0-0 draw with Derby. Like us they have just signed an 18 year old Arsenal midfielder on loan, theirs being Jay Emmanuel-Thomas who has also played with Henri Lansbury in the England Under 19 squad. Danny Graham is the one other player with a link between the sides having been loaned out to Blackpool in 2006 when he was at Middlesbrough appearing 4 times and scoring one goal.

Cleverly- Nottingham Forest 2 Watford 4

Brilliant. Didn't see that coming at all. Four goals away from home! Words like clinical finishing being used in the reports I've read so far.

I guess we shouldn't get too carried away in that Tommy seemed to be the instigator for much of it, but whilst I wasn't there, I can't believe that Cleverley didn't have an effect as well. A great signing by MM and nice to see that for whatever reason we still seem to be on good terms with Sir Alex.

Bring on the 'Pool. As long as no-one departs before then I suddenly feel the waves of optimism that were present before kick off against Donnie again.

Nottingham Forest v Watford- Previously...

Our record against Forest isn't too bad considering that in my memory they were one of only two teams (Spurs being the other) that we always seemed to struggle against back in the heady days of the Old First Division. Of 38 competitive matches we've won 10, drawing 14 and losing 14. We've scored 46 goals against them whilst conceeding 56. 'The Old' Ross Jenkins is our most lethal striker against them with five goals.

At the City Ground the stats are less impressive with us winning just 3 times in 18 visits, drawing 6 times and losing 9. Our biggest win there was a 2-0 victory in October 2000 just before the wheels completely fell off in Taylor's last season in charge. Micah Hyde got both goals. Our biggest losses there were a 7-3 defeat in the 3rd Round of the 1982/3 League Cup and a 5-1 reverse in the Old First Division a week and a half before our FA Cup Final appearance. Talking of the League Cup Forest were the opponents when we made it to the Semi Final of the 78/9 competition. We lost 3-1 away in the first leg before holding the team that would go on to be European Champions 0-0 at Vicarage Road.

They were our second away match of last season as well. We went down 3-2 despite Tommy Smith twice getting us back on level terms. In the home game we won more easily than the 2-1 scoreline suggests with Rasiak and Priskin getting our goals. Re-reading the report now it seem more like 5 years ago than just 5 months.

The only player to have links with both clubs is Will Hoskins who we lent to Forest in Feb 2008 for the rest of the season. We even agreed a deal that would have seen him move there permanently if things had worked out. However after just two games he suffered a back injury and returned to the Vic at the end of his loan spell.

So far this season Forest drew away with Judas 0-0 on the opening day, beat Bradford 3-0 at home in the Cup and went down 1-0 thanks to an own goal on Saturday against West Brom.

The news this evening that we have signed midfielder Tom Cleverley until January from Man Utd makes me feel slightly more hopeful than I did driving back from Yorkshire on Saturday. Lets hope he is more Jack Cork than Liam Bridcutt.

Front Row Seat- Sheffield United 2 Watford 0

I guess if you bother to read these ramblings at all its not because you are after an in depth match report. That was never the point of this blog because you can get those here, here and usually here although I can't find their one today. Quite what the point is I'm not sure. I suppose I use it to indulge my anorak side. Also it gives me something to do whilst my kids watch Sonic Underground.

Any-way, even if I did proper match reports I wouldn't have been able to provide you with one from Bramall Lane because I was in the unfortunate position of being in the front row. There are some events where this would be the premium position but at a football match I reckon its the worst place you can be. Behind the drains and pillars at Barnet I still had a better view than I did level with the pitch and behind the goal in Yorkshire.

It did have some benefits. We were able to shout at the players and believe that they could actually hear us. A bloke near me possibly succeeded in putting off Mark Bunn by yelling something about his manhood just as he mis-hit a goalkick. We witnessed Darius and DeMerit engaged in what I guess was sledging all first half. We saw Loach and DeMerit have words at one point. And many hours later I saw myself on The Football League Show as United scored their opening goal. Admittedly I was just a blur in a black shirt but it was sitting where I was, so I guess it was me.

Whilst on the subject of that show am I the only one who hates it? I thought having the League on the BBC would be good, and it definitely is great having highlights on their website, although they seem to take ages to appear. But the FL show seems to be a horrible hybrid of The One Show, Six-O-Six and MOTD. We really don't need a girl (it was never going to be a bloke was it?) reading out the thoughts of the fans, or those slightly condescending quirky reports from grounds where something interesting might happen (Norwich City's visit to Exeter being tonight's one). And will Newcastle always be the first game featured? Can't we just have a longer MOTD? After all Shearer could give his insights into the team he took down.

