Tottenham Hotspur (1-3) 3-11-16 20 pts.

I did not get to see this one as I was out of town, but Mr. Mojo, an FC Basel fan did and asked me if we ever shot at the goal.

Point taken. I wonder myself sometimes.

Hendo did manage a goal in the waning minutes and the fans were treated to a rare goal from the opposing goalie, but otherwise an uneventful, but expected, spanking by Tottenham. And if our butts aren't red enough, Chelsea visits Vicarage Road March 31.

The squad takes a break as international competition hits the stage the next couple of weeks. As mentioned before, I'll be keeping an eye on our buddy Jay as the USA squad hosts Ecuador and Guatemala.

Not Quite Game Day - Tottenham Hotspur

If you'll click on the link above, you'll get Paul Wilson's excellent analysis of tomorrow's match. Not really a 'must win' as the improbable task of staying up is beyond us now. A win here would be for pride. As Paul points out, both squads are focused on the FA Cup now, especially the Spurs who will face Chelsea two days later.

We are generally healthy right now with Marlon King the only player drawing sick pay at the moment. Odds are long on a Hornet's win however. However it turns out, it will NOT be a preview of the FA Cup semis - we have drawn the winner of Monday's Manchester United/Middlesbrough replay.

I'll be travelling and miss the match, scheduled to kick-off at 10:00 St. Louis time, but I'm hoping to get the replay on Fox Soccer Channel (FSC) at 3:30. Go 'Orns!

Foster Re-Signs with Man. U.

Ben Foster, one of the top goalies for any club this season, has signed a new contract with Manchester United, the squad from which he has been on loan to Watford. His role there is still a bit uncertain with Van Der Sar, Man. U.'s current #1 goalie, also inking a new deal. Good luck to him and a big thank you for some terrific play with the Hornets.

U-S-Jay! U-S-Jay!

The recognition is long overdue (he should have been on the '06 World Cup team), but Hornet's defenseman and Green Bay native Jay DeMerit has finally been tapped to join the US National squad. He'll be winging back across the pond after Saturday's game against the Spurs and will be on the national team for the March 25 & 28 matches against Ecuador & Guatemala respectively. Always a favorite for his talent and attitude, the Watford fans & club are wishing Jay all the best!

FA Cup: Plymouth Argyle 1-0

Seven of us made it Barrister's today to see Watford slip into the FA Cup semi-finals on Hamuer Bouazza's 21st minute one-touch goal. Assisted by Kabba, the shot threaded through quite a bit of traffic to settle in the net.

I say 'slipped in' because the Hornet's offense was not up to par with the Pilgrim's who managed to squander a few opportunities to reverse the outcome. Plymouth lead the way with 13 corner kicks won to Watford's 3 and bested the Hornets on goal attempts 14-5. Fortunately a healthy Ben Foster was in goal and managed 4 saves to salvage the win.

Foster and James Chambers returned to the pitch after injuries in fighting form; both picked up yellow cards, Foster his 1st, Chambers his 4th (including 2 at Cardiff). Plymouth reciprocated with two of their own from Seip and Connoly (I'm not sure what the official charge was, but if you could get a booking for 'bellyaching', Connoly earned his).

You can't deny luck has played a role getting us this far, mostly from cup ties (Stockport County, West Ham United, Ipswich Town, and Plymouth Argyle aren't exactly the Manchester Uniteds of the world), but we'll need luck and talent going forward to the next round which commences mid-April.

In other Cup action:

• The Blackburn Rovers are in with a 2-0 win over Manchester City
• Chelsea fought back from a two-goal deficit at Stamford Bridge against Tottenham Hotspur to send the teams to White Hart Lane next Monday for a replay after a 3-3 draw.
• Middlesbrough drew Manchester United at home 2-2 to send that matchup to Old Trafford on Monday as well.

Watford's next match is a Premiership clash against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane Saturday March 17th. Kickoff is 10:00 am St. Louis time.

Charlton Athletic (2-2) 3-11-14 20 pts.

Now that's the Watford I know and love - handing over a goal in the last five minutes to turn a win into a draw. Charlton fought back in the second half - give them credit. A Luke Young goal(Billong asst.) in the 67th minute and the minute 89 header by Darren Ambrose (asst. Rommedahl) salvaged a point for Charlton and took the wind out of Watford's sail going into the next round of the FA Cup next Sunday. Three more saves by Richard Lee, but not enough.

Next match is Sunday, March 11 at noon St. Louis time against Plymouth Argyle for a spot in the FA Cup semis. The match should be on Fox Soccer Channel. I'm planning on getting a gang together at Barrister's for ale & eggs. I'll be there with my colors on - come by and join us.

2-0 at the Half

If only we'd played like this all year! Damian Francis is Man-of-the-Match thus far with a hat-trick of sorts: one goal (21st minute with an assist from Tommy Smith), one assist (on Hamuer Bouazza's minute 15 goal) and one booking (joined here by Mariappa for Watford and Fortune for Charlton).

Decent play up front with Carson making 4 saves in addition to the 2 that slipped past. Lee's grabbed 2 himself in what has been one of the better halves this season from the Hornets.

Game Day Charlton

This one is a must-win for the Addicks but more a matter of pride for Watford who are without the services of Foster for another match. The rest of the injury new is brighter - King is still out of course, but Chambers and Carlisle are building fitness, the former in reserve matches and the latter on loan to L*t*n Town for a month. Despite home-turf advantage, the odds-makers have this one even. With Lee in at goal the lineup looks like this :

Lee

Mariappa DeMerit Shittu Stewart

Smith Mahon Williams Bouazza

Francis Priskin

Go 'Orns!

Tomorrow's Game not Televised in US

So FSC & Setanta didn't want to air the 'battle for the basement'? I guess it's the BBC website then - 9:00 am St. Louis time kick-off. The Hornets are slight favorite over Charlton.

Cup News

FA Cup

Watford's quarter-final opponent, Championship side Plymouth Argyle, has the home field advantage when the match kicks off next Sunday, March 11. The kickoff is slated for noon St. Louis time and is scheduled to be broadcast on Fox Soccer Channel. Other FA Cup matches that weekend:

M'Boro v. Manchester United
Blackburn Rovers v. Manchester City
Chelsea v. Tottenham Hotspur

League Cup

Chelsea defeated Arsenal 2-1 in the first-ever all-London final. Dubbed the 'Snarling Cup', the match saw 2 red cards and 7 yellows in addition to two Drogba goals.

Where's Yank?

You may have noticed some changes - namely Yank has been replaced by the more prosaically named John. Don't fear. It's still me.

In the conversion from Blogger to Google, two of my blogs were assigned to the same user and rather than show up with a pseudonym and the Watford crest on the one the NASD keeps tabs on, I opted to change this one. I'm working on it.