John Joe On Tyne

http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sport/localsport/3806700.Watford_midfielder_linked_with_Newcastle_United_switch/

The speculation has started. Unsurprisingly its the younger JJOT rather than Tommy who has become the first named player to be linked with a move away in January. But I don't reckon it'll be long before Tommy is being linked with a Wolves, QPR, West Brom or Stoke type outfit. Or knowing how they love our players Fulham.

For either we definitely want more than £1million. Especially for JJ if the likes of Newcastle are interested. Although one wonders who makes that decision with the club being sold and Roy Kinnear in temporary charge. I think the Sunderland option is far more likely especially with JJ turning out for the Republic of Ireland's Under 21's.

I feel so resigned to it that I'm already thinking I hope they are the only ones to go, rather than I hope they don't go at all. I just don't see how we'll hang onto them giving our much publicised financial state.

Prostitution

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/england/7697201.stm

Even by the standards of football this series looks like prostitution.

I can kind of understand KP's gripes and I don't begrudge anyone the chance to earn a million if some stupid billionaire is prepared to give his money away.

But at the same time I've heard it argued by various cricketing experts that the players have no choice but to be there as they are contracted to the ECB.

However they seem to be able to decide for themselves on morale grounds not to go and partake in Mugabe's circus. Maybe next year they could get some credibility back by doing the same to Stanford.

'Arry

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/hampshire/7695590.stm

I can see why the Portsmouth fans booed.

"Arry says he couldn't pass up the chance to manage a big club before he retires.

But what is a big club exactly?

Okay I'll admit that in my own perception Spurs are a bigger club than Portsmouth.

But I can't imagine that Harry is going to manage to achieve anymore at White Hart Lane than he already has on the South Coast. I'm sure he isn't naive enough to think he can break into the Top 4.

So what does that leave? The F.A Cup. Unlikely even when the year ends in 1. Apart from this season the last 11 winners have all come from the big four.

The Carling Cup. Possibly, but having just won the FA Cup its not as prestigious for Harry. Spurs are fairly used to winning it and doing so again isn't really improving on anything.

The Premiership. Best either Portsmouth or Spurs can expect is 5th. And with the squad that Harry assembled at Fratton Park I'd expect Defoe, Crouch, Campbell, James and co to achieve it first.

The UEFA Cup. Both are already in the competition so Harry gains nothing by jumping ship and I reckon Portsmouth are far more likely qualifers for next seasons 'new' Europa Cup.

So why go? Especially when you already live in Bournemouth. Makes no sense at all. If he got the job at Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool or Man U I could understand it but I think the boo-ers had a point.

Sinking Feeling- Preston North End 2 Watford 0

Ho hum.

I always get a sinking feeling whenever the reporter on Sky Sports says we are playing well. Sure enough five minutes later we were 1 down.

This season seems to be about fluctuating between flirtation with the bottom three and getting ourselves into a position where if we win the next game we'd leap up to about 10th. But everytime we get into that position we never make the leap.

Oh well, I know I've said it before but so far its still heaps more fun than last season.

American Arses- San Diego Chargers 32 New Orleans Saints 37

I know how lucky I was to get this ticket. Half a million applied for some 80,000 available.

I used to go to see the London Monarchs back in the early 90's when they played at the old Wembley. I always enjoyed it and I realise now this was because I always managed to get a seat side on to the action.

Alas, for this point scoring fest I was behind one of the endzones and so realised a big difference between watching our football and theirs. You cannot enjoy a game in nearly the same way unless you are well positioned in the middle of the pitch. With the position of the ball being everything to understanding and enjoying the game you can't see anything if you are constantly looking for it through 11 enormous American arses (or in this case I guess the correct term is asses).

One small benefit was that early on when the Saints kicked a field goal the ball missed the large net which is supposed to catch it and the bloke next to me caught it. He was generous and maybe a foolhardy in that he then passed it round for everyone to see and I am pleased to report he did manage to get it back.

We all spent most of the time watching the game on the not big enough big screen opposite. Why in these days of widescreen tv's do stadiums still have 4:3 screens? At some crucial points people turned round to the big screen behind (which was much closer) and took pictures of the action. I found this very weird. You wouldn't sit in your front room taking a picture of the telly. So if you are at a live event take a picture of the thing happening live rather than on a screen. Weird.

Also the acoustics were rubbish. Again I'm sure it was where I sat but it was impossible to hear what was being said by the officials which is a big part of the game as the sound echoed from every speaker making it inaudible.

The match was a good one. Exciting and on a knife edge until the last minute. Far better than last years clash between the Giants and Dolphins. Just a shame the Chargers didn't manage to make it go into overtime. A bit like Watford yesterday they seemed to play really well when they were behind but never quite got it together to get in a position to win the game.