Back to Bramall Lane, or as the announcer insisted on calling it Beautiful Downtown Bramall Lane. This was okay once, and is possibly true when compared to the rest of Sheffield City Centre, but to say it every time you say the name of the ground just sounds stupid. We lined up as we did against Doncaster apart from Ellington who played in place of Don Cowie who was apparently injured. He does seem quite prone doesn't he? Tommy Smith moved back into the midfield.

We seemed to start well but after 12 minutes didn't defend a simple cross and Jamie Ward, who isn't much bigger than your average Smurf, easily knocked the ball past Loach. From then on neither the team or the fans seemed to have any belief at all that we'd get back into the game. In fact our singing was minimal all day, in stark contrast to the Donnie and Barnet games. But this probably shouldn't surprise because this team just doesn't look like it can live with the Sheffield Uniteds of the division even when those rumoured to be out the door before the transfer window closes are included.

Maybe this is almost part of the trouble. Tommy Smith and Jobi McAnuff are both playing like they have other things on their minds. Nathan Ellington, I guess, is only being played in the hope that someone takes him off our hands. I wonder whether MM would be better playing the team we are likely to become, rather than persevering with this one that isn't working anyway. Even if they do suddenly gel, we'll have to start all over again at the beginning of September anyway.

I do think it would be worth taking a punt of JJOT and Will Hoskins. They are both proven goalscorers and always look like they have the desire to play whereas the same couldn't be said for some of those who have started in the team before them so far this season.

It was no surprise in the second half when, after a bundle of bodies had descended on our goal (which was now down the other end to me), three and a half stands went mental signalling a second Blades goal.

Our chances were few and far between and the only one I can remember on target was a limp Graham header towards the end of the game. Malky again seemed late in his substitutions waiting until United started bringing people on before making a change despite us being 2 down. Starvin' Marvin Sordell replaced Nathan despite the whole lower tier of the Bramall Lane stand being desperate for McAnuff to be the one going off. How quick the fans favourite (or least favourite) pecking order can change. Eventually we got our wish when Jon Harley came on five minutes later.

Bizarrely Malky brought Michael Bryan on for Danny Graham with just seconds remaining. Surely we didn't need to be the ones wasting time? But, I guess, by then it was pointless thinking we could get back into a game we'd looked out of since the 12th minute.

Sheffield United v Watford- Previously...

However you try and dress up the stats of previous encounters against the Blades we do not have a good record against them. Whether you go back to our encounters of the 60's and 70's, the period when they became our bogey team with Bassett in charge or the last 10 or so matches it doesn't make happy reading. Only around the Millennium did we seem to regularly beat them.

Of 39 competitive games we've won just 9, drawn 12 and lost 18. We've scored 41 goals against them but conceded 56. Our biggest win was the 5-0 FA Cup Third Round thrashing at Vicarage Road in 1985 in which Luther scored four. The biggest defeat was a 4-0 away Second Round Second Leg League Cup loss in 1997 which saw us go down 5-1 on aggregate, however we were in the division below them then.

At Bramall Lane, in 19 encounters, we have won just 4 times, drawing 7 and losing 8. Our biggest win there was the televised 4-1 victory under Aidy in the season we went up. Heidar Helgusson has done the best of any Watford striker up there scoring three times in three games.

Last season we went down 2-1 at Bramall Lane, Gary Speed scoring in the first minute. JJOT equalised in the second half but James Beattie won the game for United ten minutes later. The home game was probably the lowest point of Judas' short Watford career as we were completely outplayed and lost 2-0 to goals from, who else but Darius and Danny Webber.

Webber's contract ran out at the end of the season and, surprisingly, he is currently unattached. I wonder if he fancies coming back to the Vic? Darius was out injured for the whole of pre-season but played the full 90 minutes of last Friday's game at Middlesborough and looked as dangerous as ever. Lee Williamson is out for two months with a back problem, whilst the other old-'Orn at the Blades, Lee Bromby was on the bench against 'Boro but played in Tuesdays 2-1 Cup loss to Port Vale.

Although some hope can be drawn from the fact they lost to a League Two side at home they did make five changes including playing journeyman goalkeeper Ian Bennett whose howler handed Vale victory. I doubt he'll be between the sticks tomorrow, with Mark Bunn, currently on loan from Blackburn, replacing him. If you're wondering what's happened to the usual permanent goalkeeping fixture in their side, Paddy Kenny, he has been suspended by the Blades after failing a drugs test following their Playoff Semi Final against Preston. However, its for nothing more exciting than something found in some cough medicine.

