Enough of the Foreplay- Watford 1 Newcastle United 2

A game that gave us all a reminder of what it was like to be amongst the elite for two seasons and how, when you're the smaller team, nothing seems to go your way. I find it depressing to think such thoughts but I came away deciding that I prefer it in the Championship playing average Championship teams where, by and large, you have a 50/50 chance of getting a result. Against a team like Newcastle you seem to have a 10/90 chance and not just because of their superior resources.

The officials might as well have taken to the pitch in black and white stripes rather than bright orange. They clearly favoured the big team, looked like they were on first name terms with their players and gave them free kicks every time they fell over. Any similar 'light' challenge on a Watford player went unpunished and we only got something if the foul was particularly nasty. With offsides the linesman on the Rous side ignored most things in the first half but gave everything in the second.

The opposition only really created four chances all afternoon but scored two of them. However, I've no doubt had we managed to get back into the game early enough they would've easily managed to conjure up some more. Its true to say we had the majority of the possession but they seemed content to allow us to pass it between ourselves without ever looking threatening until it was too late.

Sometimes I feel Malky's Watford believe that games are decided on the amount of passes completed rather than goals scored. So often we seem to have the opportunity to break but elect to the hold the ball up, wait for opponents and team mates to catch up and then pass the ball sideways, allowing any advantage we had to disappear.

"Get stuck in" the bloke behind me shouted, for once making perfect sense. "Yeah" said another bloke "enough of the foreplay, just stick it in". Its easy to say in a game against the league leaders and probably not as simple to do, but it applies to all our games this season. Sometimes we'd be much more effective if we just had a shot rather than trying to create the perfect goal.

As a tactic to try and beat a team that can probably create chances at will, scoring late in the game to set up a grandstand finish is probably as good as any. Unfortunately we left it slightly too late. We only managed one more attack after it was 2-1. Had Hoskins scored his goal a few minutes earlier an unlikely point might have been on.

For the record Williamson was booed but didn't get quite the amount of abuse expected. He didn't celebrate either of their goals and even seemed to fall out with his fellow defenders over our goal. Maybe they thought he was letting us score.

All in all an afternoon to forget. I look forward to things returning to normal against Derby next week.

Watford v Newcastle United- Previously...

This will be the 20th time Newcastle have visited Vicarage Road. The first time was back in 1924 when we met them in the FA Cup 3rd Round and lost 1-0. Six of those meetings have been in cup competitions including three played in 1988/9. Our record at home against them reads won 7, drawn 9 and lost 3, scoring 28 and conceding 21. The last time they beat us at home was in 90/91 when we lost 2-1 in the old Division 2.

Back in early December we lost 2-0 in a closely fought game at St.James'. The 'Toon last visited us on the final day of the Premiership season in 2006/7 when we bid goodbye to the top flight with a 1-1 draw. Marlon King equalised with a penalty for us.

Newcastle are currently top with 66 points from 32 games. Their away record for this season is won 6, drawn 5, lost 4. The losses were at Blackpool, Scunny, Forest and Derby. In their last away match they drew 1-1 with Swansea. Last Saturday they beat Preston 3-0 at home.

Hopefully Mike Williamson will decide that he is fit enough to face us given that last time he was involved in a Hornets fixture he self-diagnosed he wasn't up to the job thus forcing a move to Pompey. What a shame he managed to escape instead of Smudger. He's told the Newcastle website that he'll put his goodwill to one side for the afternoon. I'm sure we'll all do the same.

O'Connor Banned

http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sport/5022936.Irons_midfielder_banned_for_Cleverley_reaction/?ref=mr

Turns out I was wrong. O'Connor has been banned for three games as well. Nigel Adkins rather went down in my estimation when he tried to make out that O'Connor had simply been pushing Cleverley away. Good that justice has been done.

Musical Chairs- Scunthorpe United 2 Watford 2

Here's a great game you can have with unsuspecting away fans. Firstly, print on your tickets 'Please sit in your allocated seat'. Then tell half the fans who enter that actually they can sit wherever they like. Only tell half of them 'cos otherwise the game isn't nearly as much fun. Cordon off just enough of the stand so that there aren't quite enough seats for the amount of tickets you've sold. Finally play some loud music, most of it featuring Cheryl Cole, and intersperse it with farting noises as your sound system slowly packs up. Stand back and watch the ensuing chaos. No-one wins but its great fun.

Welcome to the world of Glanford Park. Actually, apart from this organised chaos its a great little ground. It seems really old fashioned considering it was built in 1988 with some pillars in the way and the seats all crammed close together. But its got more character in one row of seats than some of the new grounds have in their entirety. I'd happily go back time and again. Its also got those rare vital elements that make the matchday experience hassle free. Its very easy to find being just off the end of the M181, it has bags of parking and there are plenty of food options nearby.

