MATCHWATCH : Watford (h) sponsored by a difficulty to enthuse

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Sutekh
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MATCHWATCH : Watford (h) sponsored by a difficulty to enthuse

by Sutekh » 27 Aug 2018 15:59

Watford :|

Another one of those games that fit the ubiquitous Reading mould of “should be a local derby but isn’t”.

Honestly struggling to care about this one and such was the rapid nature of the draw you might even have forgotten it was on at all. Reading, though looking a better team than last year, still don’t show much in the way of excitement or entertainment and therefore crowds are not only down but, club 1871 aside, really struggling to provide any real inspiration to the team when it does take to the field. Therefore eschewing games like this in favour of one’s wireless machine is probably going to be a fairly common decision for many while those that do go will probably be more of your kids and families wanting to see a big gun :lol: from the PL. Even then the evening will probably turn out to be more one of swapping holiday snaps and stories than getting into the game.

And Watford isn’t really a draw that’s particularly attractive even with their PL epithet. However there is a tiniest smidgen that there could be an upset, just depends how many reserves Watford play and whether the likely squad nature of the Reading team is capable of any more threat than that which tends to pose as the first XI

Currently all Reading players are uninjured except the usual 3 (Obita, Harriott and McCleary) and Edwards. Probably expecting 4/5 of those that began the game at Villa to start with the likes of Gunter, Popa, Swift, Kelly and Meite getting game time. And with that it’s not going to be a bad side in terms of names on paper but of course these days the names when they’re on the paper tend to do rather much better than the same names on the actual grass.

Watford have won all three of their league games and are third behind Liverpool and Chelsea on goal difference in the PL. I would expect the usual “squad rotation” effect to hit their starting XI so Adrian Mariappa may well get to start and face his old club.

There is no extra time if it’s level on 90 minutes. Game will go straight to penalties.

Referee

Hampshire’s Andy Davies has got this one.

Last season Mr Davies oversaw Reading losing 2-0 to Swansea in the League Cup and then the 3-1 home defeat to Sheffield United in February.

Historically

There have been 11 league cup games between the two sides with Watford winning 5 to Reading’s 3. Both of the last two fixtures played between the teams in the competition have been in Reading (2004 and 1992) and Watford have won both with 5-0 aggregate score.

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Zip
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Re: MATCHWATCH : Watford (h) sponsored by a difficulty to enthuse

by Zip » 27 Aug 2018 19:03

Would like to see the following team:

Walker
Gunter
O’Shea
McShane
Richards
Meyler
Swift
Popa
Sims
McNulty
Meite

Old Man Andrews

Re: MATCHWATCH : Watford (h) sponsored by a difficulty to enthuse

by Old Man Andrews » 27 Aug 2018 19:31

Really think football will be the winner in this one.

Elm Park Kid
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Re: MATCHWATCH : Watford (h) sponsored by a difficulty to enthuse

by Elm Park Kid » 27 Aug 2018 19:35

Old Man Andrews Really think football will be the winner in this one.


Some people think Reading v Watford in the league cup is a matter of life and death. I assure you, it's much more serious than that.

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Watford (h) sponsored by a difficulty to enthuse

by windermereROYAL » 27 Aug 2018 19:41

Liked what I saw from Watford on telly yesterday, but I`m thinking it will be nothing like that team given they have Spurs next Sunday. we might have half a squeak.


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Re: MATCHWATCH : Watford (h) sponsored by a difficulty to enthuse

by Snowflake Royal » 27 Aug 2018 20:04

Zip Would like to see the following team:

Walker
Gunter
O’Shea
McShane
Richards
Meyler
Swift
Popa
Sims
McNulty
Meite


Walker, Gunter, O'Shea, Ilori, Richards, Rinomhota, Kelly, Popa, Sims, Meite, McNulty
But Swift to get at least 20 mins.

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JoeyJoeJoeJnrShabadoo
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Re: MATCHWATCH : Watford (h) sponsored by a difficulty to enthuse

by JoeyJoeJoeJnrShabadoo » 28 Aug 2018 10:58

thanks

Coppells Lost Coat
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Re: MATCHWATCH : Watford (h) sponsored by a difficulty to enthuse

by Coppells Lost Coat » 28 Aug 2018 11:31

Very hard to get enthusiastic over this, it has season ending injury written all over it. However I would like a cup run.........but I also dont want any more injuries for our players.
Hopefully Moore Yaidom, Bod, Barrow, Mannone and Meyler are to be fully rested. Baldock to come on as a sub.

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Watford (h) sponsored by a difficulty to enthuse

by East Grinstead Royal » 28 Aug 2018 13:02

Sutekh Historically

There have been 11 league cup games between the two sides with Watford winning 5 to Reading’s 3. Both of the last two fixtures played between the teams in the competition have been in Reading (2004 and 1992) and Watford have won both with 5-0 aggregate score.


Does anyone else remember the replay at Vicarage Road in the '70s where it was 0-0 at HT? The Watford chairman walked around the pitch whilst the players were in the dressing room, urging the home fans to get behind their team. He was one of the biggest stars in the world at the time and the Watford fans reacted in such a way that the game was completely changed when the players returned to the pitch to be greeted by a huge roar. Both teams responded to the change of atmosphere - Watford lifted their performance and Reading fell to pieces. Final score was 5-0.