How these things happen- Barnet 0 Watford 2 (a.e.t)

When you are outside a football ground knowing that you've got less than five minutes 'til kick off to get through a turnstile along with 100 others, and you are met with the level of incompetence we saw outside the entrance to the North and East Terraces yesterday you can start to appreciate how, if the crowd was ten or twenty times times bigger, these 'things' happen.  Luckily with a crowd of just over 3,000 all that occured were a few sense of humour failures.  But I do hope the Barnet stewards confine themselves to Underhill rather than anywhere else likely to have much bigger crowds. 

There were 12 turnstiles for away fans to go through but for some reason we were told to get into two queues which were being served by just four turnstiles, despite the fact that at least 8 of the 12 appeared to be open. If you hadn't got a ticket, and of course all of us did, you were directed to one of the turnstiles without a queue and could go straight in. It was the complete reverse of the situation at the Vic where you are discriminated against if you hadn't got a ticket. A couple of blokes near me gave up the queue and despite having tickets went and paid again just to get in on time. It was crazy and, as I say, you can just imagine if the game was more important, if the supporters were less well behaved, or if there was a sudden roar from those inside how a crush or stampede occurs.

Crazily, once you were through the turnstiles, you realised they all lead to the same place. There was no reason why we couldn't have gone through any of them other than the pettiness of the steward outside telling us if we had a ticket we had to queue up.

Inside the ground it was no better. The North East terrace where most of us had tickets appeared full with fans blocking all the entrances, yet the North terrace which was also given over to Watford fans appeared less than half full. Some of us asked a steward if we could stand there but were refused. Someone asked where we were meant to go then and we were just waved away. Eventually, after a lot of "excuse me's" and jostling for positions I found a decent spot and so must have everyone else but this was no thanks to any officials from Barnet FC.

As for the game, it was rubbish. The kind of early League Cup tie we've specialised in over the last few years where you really hope it doesn't go to extra time, but know that its inevitable. We have definitely abandoned any trace of the Rodgers passing it around tactic and seem to have gone back to playing Hoofball. Worryingly though Danny Graham isn't built in quite the same way as Darius so it doesn't seem to work. I don't mean this to insult either of them but Graham has more skill than that.

We only improved when Ellington, of all people, came on. Maybe he was being watched tonight but he was excellent. He played the forward Hoofball role perfectly rising to win every header that was lobbed down to him then laying it off for Smith or Graham, and occasionally having a go himself. Maybe someone was in watching Tommy and he doesn't want to go because he really didn't have a great game.

Our midfield looked non-existent with Eustace and Severin strolling around the park as if they were playing for the Watford Legends on Sky. I'd have rather had Micah Hyde playing for us. He still looks dangerous and, more importantly, bothered. He got a decent reception at the end when he applauded the away section of the crowd. I'm pleased we didn't persevere with Albert Jarrett as he looked as temperamental as always.

Lloydinho was back, at one point, tearing through (yes, really) the Barnet defence but his shot went just wide. There was hope around me that the game would go to penalties and Lloyd would have to take one. But I was glad this didn't happen. I want Lloyd's goal to be a glorious unexpected moment coming from open play.

Richard Lee was in for Loach who was on England duty. As I've stated previously I've got loads of time for Rich but the time I've got for him as a goalkeeper gets less each time he plays. He pulled off one fine save, but otherwise looked vulnerable the whole time. A couple of times he ran out of the area inappropriately, just like he did against Borehamwood luckily without the same result. He didn't seem to shout for the ball leading to confusion in defence. All his kicking was either straight down the middle or out for a throw in and it just wasn't working as a strategy. The one time he threw it out he got a huge cheer.

The goals came right at the end of both halves of extra time. The first was from a McAnuff free kick which Mike Williamson fiercely headed in. The Barnet keeper got a hand to it but it wasn't enough. He did even worse with the second one which was hit right at him from Scott Severin. It should have been an easy pick up but somehow went underneath him and in.

Malky, as on Saturday, seems to think we did okay. But if we play like that against Sheffield United I reckon we'll get ripped apart. Take Tommy Smith out of the equation permanently and I wonder if we'll manage to find three sides that are worse than us this time around.

Smith To Go?

http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sport/watfordfc/watfordfcnews/4539770._Smith_doesn_t_fit_Watford_wage_structure_/

http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sport/watfordfc/watfordfcnews/4539838._Valuations_must_be_met_if_players_leave_/

I think these two reports, particularly the latter one, are very ominous. I get the feeling we are being readied for a sale. If this is the case, then I'm seriously downgrading my expectations for the season.

Barnet v Watford- Previously...

We've only met in a competitive match once, a 2-1 win in the FA Cup First Round on 15th November 1997 watched by 4,040. We'd go on to beat Torquay after a replay and then hold Premiership Sheffield Wednesday both home and away before going out on penalties.

