FA Cup: Wolverhampton (1-4)

Watford is out of the FA Cup for 2007-2008 following another uninspired performance at Vicarage Road. The offensive punch was lacking as the Hornets drew nearly even to the Wolves on shots but failed to place them in or on goal. It was an evenly matched game save for the score with Lee picking up five saves to Wayne Hennessey's six, four Watford corners to three from Wolverhampton and an almost even time of possession.

Fireworks started early with a long assist from Hennesey leading to a 12-yard goal from Andy Keough in the fifth minute - his first of two with two assists to come as well. The score was still 0-1 at the half.

Stephen Elliot made it 0-2 (Keough assist) with a left-footer from 12 yards out in minute 58. Jay Bothroyd added another (asst. Keough) from six out ten minutes later. This was finally answered by John-Joe O'Toole in minute 70, but Keough slammed the door shut in the final minute before injury time with a right-footer into the lower-left of the net from twelve yards out (asst. Darren Potter).

Back to League play Tuesday as the Hornets hit the road to confront Sheffield United. Kickoff is 1:45 pm St. Louis time.

Signings this Week

Watford has picked up left back Matthew Sadler from Birmingham City and signed the loan papers for Collins John - compensation for the move that sent Marlon King to Fulham.

Charlton Athletic (1-1) 14-6-8 48 pts.

Watford squeaked back into 2nd place Saturday in a match that had more than its share of dramatic moments. Topping the list was the late first period injury of Calum Davenport, on loan from West Ham, who was stretchered off with what was later diagnosed as a broken neck bone. Then late in the second period, Al Bangura made his first appearance since being granted a work visa and avoiding deportation.

In between Nathan Ellington managed a goal (Henderson asst) in minute 59 to be answered by a 30 yard shot (unassisted) from Darren Ambrose in the 78th minute.

Lee started in the net, Hendo & the Duke up front. Damien Francis & Jobi McAnuff picked up yellow cards.

The point lets the Hornets keep pace with WBA, who played Cardiff to a three-all draw. Bristol City fell to Crystal Palace, slipping into third place on goals.

The next match is the fourth round of the FA Cup next Saturday, January 26th at home against Wolverhampton.

King Gone

Days after rejecting a ₤4 million offer from Fulham and statements that it would take 'silly money' to move him, Marlon King is on his way to Fulhan for a mere ₤1 million more. Additionally ₤1 million of the total price will go to Nottingham Forest as fulfilment of conditions of King's transfer to Watford from Nottingham.

In 'compensation' for the departure of the Hornet's leading scorer (the second time in two seasons) striker Collins John will be on loan from Fulham for the rest of the season with an eye towards a signing. John turned down Watford however when he was wooed during last season's transfer window.

With the removal of Mahon & King, the team that took Watford to the Premiership is being slowly dismantled. You need spirit as well as skill to succeed; let's hope we have enough of both left for promotion.

Bangura Deportation Halted

Thanks in part to fans support, including the Gloryhorns petition, Al Bangura has been granted a work permit, allowing him to stay in the UK for another year and, more importantly, letting him apply for dual citizenship after that period. Great news indeed!

₤4 Million Bid for King Rejected

Watford has rejected a ₤4 million offer from struggling Premier league squad Fulham for top scorer Marlon King.

No other transfer activity has been consummated yet in the January transfer window.

Preston North End (0-1) 14-5-8 47pts.

Watford dropped to third place with a loss to cellar dwellers Preston North End Saturday. The sole goal of the match came from Neil Mellor (asst. Lewis Neal) in the 75th minute, two minutes after coming on as an injury substitution.

Coupled with a win by WBA and a draw by Bristol City, the Hornets are out of automatic promotion territory.

The next match is Saturday, January 19 at home against Charlton. Kickoff is 9:00 am St. Louis time.

Fourth Round FA Cup Tie

The next round of the FA Cup has been announced and Watford will host Wolverhampton January 26. Kickoff will be 9:00 am St. Louis time.

Jersey Mania

This from Goal, the New York Times' soccer blog. I mention it here because the David Morrison cited in the article (and check out the link) is Mr. Mojo's brother (hereby dubbed Mr. Brojo).

Former Captain a Hoopster

A little late on this update, but former captain Gavin Mahon is on loan to Queen's Park Rangers with an eye towards a permanent transfer. Gavin proved himself a team leader on and off the field, leading the charge to take a pay cut to keep Watford afloat and captaining the squad that took the Hornets to the Premier League in 2006-2207.

FA Cup: Crystal Palace (2-0)

Two headers from Danny Shittu, the first 28 minutes in on an assist from Lee Williamson, the second at the 65 minute mark (assist Jordan Stewart) formed all the scoring in a Watford-dominated match that ended the Hornet's streak of seven home matches without a victory.

I did not catch the match as I was on the road. Watford returns to league play Saturday, January 12th as they travel to Deepdale to take on Preston North End. Kickoff is 9:00 am St. Louis time.

A program note: I'll likely miss that match and probably Charlton as well as Netscape has coughed up a hairball and I'd need to follow from work (unpopular at home). Reports will probably be delayed.

Aidy Interview in FourFourTwo

My wife, thoughtful lass that she is, got me a subscription to FourFourTwo, England's monthly football magazine, for my birthday. After a long wait and some phone calls, I finally got my first two issues and lo and behold, Aidy Boothroyd was the subject of December's "You Ask the Questions". My favorite:

Q: After your experience and Derby's (both were promoted and relegated after one season - ed.), is it worth going up?

A: Let's be fair, whoever sent that question needs to get a grip on themselves

Southampton (3-0) 14-5-7 47 pts.

Now that's more like it! Three teams crowd the top of the tables as Watford and Bristol City, with its 2-1 victory over Coventry City, gained three points each on West Brom, 0-2 losers to Ipswitch Town.

Marlon King stuck in Watford's second goal (unassisted) in minute 54, a left-footer from 20 yards out into the upper right corner of the net and Darius Henderson capped the match in the 62nd minute from 12 yards out with an unassisted kick into the lower right of the goal.

Watford takes a breather from league play as they enter the FA Cup action at Vicarage Road against Crystal Palace this Saturday, January 5th. Kickoff is 9:00 am St. Louis time. The Hornets took Palace down 2-0 in October in league action at their last meeting.

1-0 at the Half

A cross by Tommy Smith set up a 6-yard goal for Damien Francis in the last minutes of the first half. Southampton leads on possession, shots, and by a wide margin fouls, but it's the Hornets that have the tally. Richard Lee has three saves so far and it looks like Watford's on-again/off-again defense is on today.

Game Day: Southampton

Happy New Year!!

King starts in place of Ellington and Danny Shittu is in for Jackson but otherwise this is the same team that stumbled at home Saturday against QPR. The Hornet's have been a much better team on the road of late and hopefully that trend will continue today. Poom is dressed today but Lee continues to start in the net.

Go 'Orns