x 2- Middlesbrough 1 Watford 0

I went to Middlesbrough back in March and as the trip home seemed to take several days I wasn't keen to repeat it in the same calendar year, especially with the game being on Sky.

A 5.20pm kick off on Bonfire Night when you have kids is problematic for obvious reasons so I only saw the first 20 minutes properly live and watched the rest, having managed to avoid the score, post fireworks.

We never looked likely to score at 0-0 so once we went behind I kind of gave up and watched the second half x 2 on Sky+.  It's a shame that setting doesn't automatically come with the Benny Hill music.

It is absolutely crazy that this game of ours refuses to bring in any measures like those in the NFL, Rugby League or Cricket and allow for a video ref.  We all knew within 30 seconds of Boro scoring that it was definitely offside.  Surely its for the good of the game, as FIFA claim to be, for the ref to get the decision right.  So why not let him consult someone who can tell him for certain what that decision should be.

I'm not saying at all it would've made any difference.  Had the result ever been in doubt Boro looked like they had at least another two gears to accelerate into whereas even with Craig Beattie coming on we looked like that was as good as we were ever going to get.

The tedium of an international break now beckons without even a competitive match for England.  A rather important tough looking game sits the other side of it against a Portsmouth side obviously very much enjoying not having Steve Cotterill as their boss.

Bristol Rovers 1 Watford 1 (Rovers win 4-2 on pens)

I successfully heard the extra time on HornetsPlayer with no problem.  Same old same old again.  We should've won.  Lots of shots and possession.  And yet, apart from Sordell, Lloyd Doyley sounded like our most dangerous player.  Gilmartin sounded no better than Loach.  Buaban's much awaited debut didn't sound up to much.  I reckon he'll be another Scott Severin.  Bloody hell.  We needed a win tonight, not sodding extra time followed by a loss on penalties.  If we'd made 10 changes and lost then fine.  To make it worse Don bloomin' Cowie scored twice as well.  Not a good night.

Coventry City 0 Watford 0

For the second time this season I attempted to listen in to the Three Counties commentary via HornetsPlayer.  I do realise I reside within one of the three counties that 3CR is suppose to broadcast to, but you try picking up a half decent FM signal when your house is deep in one of the valleys of High Wycombe.  Therefore, on the rare occasions when I'm not actually at a ground or on kids duty internet commentary is pretty important to me.  Not as important though as for @3Lions4Ever trying to listen in from the US today or @MadridHornet currently residing in Spain.  They aren't able to get in the car, drive for a half a mile and get to hear Luke Ashmead and the brilliantly enlightening Tommy Mooney (another thing he is a legend for) on the car stereo.

Todays attempt to listen was, if anything, more annoying than on the opening day of the season when for the first ten minutes HornetsPlayer listeners got to hear the McDonalds v Huddersfield commentary.   A truly anti-climatic start to the season yes, but it at least it was commentary.  This afternoon I simply couldn't log in.  Every time I entered my user name and password (and I checked I was using the right one several times) I was never allowed to get any further.  The URL changed automatically and seemed to suggest I was being taken to a logging out page.  Great.  I tried emptying my cache, resetting Safari and using Chrome instead.  Nothing worked.  After 15 minutes I gave up and played a game of Happy Families.  But my mind wasn't really on it and I eventually found an excuse to drive up to Flackwell Heath and gradually 3CR emerged from the abyss.

What I heard sounded like the same old same old from the Burnley and Derby games.  Lots of chances, lots of should haves but no actual proper goals.  At least we didn't concede.  Its very frustrating particularly because, again, we sounded like the better side.  There is that depressing thought that in a parallel universe somewhere there is Watford team with 9 points rather than 2, and as Derby are proving, once you start winning its a easy habit to get into however awful you might be.  Maybe in that parallel universe West Ham didn't score after 3 minutes and we went on to sneak a 1-0 win.

Any-way, the point is HornetsPlayer sort it out! Its not difficult to provide internet commentary.  I listen a lot to the WGN commentary on the Chicago Cubs via the MLB website.  In 5 years of doing this I've never had one problem.  They even record the commentary so if you miss the game you can still listen to it as live.

