It was 'Wear a Vest for Danny' day in what may be Danny Graham's final home fixture in a Watford kit, but the man of the match was not current Watford star Graham, but former Hornet Tommy Smith.
It look like an old-timer's game with Smith, Heidar Helguson, & Danny Shittu lined up for QPR, but the Hornets current squad held their own against league leaders (and now, league champs) QPR for 77 minutes. The champs showed why they were so, first with an Adel Taarabt goal (Smith assist) then with Tommy scoring a goal of his own two minutes into added time.
The win nets Neil Warnock his seventh promotion as a manager. Elsewhere in the league, Sheffield United and Scunthorpe were relegated. That means both teams relegated from the Premier League with Watford at the end of the 2006-07 season are now in League One.
The final match of the season is next Sunday, May 8 at Preston North End at the groaningly early hour of 6:45 am St. Louis time. I guess if people can get up that early for the Royal Wedding, I can make it up for the finale.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
From the Rookery End Podcast 11 Available
A god-awful version of "Single Ladies", interview with Sean Dyche, and another edpisode of "I'm a Stupid Football Manager - Get Me Out of Here!".
Monday, April 25, 2011
Leicester City 4-2 Watford 16-13-15 61 pts.
From three points to one point to no points, Watford's season ebbed away at Walkers stadium while the Foxes remained (barely) alive.
The match marked Lloyd Doyley's 300th appearance as well as Piero Mingoia's second start in a row.
Marvin Sordell, after coming on in the 16th minute for an injured Andreas Weimann, found his first goal since January in minute 28. Unfortunately, it was answered ten minutes later with a 40 yard boot from Jeffery Bruma.
Undaunted, Sordell replied two minutes later from inside the penalty area to carry a 2-1 lead into the half.
With a draw helping neither club, and Sven-Goran Eriksson smelling weakness in Scott Loach, Leicester began bombing away at the Watford goal.
The payoff came at the hour mark with Ayegbeni Yakubu tying the match. Bruma got his second at minute 73 and Yakubu made it 4-2 two minutes later.
Watford's last match at Vicarage Road this season is this Saturday, April 30, against QPR who secured a place in the Premiership today with a draw against Hull City. Kickoff is 9:00 am St. Louis time.
The match marked Lloyd Doyley's 300th appearance as well as Piero Mingoia's second start in a row.
Marvin Sordell, after coming on in the 16th minute for an injured Andreas Weimann, found his first goal since January in minute 28. Unfortunately, it was answered ten minutes later with a 40 yard boot from Jeffery Bruma.
Undaunted, Sordell replied two minutes later from inside the penalty area to carry a 2-1 lead into the half.
With a draw helping neither club, and Sven-Goran Eriksson smelling weakness in Scott Loach, Leicester began bombing away at the Watford goal.
The payoff came at the hour mark with Ayegbeni Yakubu tying the match. Bruma got his second at minute 73 and Yakubu made it 4-2 two minutes later.
Watford's last match at Vicarage Road this season is this Saturday, April 30, against QPR who secured a place in the Premiership today with a draw against Hull City. Kickoff is 9:00 am St. Louis time.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Watford 1-0 Barnsley 16-13-14 61 pts.
In a rare reversal of roles, it was Watford that scored before the asses were in their seats today.
A feed from Don Cowie lead to a Troy Deeney shot that dropped off the crossbar. An alert Jon Eustace chested it in and a stunned Barnsley spent the next 89:30 playing catch-up.
The Tykes pressed in the first half, but terrific play by the Watford back four held the score 1-0 to the half.
No excitement until the end from either side and the Hornets walked away with three points, still five away from the playoff zone. Though not technically eliminated yet with three matches left, five teams stand between them and the playoffs.
One match is against table leader QPR, one against drop zone residents Preston North End and the next of these is Leicester City, hosts of Easter Monday's match. Kickoff is 9:00 am St. Louis time.
A feed from Don Cowie lead to a Troy Deeney shot that dropped off the crossbar. An alert Jon Eustace chested it in and a stunned Barnsley spent the next 89:30 playing catch-up.
The Tykes pressed in the first half, but terrific play by the Watford back four held the score 1-0 to the half.
No excitement until the end from either side and the Hornets walked away with three points, still five away from the playoff zone. Though not technically eliminated yet with three matches left, five teams stand between them and the playoffs.
One match is against table leader QPR, one against drop zone residents Preston North End and the next of these is Leicester City, hosts of Easter Monday's match. Kickoff is 9:00 am St. Louis time.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Leeds United 2-2 Watford 15-13-14 58 pts.
If not a 'must win', at least a 'damn well better win if you're serious about getting in the playoffs' game for both squads.
The first half was fairly uneventful with the exception of Ross Jenkins leaving the pitch due to injury.
Both gaffers apparently reminded their players that three points were needed with seven teams fighting for the last playoff spot. To add to the suspense, the BBC lost the signal for the first five minutes or so of the second half.
The sparks began to fly when Luciano Becchio headed in a goal in minute 72. Lee Hodson of all people equalized six minutes later to quiet the crowd.
Then with four minutes of regulation time left, Andreas Weimann tapped in a selfless Danny Graham dribbler for what looked to be the nail in Leeds' coffin.
But no.
