MATCHWATCH : Watford (a)

[Snowball]

When I did my run-in predictions I was surprised to see Watford nicking
top-spot on the last day on GD... not so sure of THAT now!

But yesterday's Norwich 7-0 has made a GD turn-round significantly harder for Watford
and it will be interesting whether those goals affect the players.

Up until last night the chase was on (and there is Norwich v Watford to come)
but watching your rivals play so brilliantly must be a blow.

Even if Brentford win their game in hand they will be six points behind Watford
with six games to go. Watford must surely think they are almost-there.

Mind, they have a tough finish: Reading; Millwall; Norwich; Swansea and Brentford (plus Luton)

[Nameless]

When I did my run-in predictions I was surprised to see Watford nicking
top-spot on the last day on GD... not so sure of THAT now!

But yesterday's Norwich 7-0 has made a GD turn-round significantly harder for Watford
and it will be interesting whether those goals affect the players.

Up until last night the chase was on (and there is Norwich v Watford to come)
but watching your rivals play so brilliantly must be a blow.

Even if Brentford win their game in hand they will be six points behind Watford
with six games to go. Watford must surely think they are almost-there.

Mind, they have a tough finish: Reading; Millwall; Norwich; Swansea and Brentford (plus Luton)

Watford will be entirely focused on finishing in the top 2. The title is really pretty meaningless these days. You get promoted just as much as runners up.

[Snowball]

When I did my run-in predictions I was surprised to see Watford nicking
top-spot on the last day on GD... not so sure of THAT now!

But yesterday's Norwich 7-0 has made a GD turn-round significantly harder for Watford
and it will be interesting whether those goals affect the players.

Up until last night the chase was on (and there is Norwich v Watford to come)
but watching your rivals play so brilliantly must be a blow.

Even if Brentford win their game in hand they will be six points behind Watford
with six games to go. Watford must surely think they are almost-there.

Mind, they have a tough finish: Reading; Millwall; Norwich; Swansea and Brentford (plus Luton)

Watford will be entirely focused on finishing in the top 2. The title is really pretty meaningless these days. You get promoted just as much as runners up.

Of course, but there's a huge difference between going eyeballs out
to (a) Maybe sneak top-spot and (b) keeping ahead of an in-form Brentford

But they are at the point now that a draw isn't a disaster

[Snowflake Royal]

I think we of all clubs have seen how much a winner's medal can mean to players with Harte and Roberts.

[Sutekh]

Araruna now back in “full contact” training, possibly may get a place on the bench Friday if no further setbacks. If he is OK that’ll at least give more cover at right back and in midfield for the run-in.

[Snowball]

I think we of all clubs have seen how much a winner's medal can mean to players with Harte and Roberts.

Of course, but Watford are playing "in hope" that "if they win X games"
AND Norwich start seriously dropping points
AND there's a good GD turn-round

they might "MIGHT get top spot.

More likely they aren't going to strain for it when a win and five draws would probably get them home now.


Brentford IF they win their game in hand will have to gain six points in six games,
but their form is awful and they have some very tough games

Put another way, If Watford W1D5 they will be on 87 points with a GD of at least 31
Brentford would need to get 18 points from their last 9 games to be sure of getting second

True it's not yet "over" but the Brentford Bottlers would have to win 6 from 7

Preston AWAY
Millwall HOME
Cardiff HOME
Bournemouth AWAY
Rotherham HOME
Watford HOME (I guess beating Watford changes the formula, but that still have to do it)
Bristol AWAY

Bristol away and (probably) Rotherham at home and the only two "obvious" wins.

Watford must "know" they are 99% home and dry which is why the bookies have the 1/8 for top two.

They have
Reading, Millwall, Swansea at home
Luton, Norwich, Brentford Away

I can see how it COULD go wrong for them, but I wouldn't bet n it.

[Snowball]

Trying to decide what to predict for Friday Night’s game, and initially "worried" because, first-glance, Watford’s stats seemed awesome, I thought I’d take a look.

Having taken that look, I have to say they are a bit flattered. They have had an incredibly easy ride January-March

Sure they have won 13 games, but look who they have beaten:

 Wednesday, Birmingham, Rotherham, Wycombe, Derby, Preston, Forest, Blackburn, Stoke, Bristol.

Position-wise those teams are 24-23-22-21-18-17-16-15-14.

They also played Coventry (20th) and drew.