I, and I'm sure a lot of others, don't bother subscribing to HornetsPlayer for anything other than the 3CR commentary.  So if it doesn't work at 3pm or 7.45pm or whenever we are just kicking off there isn't actually a lot of point in subscribing at all.  I'll certainly think twice when its time to renew.

On the pitch we clearly need a new striker along side Marvin.  Sadly Troy Deeney doesn't seem to be the answer anymore than Big Chris.  We also need a big dose of self-belief and some luck.  Lets hope it appears on Tuesday and, crucially, continues into next weekend for the visit of Birmingham City.

Borehamwood 0 Watford 5

Flamin' Nora.  The first game of pre-season, the first proper football for two months and I end up missing it because of a car problem.  Thanks to the hot weather for that one.  It was one of the few pre-seasons I could get to as well.  Hope this isn't a sign of things to come.  

However, a good win for the first half team, and a decent run out for the reserves + Doyley, who always seems to get lumped in with the less experienced boys at this time of year.  Great that Buckley got a hat-trick because from his brief appearances last season I was slightly worried he was one of those that wasn't quite sure where the goal was.  Hopefully he won't do a Liam Henderson and only ever perform at Meadow Park.  

My son looked through the other results and pointed out that we were the days world champions as no other team playing managed a plus five goal difference, not even the Germans.  I reckon that can be classed as successful start for the team, even though it wasn't for me.

Multi-tasking- Coventry City 0 Watford 4

A great game to listen to, although I will confess to multi-tasking as I was also watching Liverpool-Chelsea on the telly and Wednesday-Palace on the computer.

Four-nil away!  Was the last time that happened against that Conference lot up the road?  Great for Danny Graham to get two more.  Quite harshly treated at some points this season, to end up with 14 isn't a bad haul for his first time in the Championship.  Be great if he could press on for 20+ next season.  Good on Marvin as well to open his account.  Is he the answer to the reliable striking sub Malky has been looking for?

As with last season, history will eventually make out we did okay finishing outside of the bottom third of the table.  Only those with good memories will recall just how closely we flirted with that 22nd spot.

A Tough Run In- Leicester City 4 Watford 1

It was very frustrating to hear how bad the ref was and that two of their four were conceded when we had a man advantage.   But I didn't really expect much out of this one and, looking ahead, I don't really like the look of our run in at all.

QPR might be having yet another bad spell but Tuesday night will be as tough as Warnock games always are.  He has already managed a 3-0 win over us with his other London team back in November.

Reading are rejuvenated since ditching Rodgers and could still squeak into the playoffs with a minor miracle.  Hopefully they will come to the Vic with nothing to play for and McAnuff won't inspired when we start singing rude songs about him.  As we're at home I reckon we've got a chance but again it'll be a tough game.

We always seem to do well at the Ricoh and guaranteed survival there last season.  Our future is probably going to be decided there again which maybe bodes well as we've beaten Coventry twice in three meetings at their new ground.  But they beat us earlier in the season at the Vic and, again, I can't help feeling the phrase 'tough' can be applied to this one as well.

So I think a lot of the remainder of the season is going to be about hoping other teams lose rather than relying on those in yellow to get three points.  Here are how the remaining games pan out for those most likely to still be battling to avoid 22nd until the bitter end.

Scunthorpe  (50 points, three games remaining)
Tuesday  v Reading (home)
Sat 24 April  v Doncaster (away)
Sun 2 May  v Forest (home)

Watford  (48 points, three games remaining)
Tuesday  v QPR (away)
Sat 24 April  v Reading (home)
Sun 2 May  v Coventry (away)

Palace  (47 points, two games remaining)
Mon 26 April  v West Brom (home)
Sun 2 May  v Sheffield Wednesday (away)

Sheffield Wednesday (45 points, three games remaming)
Sunday  v Sheffield United (home)
Sat 24 April  v Cardiff  (away)
Sun 2 May  v Crystal Palace  (home)

I think we could end up at the Ricoh with our ears pressed against radios listening more keenly to what's going on at Hillsborough than the game going on in front of us.  Let's hope not.

Still No Luck- Preston North End 1 Watford 1

It was said on Tuesday night by a bloke in front of me how nothing is going for us currently and that it will probably cost us our place in the Championship.  I'm not sure luck alone can be blamed but its true that we haven't had any at all recently.