From what I can remember we went into the game with very high expectations having swept aside most of the teams in 'the new' Division 2. Yet we were very poor in the first half and deservedly went in 1-0 down. It took some Rocket Ronnie magic to rescue us, as Barnet just couldn't cope with Rosenthal in the second half and he scored both our goals. Notorious Dai Thomas made one of his 16 Watford appearances coming on as a second half sub for Jason Lee.

We've played Barnet three times in friendlies all at Underhill, never winning. Most recently we lost 3-2 last August with Danny Shittu appearing and scoring for the last time in a yellow shirt.

Ex-Watford players currently in the Barnet squad are their captain Micah Hyde who played for the 'Orns in that FA Cup game. Also there are Paul Furlong and Albert Jarrett. They all played in the Bees 1-0 away loss to Lincoln on Saturday.

Newcastle

The soap opera just gets better and better. First Joe Kinnear and now David O'Leary.

Evolution HDTV

As they are our sponsor it would be nice if they could give us a huge HDTV screen to replace the rather grainy low-def one at the Vicarage Road End.

Its okay for viewing the match action on, but is very difficult to read the scores on Sky at half time. Yesterday I nearly choked on my water when I thought it said L***n were losing 8-1 to AFC Wimbledon. Alas, I'd read the 0 as an 8.

Atmos- Watford 1 Doncaster Rovers 1

When I used to work at Talk Radio, before it became Talk Sport, I drove the desk for their football coverage (in layman's terms this means pressing all the buttons). At any live game that was covered we'd have three microphones. One for the commentator, one for the pundit and another which was used to pick up the atmosphere. So as the audio we were broadcasting sounded constant the producer would yell 'atmos down' if the crowd were making too much noise or 'atmos up' if it was quiet.

I thought about him twice today and imagined what his instructions would be. At the beginning of the game it would definitely have been 'atmos down!" I'm hard pressed to remember a better and more exuberant atmosphere than that in the build up to 3 o'clock. It was helped probably by the fact we've not had a home fixture on the first day for four years. Also the Radio Hornet music seemed to be very quiet today, and non-existent at half time, which meant it was far easier to get chants going before the game started. Donnie had brought plenty with them and were in good voice too. The sun was shining and hope springed eternal in that way that it always does on the opening day.

We lined up as we did last week against Parma with the obvious exception of Prisk, whose place was surprisingly taken by Jobi McAnuff. He's not featured at all in pre-season, suffering from an illness, but was considered match fit today. Tommy played in a more central role with Jobi out on the flank.

Right from the start the game was scrappy in a predictable opening day type way. Both teams looked too eager but neither wanted to give anything away. We seem to have abandoned most of the fancy moves Judas taught us, but I couldn't really tell you what we've replaced them with. Each side had a few chances before Danny Graham put us ahead following a free kick from the left which Tommy Smith got on the end of and his shot/come cross was turned in on the line. Good to see Danny on the scoresheet. He has already got a chant and I don't think it will be long before he's a bit of a hero. He's certainly settled in quicker than Priskin did.

Ten minutes later and Donnie were level. Doyley decided not to challenge Hayter to a header just outside the box. Okay, Lloyd was unlikely to win it but had he at least tried the outcome might have been different. Loach was slightly off his line and the ball dropped perfectly between him and the crossbar.

Scott Severin almost put us 2-1 before half time when Dodgy Sullivan had to deal with Jobi McAnuff one on one. The Scot had to shoot from a difficult angle and got it past Sullivan but alas, went just wide.

The half time entertainment was provided by Mark Falco doing Harry's 50/50 draw. Maybe he'd not drawn a raffle before but he made the mistake of pulling out three tickets whose numbers ran consecutively. I suppose you'd be pleased if you had those three tickets. I don't think they'll be asking him to do it again.

The second half was dull, tedious and insipid. The ref, who'd done okay in the first half, made some very odd decisions to show that the standard of officials hasn't changed a bit. However he did at least rule against Donnie when they claimed a shot that Loach stopped on the line had gone in.

Jobi came off for Hoskins but other than that Malky made no substitutions which was surprising considering we seemed to have no energy in the second half and the bench now has 7 on it instead of 5. How long before you are allowed 11 subs or even an infinite number?

It must have been very hot out there but it was frustrating how we didn't seem to have any urgency towards the end of the game. Donnie were clearly happy to settle for a point yet we didn't look like we wanted to try and exploit them sitting back at all. In fact, a couple of times we were so deep ourselves that we looked in danger of handing them an unlikely three points.

