Preston North End (Nil-Nil) 17-9-8 60 pts.

A disappointing result at home as Watford drops to third behind Stoke and Bristol City, both winners today. A solid game defensively but we just couldn't get the ball in the net.

Jay DeMerit played the last ten minutes, obviously fit but as well as the defenders have been playing, unlikely to start for a while.

The next match is March 1, at Burnley. Kickoff is 9:00 am St. Louis time.

0-0 at the Half

Lots of pressure by Watford including four shots on goal to Preston's one and seven corners, but no goals yet as Andy Lonergan has picked up five saves.

Game Day - Preston North End

The Hornets seek revenge at home against Preston today. With thirteen games left, Watford needs every point they can muster and stand a good chance to harvest three today as the squad has been playing well and no new injuries have cropped up - in fact, DeMerit is suited up and available on the sidelines.

I've mentioned I recently got DSL and have been searching for streams of the games - none today but I will begin to post links to interviews and other items of note I find.

Full line up for today's match:

Lee

Mariappa Sadler Shittu Bromby

Smith Eustace O'Toole McAnuff

Henderson Ellington

DeMerit's Merits

I accidentally triggered a shit-storm on the GloryHorns forum by asking about the whereabouts of DeMerit in Saturday's Charlton game (he was not dressed out - the consensus seems to be that he needs a little more conditioning after his injury).

The chat quickly devolved into how, with an abundance of defender wealth, we should handle Jay's return.

I'll weigh in on the 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it side'. As much as I like Jay's hustle (and talent), we've been doing quite well with Shittu, Mariappa, and newcomers Bromby & Sadler. DeMerit picked a bad time to get injured but there it is. To borrow a baseball analogy, Wally Pipp sat down in the middle of a slump only to be replaced by Lou Gehrig who didn't miss a game for the next 15 years. That's sports.

Are we going to go the rest of the season without an injury, suspension, or tired legs in the backfield. Probably not. But until then, stick with what's worked.

Charlton Athletic (2-2) 17-8-8 59 pts.

The Hornets battled back from a 0-2 deficit at Charlton to salvage a point in the standings but slipped to second place behind Stoke City, winners over Scunthorpe Saturday.

Darren Ambrose started things off for Charlton in the 15th minute (asst. Andy Gray) and Danny Shittu was nicked with an own goal to put the Hornets down two goals at the half. But the squad rallied when John-Joe O'Toole, who seems to be everywhere, right footed a goal from twelve yards out (asst. Tommy Smith) in the 54th minute and Shittu headed another (asst. Mat Sadler) 70 seconds later.

Jay DeMerit was at the match but not in the lineup.

I'm back up internet-wise at home thanks to Mike so more timely posts will be in the offing. Next match is this Saturday, February 23rd at home against Preston North End. Kickoff is 9:00 am St. Louis time.

Leicester City (1-0) 17-7-8 58 pts.

Watford held off Leicester in the second half to stay atop the standings. They needed every one of their three points as Bristol City downed Scunthorpe 1-0, edging past WBA who managed a nil-nil draw.

The next match is this Saturday, February 16 at Charlton. Kickoff is 9:00 am St. Louis time.

1-0 at the half

Looks a bit wild & wooly. Leicester dominated possession at the start but it's been all Watford since. One shot on goal for Leicester and without a few saves from Howard, the score could be much more lopsided.

Unfortunately, Watford will have to defend their lead a man down as John-Joe O'Toole was shown the red card in minute 40.

Watford's goal came in the 45th minute as a cross from McAnuff found the upper left of the goal by way of Hendo's right foot.

The Hornet's need to press the advantage in the first part of the second half before fatigue sets in.

Game Day - Leicester City

The first game I've been able to follow for a while - table leader Watford hosts Leicester City, a team that handed the Hornets their first defeat of the season. Captain Jay is still out with an injury as is Damien Francis (both expected to return against Charleton). The full line-up:

Lee

Mariappa Shittu Bromby Sadler

Eustace Ainsworth O'Toole McAnuff

Henderson Ellington

Go 'Orns!!

Ipswich Town (2-1) 16-7-8 55 pts.

The Hornets are back on top after this win and WBA's 2-1 loss to Barnsley Saturday.

A scruffy match (four Hornets - Bromby, Bangura, Eustace, & Henderson - picked up yellow cards), Watford took the lead on a Sadler corner kick headed into the net by Tommy Smith in the 32nd minute. Nathan Ellington widened the lead in minute 56 with a right-footer from 12 yards out (assist Stewart). Ipswich's Jonathan Walters foiled the shut-out mid-second half, but Watford added the full three points to the standings.

Next match is tomorrow, Tuesday February 12, at Vicarge Road against Leicester City. Kickoff is 1:45 pm St. Louis time.

Wolverhampton Wanderers (3-0) 15-7-8 52 pts.

The Hornets slid back into 2nd place Saturday with their first home win since October. There were a lot of new faces on the pitch. Leigh Bromby, former Sheffield United defender, Mat Sadler, and midfielder and former Stoke City captain John Eustace all took the field for Watford. But it was the old guard racking up the goals.

Steve Kabba headed the ball into the net from 6 yards out at the end of the first minute. There the score stood until the 76th minute when Tommy Smith managed two goals in as many minutes, the first with an assist by Nathan Ellington.

Though the Wolves managed to dominate possession, only three balls made it far enough to require a save by Lee in this shutout performance.

The next match is Saturday, February 9th at Ipswich Town. Kickoff is 9:00 am St. Louis time.

Sheffield United (1-1) 14-7-8 49 pts.

I missed this one Tuesday as I was on my way to Iowa for a funeral.

Ellington scored midway through the first half (assist Kabba) and Watford held the lead thanks in no small part to ten saves by Lee, but Sheffield United salvaged the point in minute 67 with a goal by Carney (asst. Hulse).

Third-place Watford hosts Wolverhampton for the second time in as many Saturdays tomorrow - this time in League play. Kickoff is 11:20 am St. Louis time.