Todays reports again tell that we should've had a penalty and of a goal disallowed.  Nevertheless, its still an unexpected and welcome result.  Its disappointing, of course, that Palace and Wednesday matched it and that Plymouth won.  Our game with them next Saturday now becomes far more significant than we would've wished.

Still no sign of Ryan Noble today.  As Cowie wasn't on the doubtful starters list beforehand I guess he's seen as being partly to blame for Tuesday's second half debacle.   Moons was saying on 3CR how tired Helguson looked.  Good that Will Buckley got what will hopefully be the first of many goals this season.

With DeMerit missing today, Taylor now injured and Lansbury serving a two match ban, Monday's game has become slightly more interesting just to see what sort of team we put out.  Victory will almost put West Brom up so they'll arrive in party mode.  It would be so lovely to be the poopers but I can't really see it.  In the other games Palace are home to Preston, Plymouth welcome Middlesbrough and Wednesday host Bristol City.

Dodgy- Sheffield Wednesday 2 Watford 1

Listened to most of the game tonight and it was the usual story (again) of playing well, not deserving to lose, penalty injustices, etc, etc...

Whatever. It is looking dodgy now. Very dodgy. Yes we've got games in hand but I don't much like the look of our run in. I'm not expecting anything out of Saturday. Palace is obviously vital on Tuesday. As relegation battle buddies I don't trust them to do us any favours as they are only down here because of administration.

Preston and then West Brom at home both sound awkward. Plymouth at home is winnable. Then Leicester, QPR, Reading, Coventry. All also sound awkward. So that's one obviously winnable game out of 9. If we are going to avoid the drop we're going to have to pull a couple of surprises out of the bag.

Maybe we need to abandon this policy of playing nice good football and go back to playing some nasty hoofers stuff and grind out a couple of 1-0 wins. It worked for us in 2004/5 albeit with a change of manager. It might not be pretty but its better than the alternative.

Same Old Story- Cardiff City 3 Watford 1

I listened to bits of the game on 3 Counties and apparently we had the majority of the possession, Cardiff were fairly awful, we hit the post and had a few glorious chances. However, we still managed to come away without the points.

Oh well, beforehand this wasn't a game I expect any of us really thought we had much likelihood of getting a result from. Wednesday night however is a completely different and much more important proposition.

Uneventful- Watford 0 Swansea City 1

I hate missing games but due to a family situation tonight I was forced to sit this one out. However, having just checked the OS and seen they've described the game as uneventful, even I feel quite glad to have stayed in the warm.

I think this has to be looked at in the context that Swansea are doing rather well. Lets concentrate on Peterborough and Ipswich, both of whom won tonight and neither of whom will be easy. Both are must wins if we want to stay away from that 22nd spot.

6 out of 9- Derby County 2 Watford 0

Depressing result but three games at home gives us a chance to pull away from what looks like being the only undecided relegation spot. Two out of three wins I think is realistic. The toughest test will be the first one on Tuesday.

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.

The Wrath of Malky- Blackpool 3 Watford 2

What a stupid way to lose a game when you're 2-1 up with a minute to go.

Malky said we've got to become hard to beat. I wouldn't have fancied going back into the dressing room at full time or being on the coach for the long ride back. Extra training tomorrow maybe?

The Winning Habit- Doncaster Rovers 2 Watford 1

We really need to find the winning habit again and fast if we don't want to be dragged into a depressing end of season relegation fight.

I believe we've got the players to be easily mid-table, especially as there have been no signs of a fire sale.

One good result was Chelsea's annihilation of Sunderland. It at least puts our own failings at Stamford Bridge into perspective.

Dreadful D'Urso- Watford 0 Nottingham Forest 0

He has never liked us, and always manages to make at least one baffling decision whenever he is in charge of a game we're involved in. However he never seems to get the reception he deserves in a way that Styles does or Atwell would if he ever came back to the Vic (funny how we've never seen him again isn't it?) After this afternoons lack of penalty award maybe next time Andy is the man in the middle he will.

Great to hear how well we played considering Forest are getting all the plaudits at the moment. In fact of the reports I've read so far barely a mention is made of the opposition so we must have been good.