I thought of my Talk Radio producer again at the end. The atmosphere had died during the second half, so that the final whistle was greeted with the sort of polite applause you get at a village cricket ground. "Atmos Up, Atmos Up" he would've been shouting. The contrast between the fans reactions at the beginning and end couldn't have been more stark. Malky, I think you've still got quite a bit of work to do.

Watford v Doncaster Rovers- Previously...

We've played 13 competitive games against Donnie winning 7, drawing 2 and losing 4. We've scored against them 25 times with the old Ross Jenkins getting 5 of these, and have conceded 12 goals in total.

At the Vic we've played 7 times, winning 4, drawing 1 and losing 2. Our biggest win at home was on 28th January 1978 in Division Four when Graham Taylor's side beat them 6-0. We have only ever lost against them by one goal.

Last season in Judas' first game in charge we drew 1-1 at home with Tommy Smith scoring our goal and ex-Watford man Steve Brooker getting the equaliser. In April we won 2-1 with both our goals coming in the first 17 minutes. A Priskin shot was turned in by Rovers Sam Hird and four minutes later a Don Cowie header won the game for us.

The highest attendance between us was 17,130 for a home 1955 Third Round FA Cup tie which we lost 2-1. The highest league attendance was last years 14,008 at the Vic. The lowest attendance for a game at Vicarage Road between the sides was in September 1975 when just 4,228 turned up to see us win 2-1.

Cheerio Tubing

I think we've done a great bit of business selling Tamas to the Tractor Boys for £1.7 million. He has only ever performed for one man at Vicarage Road and in pre-season that slightly unsure look about him had returned. When offered that sort of money it would've been too much of a gamble to turn down. Can't quite believe Keane liked the look of him or that Prisk wanted to go up there. I would imagine hairdryers and goodness knows what else flying around the dressing room if he doesn't perform.

09/10 Season Preview- Us

It is a bit of a cliche but without doubt a season of consolidation is what is required after the mad comings and goings of last season.

We need the kind of season like we had in 2002/3 after the Vialli whirlwind came in and damaged the club. In appointing Malky we've gone for exactly the same sort of remedy we went for that time when we appointed Ray Lewington as a safe reliable pair of hands who knew the club and could be counted on not to do anything rash like bringing in a load of old pros on too much money or jumping ship to Reading.

So what can we expect from Malky's Watford? I think it partly depends on who we keep and then on being injury free. If we manage to hang on to Tommy and don't have too many out at once or at crucial times then I reckon a repeat of last years position or maybe even better is possible. If Danny Graham is the striker he has seemed in pre-season that I think the later is more likely. Selling Tommy, Mike Williamson and maybe one or two others and we'll struggle.

Here are a few sentences of nonsense about the squad we are starting the 09/10 season with.

No.1 Scott Loach- He has clearly made the No.1 jersey his own, not least because MM has given it to him. He still has a few rough edges that need sorting out, in particular his kicking. But ironically and maybe luckily for him this is also Lee's weakest area so that in a game of Top Trumps between the pair, Loach would win every category. He should get a long spell in the side, although I see that 'cos he has been called up for England U-21's again, he is already due to miss the Barnet cup game.

No.2 Adrian Mariappa- Gets better with each season and is especially valuable because he can play in the centre or on the right. Injury free and he could be an ever present this time round.

No.3 Jure Travner- Would seem to be a Jon Harley replacement. Did well in pre-season. Reckon he needs time to settle but already looked pretty at home to me.

No.4 Scott Severin- I've yet to be impressed by Severin. I wasn't particularly enamoured with his reasons for wanting to leave Aberdeen, being that he found the SPL boring. Trying working in a supermarket for a living mate. So far he seems to have been more Mahon/Eustace than Jack Cork

No.6 Jay De Merit- Its slightly bizarre that Jay has, yet again, kept the captains armband when I'd say that Mike Williamson has proved himself as the natural leader in defence but maybe MM thought we'd had enough changes to cope with. Jay has looked much more comfortable since Mike's arrival. The plaudits he took at the Confederations Cup can't have done his confidence any harm at all and unless he has an awful season is likely to be our sole representative in South Africa next summer.

No.7 Don Cowie- A brilliant Judas signing and, even better, there's been nothing about him going to Reading. If he can stay fit he is one of the keys to us doing well.

No.8 Tommy Smith- Presumably not going to Sheffield United due to family reasons and I would hope that if he was going to Reading he'd have gone now. So unless we get a daft offer from a London club lets pray he stays and achieves near Mooney like status.

No.10 Danny Graham- Looks the business already and, as I said in a previous post, my concern already is how long we can keep him before some annoying club like Fulham make an approach. Could form a lethal partnership with Tommy.