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Re: MATCHWATCH : Watford (h) sponsored by a difficulty to enthuse

by windermereROYAL » 28 Aug 2018 13:12

East Grinstead Royal
Sutekh Historically

There have been 11 league cup games between the two sides with Watford winning 5 to Reading’s 3. Both of the last two fixtures played between the teams in the competition have been in Reading (2004 and 1992) and Watford have won both with 5-0 aggregate score.


Does anyone else remember the replay at Vicarage Road in the '70s where it was 0-0 at HT? The Watford chairman walked around the pitch whilst the players were in the dressing room, urging the home fans to get behind their team. He was one of the biggest stars in the world at the time and the Watford fans reacted in such a way that the game was completely changed when the players returned to the pitch to be greeted by a huge roar. Both teams responded to the change of atmosphere - Watford lifted their performance and Reading fell to pieces. Final score was 5-0.


Elton John.

windermereROYAL
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Re: MATCHWATCH : Watford (h) sponsored by a difficulty to enthuse

by windermereROYAL » 28 Aug 2018 14:02

Watford sold out their full allocation 2200 away fans, will very likely be like a home game for them.

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Watford (h) sponsored by a difficulty to enthuse

by RoyalJones » 28 Aug 2018 17:34

Southwood
Gunter -- Osho -- McShane -- Richards
Popa -- Bacuna -- Rinomhota -- Sims
McNulty -- Meite

Might be a bit inexperienced but would love some of these players to be given a game. Southwood won't start but would be nice to see a glimpse of him in goal. Osho probably won't play either.

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scumbag
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Re: MATCHWATCH : Watford (h) sponsored by a difficulty to enthuse

by scumbag » 28 Aug 2018 21:29

RoyalJones Southwood
Gunter -- Osho -- McShane -- Richards
Popa -- Bacuna -- Rinomhota -- Sims
McNulty -- Meite

Might be a bit inexperienced but would love some of these players to be given a game. Southwood won't start but would be nice to see a glimpse of him in goal. Osho probably won't play either.



Let's be honest, Rinomhota won't play either. :(


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Re: MATCHWATCH : Watford (h) sponsored by a difficulty to enthuse

by Super_horns » 28 Aug 2018 22:44

windermereROYAL Watford sold out their full allocation 2200 away fans, will very likely be like a home game for them.


You'll definantly win now!

Then all those that go will moan and say what a waste of money from our point of view.

We've lost to much worse teams than you in this competition and of course we've won 3 games already plus got Spurs at the weekend so....

Not seen a penalty shoot out live for a long time so that might be nice.!

No idea what team we will play - probably just the subs from our league games plus the odd regualr.

The rest of our squad are injured!

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Watford (h) sponsored by a difficulty to enthuse

by Hound » 29 Aug 2018 08:40

Zip Would like to see the following team:

Walker
Gunter
O’Shea
McShane
Richards
Meyler
Swift
Popa
Sims
McNulty
Meite


Think this will be about right. O shea, Meyler and McShane would be a pretty horrific and slow defensive 3 though. Think he might keep Ilori and Moore together if they are both fully fit. If not, draft O Shea in to get some minutes under his belt.

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Watford (h) sponsored by a difficulty to enthuse

by NewCorkSeth » 29 Aug 2018 12:12

Should we not be keeping Moore and Ilori on the pitch to really get their partnership going again. They need minutes on the pitch together to really gel again.

Mannone out for sure. He's been pretty unsure of himself this season it seems. Lots of spills against Villa.

If Gunter can do a half then rest Yiadom. Blackett should start so he can get some more minutes in if we are going to persist with him.

I think Bacuna and Meyler need to start if going 4-4-2. Hopefully Swift on for a half to let him practise his attacking positioning for the league.

Wings should probably be Aluko and Meite...

Bod and Baldock up front. They need to work on their partnership. McNulty on for some match practise for whoever of the 2 is looking tired.

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Sutekh
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Re: MATCHWATCH : Watford (h) sponsored by a difficulty to enthuse

by Sutekh » 29 Aug 2018 14:25

Think the only thing certain is Walker will start while the rest of the team could be any combination. However I think one or both of Popa and Gunter starting is also likely so they get some more game time.

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Watford (h) sponsored by a difficulty to enthuse

by seahawk10 » 29 Aug 2018 18:24

Old Man Andrews Really think football will be the winner in this one.


You know the drill, football is always the winner!

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WAZZOCK
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Re: MATCHWATCH : Watford (h) sponsored by a difficulty to enthuse

by WAZZOCK » 29 Aug 2018 18:45

Watford will have more fans than us at today’s game.

Our fat CEO is turning us into a laughing stock

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Watford (h) sponsored by a difficulty to enthuse

by sandman » 29 Aug 2018 18:53

WAZZOCK Watford will have more fans than us at today’s game.

Our fat CEO is turning us into a laughing stock


That's because they're the only people on the face of the earth who want to pay to watch Watford.

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