The game was quite difficult to follow as the seat I ended up with after musical chairs was directly behind the goal so I saw 90% of the game through the mesh of the net. For the whole game we looked far more dangerous than they did and definitely deserved all three points. Our defence got caught out once by the sort of slick move we're so good at pulling off to go one down. However the only surprise when Danny Graham got the equaliser was how long it had taken us to find the net. He looked so pleased to have got on the scoresheet and those of us in the front rows got to celebrate with him which was nice.

The ref had had an odd game pleasing neither set of fans. However, having seen Cleverley's not so clever challenge I think he was probably right to show the red card. What he definitely got wrong was not to show the Scunthorpe player red as well for the two punches he then threw at Tom as they got back up from the challenge. He was too busy enjoying the theatrics of immediately pulling out his red card to notice that a common assault was going on two feet in front of him.

Even with ten we looked better than them and when Eustace headed us into the lead with just minutes left our end went mad. I never thought I'd use these words in the same sentence but John's celebration was one of the campest I've ever seen by a footballer. I probably wouldn't say that to his face though.

It was the man in black who'd have the last word giving a penalty in dying throws of the game when the ball was kicked into Jay DeMerits face. Even behind the mesh it was apparent this wasn't a deliberate handball and 9 times out of 10 a corner would've been the result. Not for Mr.Theatrics however and although Loach went the right way he couldn't reach the spotkick. There was time for one final bit of controversy as the penalty taker tried to prevent Loach getting the ball out of the goal quickly which resulted in our goalkeeper being floored. Yet, he was the one who got a yellow card.

Both this and the punches on Cleverley can clearly be seen on The Football League Show. It would be nice to think some retrospective action might be taken but I'm sure this would be a pointless waste of a thought.

Scunthorpe United v Watford- Previously...

I'm slightly hesitant to write this as some recent previews seem to have been followed by atrocious localised weather conditions at the ground in question. However if the game survives the snowstorms, hurricanes or heatwaves that may now be on their way to Glanford Park this will be the 11th game Watford have played away at Scunthorpe United. We've won 5, drawn 3 and lost 2, scoring 11 and conceding 6.

All but one of our away games against The Iron took place at The Old Showground, where Scunthorpe played before Glanford Park was built in 1988. Our only visit to their current stadium was back in 2007/8 in the Championship when Aidy Boothroyd's Watford won 3-1. Adam Johnson, Darius Henderson and Marlon got our goals.

This season we met back in November at the Vic where we won 3-0 with two H goals and one from Danny Graham, which was the last time he scored for us.

Scunny are currently 17th, two places behind us. They've got 36 points from 31 games compared to our 38 from 29 games. At home this season their record reads won 7, drawn 3 and lost 5. So far in February they've lost to Palace, West Brom and Leicester but beat Barnsley at home 2-1 on Tuesday night scoring a winner 5 minutes into injury time.

We could do with starting to win away games again. It was unfortunate that the golden opportunity to start was taken away from us on Tuesday night and that we'll have to wait until late April now for that particular opponent. However tomorrow's is certainly a game we should be able to win if we can just start replicating some of our home form on the road.

Rodgers Returns?- Watford Youth 0 Chelsea Youth 4

It was a bit daft that having encouraged everyone to get behind the youth team the club seemed a bit overwhelmed by the turn out. I'd luckily rung up yesterday and got the ticket loaded onto my season ticket card thingy, but most people hadn't and so there were lengthy queues up Vicarage Road when I arrived at 6.50pm. I assume that people were still outside at kick-off as there was a constant trickle of people coming into the Upper Rous well into the first half. I guess this is the problem with getting rid of manned turnstiles. Apparently there were two women selling tickets in a makeshift booth outside the Rous for those who hadn't pre-booked.

The team were given the full first teamers treatment coming out to Z Cars and Richard Short announcing the line ups. For us I only recognised Eddie Oshodi and Matty Whichelow. Immediately the most striking thing was that the Chelsea side looked about twice the size of ours.

We gave a very good account of ourselves in the opening 20 minutes and came close to scoring when a header from a free kick went narrowly wide. Keeper Bond then made his only mistake of the night when he was caught in no mans land as Chelsea broke and the ball was bundled into the net. He was lucky however that the ref ruled an arm had helped its progress.

It was 1-0 a short time later though when Chelsea volleyed in the opener and they almost got a second straight away when a similar shot went just over. Just as in the game against the Chelsea senior team back in January, once we'd conceded any chance seemed to have gone. They moved up a gear, looked loads better than us and went in 2-0 up at the break after Oshodi conceded a penalty.

A rumour went round at half time that Brendan Rodgers had been spotted in the stand. I didn't see him and there were no obvious chants about him but I suppose it could've been true. He is presumably looking for employment and his former charges (Chelsea, not us) would be an obvious place to go. On the other hand it was an easy and obvious rumour to start up.