No.11 Jobi McAnuff- Must be on the mend from his mystery illness as the WO reckons we've got a full squad to choose from tomorrow. A bit like Priskin my concern with him is that, so far, he has only ever performed under Judas. Can he do it under MM?

No.12 Lloyd Doyley- The biggest transformation in any player last season was the change in Doyley to Lloydinho. Our previous lovable but slightly hapless defender suddenly could put in perfect tackles timed to the millisecond and could occasionally run rings round opponents for fun. He's sorted out his passing problem too. The only other box to tick this season is the scoring a goal one and Lloyd's transformation to superhero will be complete.

No.13 Jonathan North- Having been rejected he was rescued X Factor style by another contestant not fancying his mentor. Looked good at St.Albans but presumably will have to put in loads of effort if he is to get anywhere near the first team on merit.

No.14 Ross Jenkins- Slightly overshadowed by Jack Cork, Jenkins should have been the revelation of last season coming from nowhere to cement a place in the side. Long way it continue, although in the same way as all of our youngesters lets hope he doesn't look too good or else I fear someone will come calling for him. There is more danger of this then ever before now that the BBC are showing their Football League show straight after MOTD.

No.15 Jon Harley- The arrival of Jure Travner will probably limit his appearances even more, which is a shame 'cos Jon seems to be a great bloke who always plays with a smile on his face. He has a great chant too. Alas he does seem to be slowing down a bit and if Forest really want him for £500,000 then I think we'd be mad to say no.

No.16 Richard Lee- I admire him immensely for staying with us over the years when he is consistentally passed over. He clearly loves Watford and wants to be a part of it rather than dragging himself round clubs he has no interest in just to get a game. Top man.

No.17 Dale Bennett- So far has only appeared as a sub in the West Ham cup game. Played in the pre-season match at Borehamwood without distinction. Other than that I don't think he's appeared at all, being a unused sub against St.Albans. A surprise to find him given a number as high as 17.

No.18 Will Hoskins- I really like Will. He always looks like he wants the ball, always looks like he is trying. If I was in charge he'd have had many more chances in the side. I hope Malky is the boss to give him those chances and not just because of who we might have sold.

No.19 Liam Henderson- If Priskin hadn't gone I reckon Liam would've been looking at another season of being loaned out. As it is I think he'll be warming the enlarged subs bench a lot, but always looks eager and dangerous whenever he comes on.

No.21 Lewis Young- Smaller than his brother if that's possible but he still possesses the talent. However, he needs to eat a few more pies if he doesn't want to go down to McNamee route.

No.23 Jordan Parkes- I would've said he looks promising and this could've been the season he made the leap from bit part player to regular member of the squad. However an impending loan maybe suggests otherwise.

No.24 Mike Williamson- He was the answer to the problem that plagued Aidy for so long. Our defence again looks robust and reliable. You no longer wince at corners or when the opposition is going at us in a one on one situation. Mike is the rockbed at the back. Please don't go anywhere Mike!

No.25 Nathan Ellington- Reportedly having a trial with Blackburn as Sam Alladyrce becomes yet another manager who thinks he can rediscover the Duke magic. Well, thank goodness there is one out there. The real surprise is that its a Prem manager as right now I would only expect teams in the bottom two divisions to be even remotely interested and then they'd be put off by his ridiculous wages. I really hope he performs up north as I haven't seen anything during pre-season that makes me think he is near to finding his form in a yellow shirt.

No.26 John Joe O'Toole- A star in the making two seasons ago, but whose light seems to get dimmer and dimmer. The fact he's gone from being linked with clubs in the Premiership to League One says a lot but I think its far too early to write him off. He performed under Aidy only blotting his copy book by returning from the last close season carrying a bit of weight. He still did well until Judas came in and didn't seem to like the look of him. The odd thing is under MM he doesn't seem in favour either, being lumped in with the developmental squad more than the first team. I thought he'd be worth a punt alongside Jenkins in pre-season but obviously its too late for that now.

No.27 Mat Sadler- He's just about done okay but that's as much as you can say so far in his Watford career. Tried as an attacking left winger at St.Albans but that didn't seem to make him any better. I would guess a season of bench warming looms and only because you can now name 7 instead of 5 subs. If we can we'll offload him.

No.28 John Eustace- I never really rated him but in pre-season he looked really good. Better than Severin any-way. I didn't think I'd ever say this but he is probably worth hanging on to for now.

No.29 Michael Bryan- Played the first half at Borehamwood and looked brilliant, especially his wonder goal after three minutes. Could he be this seasons Ross Jenkins?