With Graham down with an injury, a Barry Bannon corner a scant minute later ended in a Troy Deeney own goal and both squads walked away disappointed.
Watford has failed to beat the teams ahead of them in this home stretch. Maybe they'll have better luck with Barnsley next Saturday, April 23 at Vicarage Road. Kickoff is 9:00 an St. Louis time.
The first half was fairly uneventful with the exception of Ross Jenkins leaving the pitch due to injury.
Both gaffers apparently reminded their players that three points were needed with seven teams fighting for the last playoff spot. To add to the suspense, the BBC lost the signal for the first five minutes or so of the second half.
The sparks began to fly when Luciano Becchio headed in a goal in minute 72. Lee Hodson of all people equalized six minutes later to quiet the crowd.
Then with four minutes of regulation time left, Andreas Weimann tapped in a selfless Danny Graham dribbler for what looked to be the nail in Leeds' coffin.
But no.
With Graham down with an injury, a Barry Bannon corner a scant minute later ended in a Troy Deeney own goal and both squads walked away disappointed.
Watford has failed to beat the teams ahead of them in this home stretch. Maybe they'll have better luck with Barnsley next Saturday, April 23 at Vicarage Road. Kickoff is 9:00 an St. Louis time.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Watford 2-2 Norwich City 2 15-12-14 57 pts.
The day started to look like a replay of Hull City when Sam Vokes scored 90 seconds into the match, but this time Watford fought back.
Danny Graham dribbled a shot over the goal, but over it went to level the score in the 26th minute. Graham then had his pick of targets ten minutes later when the Norwich defense let their guard down. He picked Don Cowie who rifled a shot into the underside of the crossbar to put the Hornets ahead.
Paul Lambert's side showed why they're in the hunt for automatic promotion - relentlessly battering Watford's defense until Simeon Jackson finally gained the equalizer in minute 69.
The onslaught continued as the Canaries fought for three points, but the Hornets held at home to earn a point.
The next match is Saturday, April 16 at Elland Road as Leeds United hosts the Hornets. Kickoff is 9:00 am St. Louis time.
Danny Graham dribbled a shot over the goal, but over it went to level the score in the 26th minute. Graham then had his pick of targets ten minutes later when the Norwich defense let their guard down. He picked Don Cowie who rifled a shot into the underside of the crossbar to put the Hornets ahead.
Paul Lambert's side showed why they're in the hunt for automatic promotion - relentlessly battering Watford's defense until Simeon Jackson finally gained the equalizer in minute 69.
The onslaught continued as the Canaries fought for three points, but the Hornets held at home to earn a point.
The next match is Saturday, April 16 at Elland Road as Leeds United hosts the Hornets. Kickoff is 9:00 am St. Louis time.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Watford 1-2 Hull City 15-11-14 56 pts.
Well, I won't be blocking off the play-off dates on the family calender this year.
Watford dropped a quick goal to Hull City and took the entire first half off before they showed any spark of life. A few chances from Danny Graham threatened an equalizer, but the Tigers were fighting for a play-off spot too and simply out-played and out-lasted Watford, slamming the door shut with a second goal in the closing minutes.
Martin Taylor headed in a face-saver (Cowie asst) a minute and a half into added time, but literally too little, too late.
Technically, the Hornets can qualify for a play-off spot still (hell, they can still place second but don't hold your breath). Odds are long though and draws won't get them there.
The next fixture is a toughie against second place Norwich City at Vicarage Road. Kick off is 1:45 pm St. Louis time, Tuesday April 12.
Watford dropped a quick goal to Hull City and took the entire first half off before they showed any spark of life. A few chances from Danny Graham threatened an equalizer, but the Tigers were fighting for a play-off spot too and simply out-played and out-lasted Watford, slamming the door shut with a second goal in the closing minutes.
Martin Taylor headed in a face-saver (Cowie asst) a minute and a half into added time, but literally too little, too late.
Technically, the Hornets can qualify for a play-off spot still (hell, they can still place second but don't hold your breath). Odds are long though and draws won't get them there.
The next fixture is a toughie against second place Norwich City at Vicarage Road. Kick off is 1:45 pm St. Louis time, Tuesday April 12.
Friday, April 08, 2011
Mackay Wins Manager of the Month
Watford's rebound in the month of March netted Malky the title of Championship Manager of the Month from the Football League. Justly so. Congrats Malky!
Tuesday, April 05, 2011
Hornets (and exes) in the April FourFourTwo
The lastest issue of FourFourTwo features opinions from ex-captain Jay DeMerit and the Top 10 Championship players gives a nod to goal machine Danny Graham. The glaring ommission? Malky not in the Top 5 managers! (and Colin Wanker is - the horror!).
Monday, April 04, 2011
Coventry City 2-0 Watford 15-11-13 56 pts.
Still only 4 pts. shy of the playoff zone.
I missed this one (family stuff). See the BBC summary above.
Next match is April 9 vs Hull City at Vicarage Road. Kickoff is 9:00 am St. Louis time.
I missed this one (family stuff). See the BBC summary above.
Next match is April 9 vs Hull City at Vicarage Road. Kickoff is 9:00 am St. Louis time.
Friday, April 01, 2011
Done & Done
All of the conditions of the sale have been met or waived. The sale of the club is complete.
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