The only difference in the second half was the ref. He had had a decent unmemorable performance in the first 45, but decided he fancied a bit of action. After all, the Chelsea TV cameras were there! So he started being Mr. Pedantic, booking our players for dissent over a throw in, and the distance of a wall. Every free kick had to be taken from exactly the right spot, and the ball had to completely still. He even threatened to send the Chelsea coach to the empty East Stand at one point. All this was completely unnecessary and just made him look a right dick.

A disappointing night, especially as 2270 turned out. I know the club encouraged us to go but I do think that people are more likely to get behind the reserves and youth team when these games are played at the Vic rather than in Borehamwood. I can never make 7pm at Meadow Park. Its just too far round the M25 when I don't finish work until after 5pm. However 7pm at the Vic when you can park in the hospital is just about do-able. How about Watford FC? Could we have the reserves back at their proper home for 2010/11?

Queens Park Rangers v Watford- Previously...

This will be the 59th competitive time we've visited Rangers since we became members of the Football League. Our record in West London reads won 12, drawn 21 and lost 25, scoring 71 goals and conceding 96.

Last season we drew 0-0 there just after Christmas. I'm sure I don't have to remind you what happened in the previous fixture this season back in early December but the words Lloydinho, goal, Magilton and headbutt should jog your memory.

Since then QPR have won just once, 2-1 against Bristol City at home on Boxing Day. Their home record this season is won 4, drawn 6 and lost 4. They are currently 17th with 34 points. On Saturday they lost 1-0 at Coventry.

The boo boys should have a field day, or night with Mick Harford currently caretaker managing the R's and Lee Cook featuring regularly. Gavin Mahon isn't due back from injury until April. Tamas Priskin should play as he is currently on loan from Ipswich. The loan terms for H mean he can't feature against his parent club.

Loooofer

Great to see Luther pulling out the balls for the FA Cup draw. Even better to see some footage of him in the yellow shirt, and scoring that hat-trick against Luxembourg.

As you might have heard he is currently after our old shirts. If you've not heard, check out the details here.

Sighing, Moaning and Dissent- Watford 2 Bristol City 0

Another Tuesday night, another three points and another satisfying performance. Rather the reverse of the Sheff United game in that the first half was entertaining whilst the second half was rather turgid but we hung on and that is by far and away the most important thing.

Not that several of those I shared the Rous with seemed to agree. There was a lot of sighing, moaning and dissent during the second 45 minutes as we ensured that we picked up all three points. This was quite ridiculous. Do these moaners not understand how well we are doing given everything that has happened this season and that part of supporting a team that isn't one of the 'Big Four' is appreciating you can't just turn on the style and score goals for fun? Last night was a typical Championship game. If you want dazzling Premiership action you're in for a long long wait and even then it might not happen. If you're going to whinge about not seeing that at Watford then why not head to the Emirates or the Bridge rather than getting on the backs of a team that is winning 2-0.

The player who received the most abuse was Liam Henderson. I would completely agree that he didn't put in the best performance of his Watford career when he replaced Danny Graham, but to shout at him from the moment he gets on the pitch as the bloke behind me did last night is just insane. How is that going to help him or us in any way at all?

Liam hasn't copied Ross Jenkins, Scott Loach or Lee Hodson in bursting into the first team squad and never looking back but isn't that all the more reason to give him a chance? Leave the criticism to Malky to pass on. If he doesn't end up making the grade to stay at the Vic that should be down to him alone. Not because certain supporters, who are struggling to find a bogeyman post Simpson, Russo and Rodgers, have decided to start picking on a kid who is only just 20.

Watford v Bristol City- Previously...

If the game survives the snow that is meant to be on the way tomorrow night this will be the 43rd meeting hosted by the Horns against Bristol City. Our record at home against them reads won 18, drawn 12, lost 12, scoring 66 and conceding 52.

Last season we went down 4-2 at the Vic in a very depressing Boxing Day encounter that saw us concede in the first minute. Our last meeting was on 28 December 2009 when we drew 2-2 with Cleverley and Eustace getting our goals, the second of which came deep in injury time.

For the second game in a row we are pitied against opponents one place above ourselves in the league table. Bristol City are currently 11th with 37 points from 28 games. Their away record this season is won 2, drawn 6, lost 5.

Since our Christmas meeting they've had almost a more miserable time of it than we have. They've played Cardiff three times, twice in the cup where they lost 1-0 in a replay and a week later in the league when they lost 6-0 to them at home. Their only success in January was a 4-2 win over Preston. On Saturday they drew 1-1 at home to Coventry, the week before they shared a goalless draw with Middlesbrough.