The cheerleaders performed exactly the same routine they had at Vicarage Road on Tuesday night. But they made up for it by still being just as gorgeous.

The stadium was good, but as an old traditionalist I didn't find it as unique or enticing as the old Wembley. You are much nearer the pitch for sure, but aside from the arch you could be at any big stadium in the world. I wouldn't even say its as good as the Emirates. The seats haven't got that special padded bit and whilst the legroom was good it wasn't as impressive as 'longer than in the old royal box' sounds. Even the toilets of which there are meant to be many many more still had long queues at half time.

The worst aspect of the day was the merchandise. There had been problems last year apparently and I'd read an interview in which it was promised these problems had been ironed out. Yet when I arrived at the stadium an hour and a half before kick off all the merchandise stands I visited had sold out of every article of clothing commemorating the day that might have fitted me.

They still had plenty of gear for those supporting either team, and some stands even had stuff for all 32 NFL teams but this completely missed the point. Almost everyone you saw was wearing stuff from one team or another. We already had the stuff on sale. They wouldn't sell Man Utd or Chelsea shirts at a Man Utd-Chelsea F.A Cup Final. It would be like selling snow to eskimos. But this is what they tried to do on Sunday

What we all wanted (and I spoke to a few people whilst we pointlessly queued up to be told they'd sold out) was a t-shirt, sweater or baseball cap that told the world we'd been to see the International Series game. Next year, if there is a game at Wembley, someone sort this out! We wanted this stuff and would've paid the ridiculous amounts charged. Someone (the NFL I guess) would make a fortune.

Fatal Flaws- Watford 2 Wolverhampton Wanderers 3

I made the mistake of getting tickets in the Lower Rous as I took my Dad to the game as a birthday treat.

I'd forgotten how shallow the LR is and it didn't help that the people in front of us were up and down more frequently than a whore's drawers (the bloke in front of me's words, not mine). However revenge was gained when one of them tried to climb over into our row (heaven knows why) and got his foot trapped in the seat. He was stranded there for at least a minute like a beached whale whilst his friends tried various ways of rescuing him.

If it had been a boring game this would have livened the proceedings but as it was a game you couldn't take your eyes off it was just annoying.

The team did nothing to change Aidy's opinion that we give away silly goals when we allowed Iwelumo to chest the ball in after less than a minute.

As with Tuesday night we seem to have certain fatal flaws that ensure we don't get three points. Today's was that we never seemed to play well until we were behind. Twice we wrestled our way impressively back into the game but then didn't really look bothered about getting the winner.

Even Tommy Smith got in on the act blazing a penalty over the bar. It feel wrong to criticise Tommy given how he has easily been our best player for the couple of seasons but if you are going to take a pen at least getting it on target. He did kind of make amends with some dazzlingly play once we were 3-2 down but we never managed to get the crucial third goal, and even if we had Wolves probably would've found a fourth.

All in all a frustrating afternoon.

Joey Barton- Role Model?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/n/newcastle_united/7685293.stm

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!

Especially the kids can't relate to Beckham and Owen bit. I thought he was stupid before but a word hasn't been invented for what I think about him now.

Charmed- Watford 2 Cardiff City 2

I was just thinking how we hadn't had a game this easy or uneventful in ages. Ahead in the first couple of minutes through JJOT and then 2 up courtesy of a dodgy deflection and everything was happy and serene at Vicarage Road. The referee appeared to be giving the majority of decisions our way and neither linesman had done anything stupid. The only notable thing about the Cardiff side was there right back looked like he was about 103 with his Philip Schofield style grey hair.

I was just starting to look around the ground to see if the promised New Orleans Saints cheerleaders were warming up for their halftime routine. Then Priskin raised his arm to a Cardiff defender in their penalty area whilst awaiting a free kick and suddenly the game reverted to that which we have become familar with this season at the Vic (and is precisely the reason why this season is soooo much more enjoyable than the last). The sending off seemed justified in that no-one complained too much and Priskin didn't receive the usual standing ovation of other recent red carded 'orns.

After that it became interesting. Not that being 2-0 up wasn't great but we kind of looked like we would have cruised to the 3 points fairly easily until then. Afterwards it was as if someone had clicked on one of the scenairos you can find on certain PS2 games, where the aim isn't really to win but to come through the situation you're placed in.

The trouble was we reacted as if we'd had two players sent off. The game became reminiscant of the infamous Styles Blackburn game seven years ago. We defended very very deep and reverted to a kind of 4-4-1 formation.

We reached half time okay (during which Jobi McAnuff and the majority of the males in the stands very much enjoyed the cheerleaders) but the second half was all about Cardiff. Richard Lee was, yet again, superb. The penalty save not even being the best of the night. Having said that our goal did seem to live a very charmed life. Even after watching the replays on the big screen it was difficult to explain how a couple of their attempts hadn't gone in.

