Ellington Signed

The rumors were true. West Bromwich Albion striker Nathan Ellington signed a four-year deal with Watford this week for a record-setting (for Watford) £3.25 - £4.25 million contract.

This will add some spark that's been missing up front and should quiet some of the sniping at Hornet's management for their tight-fisted ways; it is likely to spur rumors about Henderson or Kabba's eminent departure however.

Leicester Manager Sacked

From the Glasgow Times:

Leicester have parted company with manager Martin Allen - just hours after he helped save Clive Clarke with mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

Harsh.

Leicester Defender Clive Clarke Collapses During League Cup Match

Latest is he's still stable.

Two items of note here:

Clarke was one of only seven Foxes not to score on us Saturday - had he been well it may have been 5-1.

Second: Note the teams agreed to STOP THE MATCH. Just another reminder the Brits are a bit more civilized than us. It took an earthquake to stop the World Series.

LC: Southend United 0-2

. . . and cut! That's a wrap for the League Cup this season. 2-nil to piddly Southend. It looked like lack of defense and solid midfield play from what I've read and it really smarts. Cup play was one of the brighter points last season, especially the FA Cup. I hope this means we can concentrate on League play. Rubbing salt in the wounds, L*t*n Town upset Sunderland 3-nil to advance.

Next round commences the week of September 24.

Leicester City (1-4) 2-0-1 6 pts.

Ugly.

Frustration abounded as the Hornets embarrassed themselves in this 4-1 foul-fest (11 yellow cards between the squads - including Kabba's third in three matches). The saving grace was Marlon King's penalty goal in the waning minutes to avoid the shutout. In addition to Kabba, Mahon, King, Shittu, and Stewart picked up yellows for Watford.

Aidy must correct this NOW. A disintegration like this against a mediocre squad bodes ill far worse than any of the Premier League spankings we took last season. How they bounce back against Ipswitch Town will be crucial.

Meanwhile, League Cup action continues Tuesday as the Hornets travel to Southend United for round two.

Game Day: Leicester City

The Hornets take their unbeaten-undrawn upon record to Walkers Stadium to take on the 0-1-1 Leicester City Foxes. Boothroyd has made little change to the line-up - Steve Kabba for Darius Henderson in at striker being the only change.

Go 'Orns!!

Stoke City Striker Jailed

Stoke City sets atop the standings with Watford at the moment. Here's the story:

http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=reu-englandsecondpericard&prov=reuters&type=lgns

Sheffield United (1-0) 2-0-0 6 pts.

I'll have to check to see how long it took to get 6 points last season - but it wasn't two games.

Lee Williamson left-footed in the only goal (asst. McAnuff) from 12 yards out to give the Hornets their second straight victory. With Coventry, Crystal Palace, Ipswitch, Plymouth, and Blackpool all drawing and Burnley losing outright, Watford and Stoke City are left to battle for first. Stoke and Charleton are nil-nil at the half.

Kabba picked up a yellow card, his second of the nascent season, for persistent infringement.

Next match is Saturday, August 25 vs. Leicester City away. Kickoff is 9:00 am St. Louis time.

Nil - Nil at the Half

Practically even on possession, only one shot on goal (Sheffield). They also have garnered the majority of corners and penalties. Fouls have been light in front of our net indicating control of the game for Watford. Bodes well for the second half.

League Cup: Round 2 Draws

The Hornets will be travelling to take on Southend United - The Shrimpers (yes, nothing says England like shrimp) - in Round 2 of the League Cup the week of August 27. L*t*n Town will host Sunderland. For the rest of the draws see:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Football_League_Cup_2007-08#Round_Two

Game Day: Sheffield United

The Hornets dropped two 1-0 matches against Sheffield United in Premier League play last season. They've both been relegated this season and reignite the rivalry at Vicarage Road for Watford's home opener.

Watford is coming off a 1-0 league win over Wolverhampton last Saturday and a 3-0 drubbing of Gillingham in Round 1 of the League Cup Tuesday.

