Andrew Taylor scored his first goal for Middlesbrough since returning to his home club from loan to Watford. The goal late in the first half stifled the Hornet's momentum and, more importantly, played hobs with the discipline the squad has maintained in the last half of the season.
Watford jumped ahead near the half-hour mark when a Don Cowie pass found (who else?) Danny Graham who promptly right-footed it into the back of the net.
The lead lasted all of five minutes when Scott McDonald beat Adam Thompson to equalize. Taylor's goal came in added time at the end of the first half and ended up being the deciding goal.
Adrian Marriappa was shown a red card with about four minutes left in the match and Malky was sent to the stands shortly thereafter.
The Hornets have a week off to regroup before they travel to the Ricoh to face Coventry City April 2. Kickoff is 9:00 am St. Louis time.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Ipswich Town 0-3 Watford 15-11-11 56 pts.
Another 3-0 match, this time away, leaves Watford four points of the playoff zone and a goal ahead of the current sixth place resident, Nottingham Forest.
The Hornets made the most of their game in hand, this the rescheduled Boxing Day match at Ipswich Town. The asses were barely in their seats when a Don Cowie cross found the Tractor Boys sleeping (not to mention Danny Graham's head). The BBC has Troy Deeny with the goal on rebound, but the announcers credited the goal to Graham. (And speaking of announcers, that goal elicited the best quote of day: "Ipswich needs shootin' for that.")
It could easily have been 3-0 at the half with two easy misses from Will Buckley & Ross Jenkins, but leave it to Graham to get his second goal (asst. John Eustace) at the hour mark.
Don Cowie bolted the door in added time and gave Watford that slim goal difference advantage over Nottingham Forest.
The win pushes Watford ahead of last season's 53 points with nine matches left. Next match is Saturday, March 19 with Middlesbrough at Vicarage Road. Kickoff is 10:00 am St. Louis time.
The Hornets made the most of their game in hand, this the rescheduled Boxing Day match at Ipswich Town. The asses were barely in their seats when a Don Cowie cross found the Tractor Boys sleeping (not to mention Danny Graham's head). The BBC has Troy Deeny with the goal on rebound, but the announcers credited the goal to Graham. (And speaking of announcers, that goal elicited the best quote of day: "Ipswich needs shootin' for that.")
It could easily have been 3-0 at the half with two easy misses from Will Buckley & Ross Jenkins, but leave it to Graham to get his second goal (asst. John Eustace) at the hour mark.
Don Cowie bolted the door in added time and gave Watford that slim goal difference advantage over Nottingham Forest.
The win pushes Watford ahead of last season's 53 points with nine matches left. Next match is Saturday, March 19 with Middlesbrough at Vicarage Road. Kickoff is 10:00 am St. Louis time.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Aidy Sacked at Coventry City
Aidy Boothroyd, former manager of Watford who last steered the the Hornets into the Premier League in the 2006-07 season, has been sacked by Coventry City after garnering only one win in his last 16 league matches. The Sky Blues rest three places and a mere seven points above the drop zone.
Aftre leaving Watford early in the 2008-09 season, Boothroyd found his way back to League football in the 2009-10 season and signed with Coventry in May of 2010.
Aftre leaving Watford early in the 2008-09 season, Boothroyd found his way back to League football in the 2009-10 season and signed with Coventry in May of 2010.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Watford 3-0 Sheffield Wednesday 14-11-11 53 pts.
Step 1: Infiltrate your opponents by selling them your top players.
Step 2: Said players get sent off in the first 35 minutes of the their match with you.
Step 3: Bang away at their 9-man squad.
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Granted, Danny Graham had already put Watford ahead with a header from two yards out in the 10th minute, but the Blades' fate was sealed when they went two men down thanks to red cards on Wednesday's two ex-Hornets.
Darius Henderson, in his first start of the season, had already picked up a yellow when a nasty shot on Lee Hodson in the 27th minute earned him a trip up the tunnel. Sadly, Hodson's day was finished as well as he was stretchered off with a brace on his right leg and an oxygen mask (early reports said no break).
Eight minutes later, Lee Williamson joined Hendo after a challenge against Lloyd Doyley. To their (and Malky's) credit, the Hornets avoided retaliation and proceeded to batter the Blades in a disciplined fashion.
In the 58th minute, Adam Thompson failed to head in Don Cowie's effort from the corner, but Martin Taylor knocked in the rebound to go up 2-0.
And it was Ross Jenkins heading in a John Eustace cross with about 5 minutes left that gave Watford another notch in goal difference. All in all, a well-played match from the 'Orns.
Watford is still seven points (& two goals) out of playoff range, but have a game in hand against Nottingham Forest & Leeds United and will face Leeds & Norwich City once more before all is said & done.
Before that though, the next match is Tuesday with Ipswich Town at Portman Road. God help me, I always screw this up at Daylight Saving Time, but I think kickoff is 2:45 St. Louis time.
Step 2: Said players get sent off in the first 35 minutes of the their match with you.
Step 3: Bang away at their 9-man squad.
----------------------------------
Granted, Danny Graham had already put Watford ahead with a header from two yards out in the 10th minute, but the Blades' fate was sealed when they went two men down thanks to red cards on Wednesday's two ex-Hornets.
