Its been a long time since a Watford team has taken to the pitch and I wasn't immediately able to identify who our captain was. But this afternoon as Z Cars struck up I tried to make the man walking towards us in the Rous Stand into Doyley and Ellington before realising with a shock that it was the youthful features of Adrian Mariappa who had the honour of being the first one out of the tunnel.
I used to feel old when I realised that various former Watford captains were a bit younger than me. This decision made me feel ancient. Mariappa probably wasn't even at primary school when I left the sixth form at Clement Danes.
This spoke volumes for how much our team has changed since we were all last here. Maybe it was just the lack of the new Judas Williamson's height but our back four looked tiny, as if we'd entered a team in the Vertically Challenged World Cup. It comprised of Doyley, Dale Bennett who I'd last seen putting in a no nonsense performance at Marlow on Tuesday night, Mariappa and Hodson. A midfield of Jenkins, Eustace and Cowie with Cleverley and Lansworth flitting between being midfielders and the forward line to accompany Graham when necessary. Hooray, no Scott Severin.
It wasn't a line up that gave a whole deal of confidence but, at the same time, we were playing bottom of the table Barnsley, albeit playing with a desire to impress their new manager. I'd gone for a draw.
Well, how wrong was I. This was a performance to warm the heart. A team that desperately wanted to do well, that gave 100% and as an added bonus played some lovely football too.
There were so many positives to take from it. Dale Bennett, outstanding in his first start, so confident and solid that you wondered whether DeMerit might have trouble getting back in the side. Mariappa jumping like a kangaroo to make up for the lack of height at the back. Lee Hodson, suddenly being relied upon in a way that is far less forgiving than just making a token appearance in the Carling Cup and being more than equal to it. John Eustace, immense all afternoon, providing the Robbo like bite that is often lacking. Danny Graham coming out from Tommy's shadow to shine on his own up front and deservedly getting a goal, even though he possibly didn't know too much about it.
The loanees added that bit of Premiership sparkle, and it was heartening to see how much they cared. Cleverley at one point failed to keep the ball from going out for a throw and screamed in frustration. If I had one slight criticism of our new boys its that they are saddled with that top flight habit of wanting to score the perfect goal when at times it would have been far more productive just to wellie it. No points for artistic merit in the Championship guys.
To even things up slightly, it has to be said Barnsley weren't brilliant. When one of the opponents subs is subbed without an apparent injury you know you are playing a troubled side. They looked like they might be contenders for being one of the three sides worse than us and only really tried in the last few minutes when it looked worryingly like we might just cock it up. However some desperate defending and then sensible play by subs Ellington and Harley ensured we hung on.
For me, this is what its about. This is what I want. Players who want to play for us and are willing to give their all. I enjoyed that first season under Ray Lewington for exactly that reason. I'm not expecting any miracles from Malky's Watford. But if every performance could be like that, even if we struggle as I expect, I'll still be a happy man.