Sheffield United kicked off their Championship season with a 2-2 draw against Colchester and followed up with a 3-1 win over Chesterfield in the LC.

Another chance for Poom to show what he has in the net for Watford, this should be a great match as both teams fight their way back to the Premier league. Line-up for Watford is:

01 Poom
12 Doyley
06 DeMerit
04 Shittu
03 Stewart
11 McAnuff
08 Mahon
14 Williamson
21 Smith
09 King
10 Henderson

Go 'Orns !!!

Carlisle off to Burnley

Defender Clarke Carlisle signed with Burnley Thursday for a reported £200,000 in a three year deal. If someone had to go from our defender-heavy line-up, better Carlisle than DeMerit or Danny Shittu.

In a semi-related story, Aidy slapped a £60 million price tag on Marlon King, key to his promotion plans, stating, "If we get into the Premier League we get £60m, so unless somebody has £60m, Marlon's going nowhere." Hello Chelsea??

LC: Gillingham (3-0)

Taking advantage of Gillingham playing a man down after Efe Sodje was sent off, Alex Campana got the third goal of the match in the 71st minute. Richard Lee took his turn in the net today in League Cup Round 1 action.

Next round will be the week of August 27 - I'll post the draw date when I find out.

The home opener is this Saturday vs. fellow relegatees Sheffield United. Kickoff is 9:00 am St. Louis time.

LC: Watford Leads Gillingham 2-0 at the Half

Fresh off an opening day win over Wolverhampton, the Hornets take a 2-0 lead into the half in round 1 of the League Cup over League One's Gillingham. Rinaldi & Priskin have a goal each with Rinaldi chalking up a yellow card as well.

King Late Penalty Sinks Wolves

Yahoo! UK write up on the match.

Wolverhampton (2-1) 1-0-0 3 pts.

Top 'o the World Ma!! Boy it's nice to be on the other end of the standings table not to mention the other side of a last-five-minutes scoring flurry. Jordan Stewart picked up the equalizer in minute 87 and Marlon King picked up the three points for the Hornets on a penalty kick in the 90th minute.

Watford played aggressively catching 10 corners and picking up a yellow card in the person of Lee Williamson.

Next game is at Vicarage Road Tuesday the 14th as Watford opens their run for the League Cup against Gillingham. Kickoff is 1:45 pm St. Louis time.

0-1 at the Half

Excepting a late (45') first half goal by Olofinjana from 12 yards out it's been a fairly even match thus far - the play seems to be around the Wolves goal. Watford had double the corners, shots on, and shots off until the goal. The Wolves lead on fouls, mostly at midfield and in defense. We'll need to capitalize on the possessions.

Game Day - Wolverhampton Wanderers

First league game of the season - first league start for Poom in at goal. I am excited. Some new faces in the line-up, but it feels like the first day back at school with old friends for me. I'm playing an outdoor gig tonight and I'll be wearing my Watford jersey in honor of opening day.

Earlier this year, I met a cabbie in Madison from Wolverhampton; little did we know we'd be kicking off the season against each other. The BBC is doing its spotty usual on the play-by-play but I'm sure I'll be able to follow.

Starting line-up:

01 Poom
12 Doyley
04 Shittu
06 DeMerit
03 Stewart
14 Williamson
08 Mahon
11 McAnuff
21 Smith
09 King
17 Priskin

New Season, New League

Hard to believe but a new season starts tomorrow as the Hornets open up in Wolverhampton. A few new faces grace the squad, especially goal keeper Mart Poom a pickup from Arsenal to replace reclaimed favorite Ben Foster.

In addition to Foster, Watford takes the pitch without one of my favorites from last year Haneur Bouazza. Hameur was snatched up by Fulham for 4 million pounds.

I'm expecting more wins and less TV time this season, as well as an assault on promotion and a chance to learn about a few more teams. If this squad can play together well right off the bat, we'll be back in the Premiership in no time (well, nine months - but who's counting?). Kickoff is 11:20 St. Louis time.

Goooooo 'Ooooooorns!!