Darius Henderson, in his first start of the season, had already picked up a yellow when a nasty shot on Lee Hodson in the 27th minute earned him a trip up the tunnel. Sadly, Hodson's day was finished as well as he was stretchered off with a brace on his right leg and an oxygen mask (early reports said no break).
Eight minutes later, Lee Williamson joined Hendo after a challenge against Lloyd Doyley. To their (and Malky's) credit, the Hornets avoided retaliation and proceeded to batter the Blades in a disciplined fashion.
In the 58th minute, Adam Thompson failed to head in Don Cowie's effort from the corner, but Martin Taylor knocked in the rebound to go up 2-0.
And it was Ross Jenkins heading in a John Eustace cross with about 5 minutes left that gave Watford another notch in goal difference. All in all, a well-played match from the 'Orns.
Watford is still seven points (& two goals) out of playoff range, but have a game in hand against Nottingham Forest & Leeds United and will face Leeds & Norwich City once more before all is said & done.
Before that though, the next match is Tuesday with Ipswich Town at Portman Road. God help me, I always screw this up at Daylight Saving Time, but I think kickoff is 2:45 St. Louis time.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Bid Announced
No offer sheet yet, but it looks like:
0.5 mil cash (all GBP)
1.5 mil working capital
11 mil bond assumption
0.5 mil cash (all GBP)
1.5 mil working capital
11 mil bond assumption
Tuesday, March 08, 2011
Swansea City 1-1 Watford 13-11-11 50pts.
The Mackay/Rodgers clash was all Swans for the first hour, but a tactical change by Malky Mackay picked the lock that let a Danny Graham goal in in the 78th minute from a Troy Deeny pass to equalize the match.
For the first 60 minutes of the match Swansea led on shots, corners, possession, and, most importantly, the lone goal of the match, a 27th minute right-footer by Stephen Dobbie. Malky, playing with a sole striker up front, brought in Marvin Sordell for Will Buckley and converted into a traditional 4-4-2 to create chances at the net.
Create them it did. The Graham goal came off a terrifically timed run and the momentum swung to Watford's favor for the rest of the match. It was not enough for the win, but a point away against one of the contenders for the remaining automatic promotion slot qualifies as a good result.
The next match is Saturday, March 12, when a struggling Sheffield Wednesday, coming off their first win in sixteen matches, travels to Vicarage Road. Kickoff is 9:00 am St. Louis time.
For the first 60 minutes of the match Swansea led on shots, corners, possession, and, most importantly, the lone goal of the match, a 27th minute right-footer by Stephen Dobbie. Malky, playing with a sole striker up front, brought in Marvin Sordell for Will Buckley and converted into a traditional 4-4-2 to create chances at the net.
Create them it did. The Graham goal came off a terrifically timed run and the momentum swung to Watford's favor for the rest of the match. It was not enough for the win, but a point away against one of the contenders for the remaining automatic promotion slot qualifies as a good result.
The next match is Saturday, March 12, when a struggling Sheffield Wednesday, coming off their first win in sixteen matches, travels to Vicarage Road. Kickoff is 9:00 am St. Louis time.
Sunday, March 06, 2011
Watford 1-0 Millwall 13-10-11 49 pts.
It was Danny Graham once again as a Watford double over Millwall signaled their first win in ten matches Saturday. They also managed only their eighth clean sheet of the season, but not for lack of trying.
The Lions had two early opportunities: a Liam Trotter miss in the fifth minute and a Danny Schofield shot that flew over the net in minute 14. Millwall nearly went ahead in the 37th minute when a Schofield cross connected with Martin Taylor's head. The ensuing scramble just prevented the own goal.
Coming out of the locker rooms scoreless, it fell to a Dow Cowie pass to set up Graham and the match's only goal from six yards out in the 51st minute.
Not a pretty match, but a needed victory if Watford is to have any chance of reaching the playoff zone. The next match is (Fat) Tuesday, March 8 at Swansea City against the 2nd place Swans. Kickoff is 1:45 pm St. Louis time.
The Lions had two early opportunities: a Liam Trotter miss in the fifth minute and a Danny Schofield shot that flew over the net in minute 14. Millwall nearly went ahead in the 37th minute when a Schofield cross connected with Martin Taylor's head. The ensuing scramble just prevented the own goal.
Coming out of the locker rooms scoreless, it fell to a Dow Cowie pass to set up Graham and the match's only goal from six yards out in the 51st minute.
Not a pretty match, but a needed victory if Watford is to have any chance of reaching the playoff zone. The next match is (Fat) Tuesday, March 8 at Swansea City against the 2nd place Swans. Kickoff is 1:45 pm St. Louis time.
Friday, March 04, 2011
Mackay & Dyche Extend Contracts
Gaffer Malky Mackay & assistant manager Sean Dyche have signed three-and-a-half year contracts, extending their current commitments by two years.
I applaud the move. Our on-field management has shown the ability to motivate young players, ply the loan market, and make tactically astute moves on match day. Malky has proved himself a real leader at Watford.
I applaud the move. Our on-field management has shown the ability to motivate young players, ply the loan market, and make tactically astute moves on match day. Malky has proved himself a real leader at Watford.
Thursday, March 03, 2011
McGinn Out For The Season
A rough challenge by the Scots midfielder at Keepmoat last Saturday has ended in knee ligment surgery and the end of his season.
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