Predictable- Peterborough United 2 Watford 1

Disappointing result but after the week we've all been through probably not surprising. If you think how concerned we've been imagine being Malky or one of the players. Not exactly an ideal build up. A shame the snow didn't get it postponed.

No Surprises- Newcastle United 2 Watford 0

Annoying to concede a second goal when they were already down to ten men but I really didn't expect us to bring back the points today. What is frustrating is that Donnie went to Selhurst Park and put three past Palace. Why didn't we manage to do the same last week?

At least QPR were thrashed 5-1 at home. Hopefully they will still be in shock on Monday night.

Breathtaking, Outstanding- Watford 4 Sheffield Wednesday 1

These were just some of the comments from Sky's Bill Leslie and Garry Birtles whose company I unfortunately had the pleasure of tonight as the nasty cold that has plagued me for over a week still shows no signs of abating.

I'm no fan of the artistic merit football lover and so when praise for beautiful football is being heaped on my team I find it a difficult compliment to take. But we totally deserved it tonight having put together some fantastic sweeping moves as we attacked the Wednesday goal. The only concern I'd raise is that most of the moves involved either or both of Cleverley and Lansbury and on Sky they did have to keep highlighting the fact that their loans run out at the end of the year. Lansbury, in particular, was immense tonight and thoroughly deserved the man of the match award he got at the end.

One of the reasons I hate watching Watford on telly is that your perception of events is totally different thanks to the endless replays and neutral comments. Had I been to the game I'd probably be blissfully unaware that we were bloody lucky not to have a penalty against us in the first couple of minutes when Mariappa pointlessly handled it or that Cathcart should've been sent off for elbowing.

But one of the plus points is that I was able to appreciate how brilliant Jon Harley's goal was after watching it three extra times on Sky Plus and also how very very very close Lloydy came to scoring tonight. His move into the box was timed to perfection and if only his header had been on target I would probably have heard the celebratory roar here in High Wycombe without the help of the TV.

We are now just three points off the top of the table. Yes, really. Okay so everyone else has to play catch up tomorrow but even so we'll take this Malky. It's going well, its good to watch and its good fun. Just a shame that having played three games in seven days we've now got to wait another eight until we face the Baggies. Bring it on.

Duke!!!- Ipswich Town 1 Watford 1

It in no way makes up for the things he's done, or rather hasn't done, whilst he's been at Vicarage Road but that was bloody funny tonight.

Keano and Judas to be sacked before the weekend? The odds must be shortening.

The Incorrect Scoreline- Middlesbrough 0 Watford 1

I can recall many times, when I've tried to keep up with a Watford match that I'm not at, where I think we've scored and start leaping around the room, only then to sickeningly discover that actually we haven't. Sometimes this might be due to my kids distracting me or to whoever I'm relying on to watch it for me getting it wrong. No matter how many times it happens the pain of the incorrect scoreline never gets any easier to bear.

Most memorably, in the days before there was such a thing as the internet I was with a couple of friends and we were watching the score on Ceefax. How sad that now sounds, yet back then it was considered quite normal behaviour. I'm sure that wasn't all we were doing but it was common practise to have the telly on Ceefax during a match so you could keep up to date. Suddenly the page changed and told us Watford were winning 1-0 although both me and the other Watford supporter present said "Who" at the name of the scorer. We discussed how it could be that there was a player we didn't know. Someone on loan, a member of the youth team maybe? The page updated again after about 30 seconds and the score was corrected with us now 1-0 down, hence why we didn't recognise the name. A crushing moment made even worse by the hysterical falling on the floor laughter of the Stoke fan who was also present.

So it was wonderful today that, for once, the boot was on the other foot. I groaned "oh no" as Middlesbrough appeared to score whilst Soccer Saturdays reporter was actually live at the game. The site of the delirious fans behind him and the knowledge that this would give Boro an added impetus to probably get a winner made me feel far iller than the cold I'm currently afflicted with has. But no. What's this? Jeff Stelling is handing back to the bloke at the Riverside and its been disallowed! The score goes back to show us with a one goal advantage and bloody hell we manage to hang on too. Brilliant. Great result. Now lets go and see if we can get Roy Keane the sack on Tuesday night.