No.30 Rob Kiernan- Youth team captain Kiernan looked good in the pre-season games I've seen. The League Cup and first team bench warming probably beckons.

No.31 Marvin Sordell- Was rather shown up by Beauvue at Wealdstone. I expect he's glad the Frenchman didn't get a contract.

No.32 Billy Gibson- Featured in the Bristol Rovers game last season and in the developmental squads in pre-season. Might be due a loan spell this time round.

No.33 Lee Hodson- Was outstanding in the last day win over Derby County. Unlikely to get lots of chances this season but hopefully we'll see him in a few League Cup games.

No.34 Eddie Oshodi- Nearly scored a brilliant own goal against St.Albans. Only feature as an unused sub in the League Cup.

No.35 Bo Antal- Steals the crown for best name of any current Watford player. He is now the only Hungarian in our squad.

09/10 Season Preview- The opposition

A couple of lines of nonsense about the 23 teams we shall be facing in Football League Division 2 this season.

Barnsley- I like Barnsley. I don't know why but there is something quite cuddly about them. However I fear this is the season they might drop back into Division 3.

Blackpool- Its make or break time for Ian Holloway. If this doesn't work he might be forced to find permanent employment on the radio so lets all pray it does. I think he'll do enough to keep them up forcing us to endure yet another trip to the double hell that is Blackpool and Bloomfield Road.

Bristol City- They've endured that difficult post playoff final defeat season. However I think Gary J will struggle to conjure up some more of his magic and this will be the last season he is in charge at Ashton Gate.

Cardiff City- Hilariously missing out on the playoffs on the last day, more will be expected this time because of their new stadium. I'll enjoy it when they blow it again.

Coventry City- Probably the most boring team in the division, they should adopt that brown strip they wore against us permanently. However Chris Coleman is good enough to keep them up again and as we always seem to do well against them long may they stay in the Championship.

Crystal Palace- Top half but not top six which will end the love affair between Jordan and Neil Warnock (no, not that Jordan, although that would be an interesting bit of tabloid gossip).

Derby County- Nigel Clough seems like he knows exactly what he's doing and I think Derby are in danger of being like us 10 years ago and getting promoted a couple of seasons too early in the grand plan.

Doncaster Rovers- Probably my favourite other team in the division. Donnie away is a good experience. I hope we'll do the double over them but then I wish them well and think they'll do just enough to stay up again.

Ipswich Town- Having Roy Keane as your manager is a scary enough reason to do well. Add into that the extra incentive of doing it in Bobby Robson's memory and I think you're looking at a very dangerous side, especially as Keane got Sunderland out of this division without too much trouble a few seasons ago.

Leicester City- One of those sides to whom going down for a season probably did them no harm at all, especially as they are financially stable. It may just provide a springboard for them to get a second promotion in two seasons.

Middlesborough- Always one of the most boring teams in the Premiership with possibly the most irritating manager in the country. Depressingly, because Steve Gibson seems to have bottomless pockets, I reckon they'll go up as Champions.

Newcastle United- You couldn't have a greater contrast between a great man like Bobby Robson and a total arsehole like Alan Shearer. Could you see Sir Bobby walking away from the manager's job just because he wants assurances about what is happening in the boardroom? Mike Ashley's dithering and Sherarer's looming but uncertain presence will ensure the Toon remain adrift from the big boys for at least another season.

Nottingham Forest- With Notts County stirring back into life as potential rivals to Forest rather than a handy close team for pre-season friendlies, Billy Davies will want his team to impress this season. But I don't think they'll oblige him and will finish in the bottom half, flirting with relegation as usual.

Peterborough United- My prediction for over-performing team of the season. It would be great fun to see a team with such a small stadium in the Premiership. I don't think they'll quite make it but will finish in the top half.

Plymouth Argyle- They just survived last season and don't seem to have done a great deal to change things. Relegation and derbies against Exeter and Torquay loom.

Preston North End- Always the nearly boys of the division. More pressure will be on Alan Irvine this time because of the success over at Burnley. I think they'll just miss out on a playoff place and Irvine will be rather unfairly shown the door.

Queens Park Rangers- By appointing Jim Magilton they seem to have learned nothing from the Dowie era. Jim to go before Christmas, another foreign bod in the hotseat, another mid table finish.

Reading- A gut reaction is that I hope their chairman ends up in an Allen Stanford type situation and the team end up in the Blue Square like L***n. A more considered opinion is that they will probably make the playoffs. Lets settle on them just missing out.

Scunthorpe United- Another likeable team who seem to have replaced Brighton as yo-yo specialists between ourselves and League 1. I expect the trend to continue.