Bristol City's ex-Horns remain solely on the managerial side with Gary Johnson in charge and Keith Millen as his assistant.

No Bull- Barnsley 1 Watford 0

We must have done okay if Malky reckons we deserved to get something out of the game. In a Ray Lewington type way I like the fact that he is completely honest about our performances. Its good to see we've maintained our position despite losing. That win on Tuesday really was an important three points. We now need another one against Bristol City this coming Tuesday.

Barnsley v Watford- Previously...

Tomorrow will be the 24th meeting between Watford and Barnsley at Oakwell. The first meeting up there was in the old Division 3 in March 1961 when we won 1-0. Our record is won 6, drawn 6, and lost 11. We've scored 21 goals and conceded 32.

Last season we lost 2-1 at Oakwell in one of Malky's caretaking games, Tommy Smith got our goal. It was Mark Robins first game in charge of The Tykes when we met in September at the Vic. Danny Graham got the goal as we won 1-0.

Barnsley are currently 11th, one in front of us. We've both played 27 and they have 36 points, one more than us. At home their record this season is won 5, drawn 4 lost 5. On Tuesday night they had an even more impressive win than our own, beating Preston 4-1 away. Last Saturday they lost 1-0 at Reading and before that beat Leicester and lost to Sheffield Wednesday both at Oakwell.

Martin Devaney remains the only tenious link between us and them.

Tuesday Night Fortress- Watford 3 Sheffield United 0

What did the first half of this game and our new centre back Martin Taylor have in common? Well, they're both about as far from pretty as it is possible to get. No offence, Martin. In fact judging by the comments around me you've already got a place in our hearts. You are big, menacing, effective, and have the added bonus of being able to get forward too. A white Danny Shittu if you like.

The first 45 was true traditional Division Two fare. An even battle with not much skill but a lot of heart. Henderson, in particular, looking threatening. It would've been no surprise had we conceded, especially in the opening 25 minutes when they were probably the better side, but with our back four looking the most settled its been all season and Scott showing £3million form we kept them out. Gradually we fought our way back into it with Eustace having a couple of chances and Cleverley's wonderful free kick hitting the post.

But then we took the kind of chance that was bound to come along eventually. You know, the sort of one other teams always seem to take against us. A moment of hesitation in the United defence and Cleverley popped up and was extremely brave to head the ball past the Blades keeper before crashing into him. A few minutes later and following another mix up Helguson was unlucky not to make it 2-0.

The five minutes of first half injury time can all be put down to United, even though a couple of our players had needed treatment. They are still as dirty as they were in the Warnock days but oddly delicate whenever they were on the receiving end of anything as physical as a tackle, going and staying down all too easily.

One expected Kevin Blackwell to give his troops a right rollicking at half time and for them to come out and take the game to us.

However it just didn't happen. In the second half it was so one sided that I can't remember Loach doing anything other than kicking the ball out when it was passed back to him. We took total control and deservedly scored twice more through another mix up that Helguson punished and a Cowie free kick that went through everyone and in. We could've had as many as four or five. Lloyd made his now expected charge for goal and was unlucky not to score. Substitutes Graham and Hoskins also both went close.

It was a fine team performance. Despite the newcomer it was a team that looked far more comfortable with itself, like it knew what it was meant to be doing. Its true to say that all of the goals were probably as a result of opposition errors but its to our credit that we punished three out of the four that Sheffield United made.

With Palace winning in the cup meaning yet another Saturday will go by the wayside this was a good first effort at turning the Vic into a Tuesday night fortress.

Watford v Sheffield United- Previously...

As long as the undersoil heating works this will be the 21st time The Blades have travelled down to play us. My Dad commented to me today that we never seem to do well against Sheffield United and I was surprised to see just how true that is even at the Vic. We've only beaten them 5 times at home, drawing 5 and losing 10, scoring 21 and conceding 24.

The last time we beat them was in the first home league game after we'd both been relegated from the Premiership when a Lee Williamson goal gave us a 1-0 win. A 1-1 draw at Bramall Lane followed, but since then we've had no joy. They did the double over us last season including that awful 2-0 home loss in which both Henderson and Webber scored. Earlier this season we lost by the same score in Yorkshire.

Sheffield United are currently 6th with 41 points from 27 games. Away from home they've won 4, drawn 3 and lost 6. They went down 3-1 to West Brom at The Hawthorns on Saturday. Their last away win was a 3-2 victory over QPR in an FA Cup 3rd Round Replay. They lost 2-0 to Bolton in the 4th Round.

Darius Henderson is currently the Blades top scorer with 10 goals. Jordan Stewart has appeared 14 times since joining from Derby and played in the defeat to West Brom. Other ex-Horn Lee Williamson has only appeared 7 times for Sheff United since he left us and seems to spend most of his time warming the bench.