Alas, the charm lasted until 70 minutes rather than the 90. Having thought our luck was in by scoring earlier from Hoskins very deflected shot, the luck evened out by Jay Bothroyd scoring in the same way. He then blasted another past Richard Lee and we looked like we'd be lucky to hang on.

We did however and whilst coming away this felt very much like 2 points lost, in the cold light of day a draw against a team in the playoffs when we were down to 10 men for 60 minutes wasn't bad at all.

Not Caring- Wycombe Wanderers 1 Darlington 1

I wasn't at St.Marys yesterday partly because it's my wifes birthday weekend but partly because my son had tickets for Wycombe v Darlington, which he got through after school football training (we live in Bucks) so I said I'd take him along.

I've been to Adams Park a good few times as shortly after we moved here the whole Vialli debarcle started. There came a time when I decided I'd had enough. As I'd moved to a new area with a new local team, I'd leave Vialli to it and start going to watch the Wycombe.

I went around half a dozen times even watching them play Brentford one very chilly night in the Auto Windscreens Shield (now Johnstone's Paint Trophy) when the crowd numbered barely more than a thousand. But the trouble is, they just weren't Watford. No matter how hard I tried I just couldn't get into supporting a team that wasn't wearing the yellow, red and black.

Maybe its the lack of history. When you've watched a team for a long time you can always refer back to other games, or other seasons where similar things have happened.

Maybe its the players. Even in my most concentrated period trying to follow Wycombe I could never remember the names of more than a few. And they meant nothing to me. Whereas I've always been able to recognise most of the Watford reserves, never mind the first XI.

Maybe its the familiarity. I just don't appreciate Adams Park in the same way that I love Vicarage Road. I know the Vic has a lot of flaws but I don't see them. I even love the old East Stand, in fact, its probably my favourite of the lot. Its sad to see it empty but its still nice to see it at all. Whereas going to Adams Park I can see every flaw. For a start its possibly the only league ground actually in the countryside. Sure its just in High Wycombe, but only in the sense that it is the first or last point you come to before endless fields, hills and woods. During a boring bit of the second half I watched three riders on horseback disappearing off into the distance. Because of its location it is THE coldest ground in the country. Also there is only one road in and out so getting to it and home again is a nightmare. I live 6 miles from Adams Park and about 13 from the Vic. Yet I arrived back home at 5.45pm, exactly the same time I usually get home from Watford.

The mascot is stupid. Whereas Harry is clearly a caricuture of a hornet, Wycombe is a caricuture of, um, a person. Yeah, it works really well. Really cute. Think, kind of Its a Knockout crossed with the Adams Family and you've got the idea.

The queues for the loo and food stalls are long, much longer than ours at half time.

I could go on (and on and on). But basically the 'til I die' chant is spot on. Probably I think its in the genes. Trying to support anyone else just doesn't work and I felt no connection for the Chairboys (stupid nickname) at all yesterday, just as I'd failed to do 7 years ago. In fact, I felt more connection with Darlo having seen them once already this season. Their goalkeeper was still in his endearing illuminous orange outfit. And they battled hard and well taking the lead with a nice move in the first half.

The second half provided entertainment of a different kind when there was a punch up and a Darlo player got sent off. In the fall out of this, for no obvious reason, two Wycombe players squared up one hitting the other. He got sent off too. It was the best bit of the game.

We left early. Something I would never ever do at Watford. I can't even understand how people can do it at the Vic (unless maybe they're fans of other teams supporting the 'Orns for the afternoon). But my son was too cold and was asking to go home and not feeling any connection with the team I agreed. Therefore we missed Wycombe's last equalising penalty but I really didn't care.


The Darlo keeper still hasn't quite got the hang of camouflage.

No More If Only's...Southampton 0 Watford 3

What a shame we couldn't start this excellent winning streak against Southampton back in 2003. I can still see Helgussons header from the first few minutes of the FA Cup Semi Final and remember that leap of delight and then crushing disappointment as we realised it had been turned just the wrong side of the post. If only...

But no 'if only' anymore when we play Southampton this being our 4th win on the trot. To cap it all the luck finally went our way with Richard Lee not getting sent off and then saving two penalties. Any 'keeper should be rightly praised for saving them and for Rich it couldn't have come at a better time. However it must be said, having seen the evidence, these weren't exactly the best taken penalties ever. Especially the first one which looked more like an old fashioned pass back to the keeper.

The same could be said for the Saints defending. It looked like they made the same mistake three times and found themselves 3 down. Great for Priskin to get what was coming to him after so many matches. In Will Hoskins we finally found someone who can bring out the best in Tamas. His back-heel just rubbed salt into the Saints wounds.

Having been threatening the bottom three a win on Tuesday night and we could be in striking distance of the playoffs again. As with last year the Championship is going to be THAT sort of division again.