Sheffield United- There or there abouts but ultimately just failing to go up automatically. More playoff failure for Blackwell will result, yet again, in the boot.

Sheffield Wednesday- Another mediocre season for a mediocre team.

Swansea City- Difficult to predict with themselves having done so well last term but their manager failing at QPR. More mid table than playoff contenders this time round.

West Brom- DiMatteo did well at MK but is still a slightly unknown quantity. Partly as they've loaned out the God that is Robbo I reckon they'll have to settle for the playoffs rather than an instant return to the dull depressingly netherland of the Premiership.

Champs-Middlesborough
Promoted- Ipswich
Playoffs- West Brom, Sheff Utd, Leicester, Derby.
Relegation- Scunthorpe, Barnsley, Plymouth

Home- Watford 3 Parma 2

It is my favourite place in the world and having not been there for three months I was suffering withdrawal symptoms. So it was lovely this afternoon to be back at the Vic. Its not changed really at all inside but the wrap around project has made great strides in the close season and is now visible in three corners of the ground.

I was surprised and impressed by the number of people in the Upper Rous. It seemed far more had bothered than the last couple of friendlies we've held at home (Willem II and Chievo). There was a good atmosphere too with the Rookery end reprising Hoist Up the Watford Flag, rehearsing various Brendan Rodgers' hating songs and trying out a new Jay DeMerit chant. Parma had brought some fans that I couldn't see but could hear. Maybe it was because they're Italian but their chanting sounded a lot more like a religious choir than ours.

Given the lack of subs that were made I'm guessing that Malky named his preferred starting XI with the exception of McAnuff who is still ill. Its been getting on for a month now that this excuse has been used with no other comment being made and I can't be the only one wondering what's up with him. Loach was preferred to Lee. Mariappa, Williamson, DeMerit and Doyley made up the back four. Jenkins and Severin were in the centre of midfield. Cowie and a warmly greeted Tommy Smith were on the flanks with Priskin and Graham in the middle of the attack.

Danny Graham looks like he will score a lot of goals for us. He was excellent this afternoon getting into all sorts of awkward positions and always looking like a threat. He is the total opposite of Ellington who I'm really trying to like and encourage when he appears as a sub which he did today. But Graham's constant movement, hassling and sharpness just highlights Ellington's lethargy, dis-interest and slowness even more so than Marlon used to.

The game was made fun by a particularly fussy ref who gave the majority of decisions our way, which gradually wound the Parma players up more and more. They didn't do themselves any favours though protesting and over-reacting as if it was the Champions League final rather than an early pre-season friendly (for them) at a club they'd probably never heard of before. This didn't stop them taking the lead when a well hit free kick was fumbled by Loach and a Parma forward reacted quickest slotting it home but kicking Loach's head in the process. He was down for quite a while but did continue and otherwise did well showing no signs of any hangover from his adventure with the Under 21's.

I wondered if we were in for a long afternoon but soon after we were level following good work from Mariappa who reclaimed the ball having lost it and hit a cross into Graham who nodded down for Priskin to strike. His shot was saved but fell in the path of Tommy Smith and a chasing Parma defender who appeared to hit the ball together into the net. Unsurprisingly the goal was given to Tommy.

Two minutes later and we were ahead. Smith raced down the wing ignoring the blatant shirt pulling which the linesman flagged for. The ref chose to ignore it too and allowed us to play on despite the fact the Parma players all seemed to have stopped. Tommy crossed it for Danny Graham to fire past the keeper. The Parma players were livid and surrounded both the ref and linesman much to our amusement. Play to the whistle lads.

At half time Radio Hornet made themselves the early leaders in this seasons oddest song to be played at a football ground competition with fans favourite Karma Chameleon. Maybe we could adapt it into a chant. "Tommy, Tommy, Tommy, Tommy, Tommy, Tommmmmmiieeee Smith, please don't go, please don't go-oh-oh-oh".

Parma were still riled by the ref in the second half and tried a good few times to take it out on us including their keeper trying to hit Danny Graham at one point. It all made for a far more entertaining game than friendlies usually are. They disputed our third goal as one of their players went down in the area like he'd been shot in the back. We kept playing and Priskin poked the ball home.

They managed to keep their heads to get one back when the fantastically named McDonald Mariga hit a shot from about 30 yards. Have Parma taken sponsoring a player to new heights? There was nothing Loach could do as the ball flew onto the crossbar and in. The goal was that good that everyone applauded it.

There were a couple of nervous moments late on but we deservedly hung on to our lead and the players got a far longer and louder reception at full time than you'd normally expect in a friendly.

Bring on next week. It's good to be home again.