As for better sides, they’ve beaten Cardiff and Barnsley but have lost to Bournemouth, Swansea and QPR (12th)

I find it incredible that in 2021 they have played

4 (LOST), 5, 7 (LOST), 8, 10, 11, 12 (LOST), 14,15,16, 17, 18, 20 (DREW), 21, 22, 23, 24

They seem to have perfected the Flat-Track Bully Game but are certainly not invincible failing to beat Coventry, Millwall and Boro, and losing to Swansea, Bournemouth and QPR. Mostly good sides have had their measure.

They still have to play 1, 3, 4, 6, 9, 13,

Middlesbrough Away 1-1
Wednesday Home 1-0
Birmingham Home 3-0
Rotherham Away 4-1
Cardiff Away 2-1
Forest Home 1-0
Wycombe Home 1-0

Bournemouth AWAY 0-1 LOST

Blackburn AWAY 3-2
Derby HOME 2-1
Preston AWAY 1-0
Bristol HOME 6-0

Coventry AWAY 0-0 DREW
QPR HOME 1-2 LOST
Millwall AWAY 0-0 DREW
Stoke AWAY 2-1
Barnsley HOME 1-0
Swansea AWAY 1-2 LOST

[CountryRoyal]

I just hope this isn't a repeat of the Brentford game where we play really well and with such an intensity, but ultimately come up short and then the fall out of which sees our form drop. If we're going to lose I'd rather we just did it at a canter. Bigger more winnable and season defining games coming up.

[Snowball]

I just hope this isn't a repeat of the Brentford game where we play really well and with such an intensity, but ultimately come up short and then the fall out of which sees our form drop. If we're going to lose I'd rather we just did it at a canter. Bigger more winnable and season defining games coming up.

I get you.

I originally factored in us losing and still thought even a 2-0 reverse was OK
as we could beat Derby, Cardiff, Swansea, Huddersfield, and anything from
Watford and/or Norwich would be a bonus.

Only worry would be a tonking which with GD might
be the equivalent of -1 points

This is such a tricky one, but any kind of win would be mega.

[CountryRoyal]

I just hope this isn't a repeat of the Brentford game where we play really well and with such an intensity, but ultimately come up short and then the fall out of which sees our form drop. If we're going to lose I'd rather we just did it at a canter. Bigger more winnable and season defining games coming up.

I get you.

I originally factored in us losing and still thought even a 2-0 reverse was OK
as we could beat Derby, Cardiff, Swansea, Huddersfield, and anything from
Watford and/or Norwich would be a bonus.

Only worry would be a tonking which with GD might
be the equivalent of -1 points

This is such a tricky one, but any kind of win would be mega.

Any kind of points would be a bonus tbf imho. I think we CAN get a result, but we just more than likely wont. Who know, stranger things have happened, just hope we don't spunk our load too early.

[Dick Habbin's hairdo]

HRH Duke of Edinburgh has croaked. Might that mean that this evening's match is off?

[tidus_mi2]

HRH Duke of Edinburgh has croaked. Might that mean that this evening's match is off?

Has the death of a member of the Royal Family postponed football before?

[Hendo]

HRH Duke of Edinburgh has croaked. Might that mean that this evening's match is off?

Highly doubt it. Will be a minutes silence.

[morganb]

HRH Duke of Edinburgh has croaked. Might that mean that this evening's match is off?

Highly doubt it. Will be a minutes silence.

A fitting tribute would be a win for the team known as The Royals

[boycey]

HRH Duke of Edinburgh has croaked. Might that mean that this evening's match is off?

Highly doubt it. Will be a minutes silence.

A fitting tribute would be a win for the team known as The Royals

Amen sister

[Snowflake Royal]

Highly doubt it. Will be a minutes silence.

A fitting tribute would be a win for the team known as The Royals

Amen sister

Someone should definitely mention this to Watford.

[Hendo]

Automatic 0-3 win. Sounds good to me.

[Snowflake Royal]

Automatic 0-3 win. Sounds good to me.

3-1 he definitely scored the occasional og.

[Mid Sussex Royal]

HRH Duke of Edinburgh has croaked. Might that mean that this evening's match is off?

I'm sure the Queen Mother died the morning of the 3-3 draw at Bristol C when we got promoted under Pardew

[Westwood52]

Araruna now back in “full contact” training, possibly may get a place on the bench Friday if no further setbacks. If he is OK that’ll at least give more cover at right back and in midfield for the run-in.

Only seen Araruna play a couple of times;neat and tidy on the ball in midfield.But don’t really see him as a FB in the hurly burly of the Championship.