New Gig for Aidy

Former Hornets manager Aidy Boothroyd, without a squad since being let go from Coventry City in March, has landed a spot at League Two side Northampton Town. Aidy replaces Gary Johnson, who was sacked after the Cobblers' 4-4-11 start. The squad is winless since Oct. 1.

Watford 2-2 Bristol City 5-6-8 21 pts.

A muffed backpass cost Adrian Mariappa an own goal and Watford two points in the standings.

Carl Dickenson put the Hornets ahead with a strike out of nowhere in the 25th minute, lighting up a match that had been plodding along to that point. Craig Beattie's first goal as a Hornet came in the 42nd minute, a rebound from a Mark Yeates shot that left David James sprawling, to give Watford a two-goal lead.

It was almost immediately cut back to one as Marvin Elliott answered the goal two minutes later.

The Watford lead lasted only through the half when Mariappa's backpass hopped over Scott Loach's foot a scant minute into the half and Watford spent the rest of match defending the draw.

With 21 points, Watford sits just above the logjam of four squads struggling to avoid the last relegation spot.

The next match is Saturday, December 3 at Ipswich Town. Kickoff is 9:00 am St. Louis time.

Sordell Iffy For Tomorrow

Marvin Sordell's ankle injury has been labeled 'touch & go'. Don't expect him in the line-up tomorrow.

Doncaster Rovers nil-nil Watford 5-5-8 20 pts.

A spirited draw, marred only by the departure of Marvin Sordell 35 minutes into the match due to injury.

With Rene Gilmartin on loan to Yeovil Town and Jonathan Bond at Forest Green Rovers, the backup keeper role fell to academy keeper Jack Bonham. John Eustace was back in the line-up as Jonathan Hogg served his suspension for his fifth yellow.

Despite the point, Watford is only three places and 1 point clear of relegation.

The next match is Tuesday, November 29 at Vicarage Road against Bristol City. Kickoff is 1:45 pm St. Louis time.

Flake

I was all set to write about how, after two weeks of turmoil in the front office at Watford PLC or Watford Sport Enterprise or whatever they're calling themselves these days, Hornets owner Laurence Bassini was to attend a supporter Q&A sponsored by BBC Three Counties Radio.

Except he's not.

A quick check of the Watford Observer reported a cancellation due to health reasons. Again. To bring you up to speed:

Tuesday, Nov. 8 - Bassini blows off the scheduled fan forum due to illness. Graham Taylor 'apologizes' on his behalf, stating that while we have to believe his excuse, reliability is not Bassini's strong point and sometimes he 'acted on a whim'.

Wednesday, Nov. 9 - Bassini apologized and explained his absence

Thursday, Nov. 10 - Bassini tells the Watford Observer he would resign in the next 24 hours as Director because of GT's Tuesday night comment.

Friday, Nov. 11 - Bassini threatens to withhold £1 mil unless Taylor apologizes.

Tuesday, Nov. 15 - A six man Executive Committee is appointed to run the club - no Bassini, no Taylor.

Wednesday, Nov. 16 - The club's Annual Report is issued showing a £4 mil loss for the '10-'11 season.

Thursday, Nov. 17 - Bassini & Taylor issue a joint statement stating they have 'drawn a line' under their spat and are going forward in the best interest of the club.

Saturday, Nov. 19 - Watford Wins! 2-0 over Portsmouth (what? football?). Bassini attends and reportedly looks fine.

Monday, Nov. 21 - Watford Observer reports Q&A a go.

Tuesday, Nov. 22 - Bassini 'postpones' Q&A.

I'm not sure what credibility the man has left. This is no way to run a club.

Kightly Loan Extended Another Month

Michael Kightly, who scored the first goal of Saturday's match against Portsmouth, has had his loan to Watford extended until Jan. 3. The Wolverhampton Wanderers have reserved a 24-hour call-back provision in the loan however.

Watford 2-0 Portsmouth 5-4-8 19 pts.

A pair of goals by Michael Kightly and Marvin Sordell bracketed the first half and provided all the scoring for the match.

Kightly, in his last scheduled match on loan to the Hornets, plunked one in from just outside the penalty area 80 seconds into the match.

A corner from Mark Yeates set up Marvin Sordell's goal in the last minute of regulation of the first half and Watford held Pompey scoreless to nab three points at home in their third straight home win.

The next match is at Doncaster, Saturday November 26. Kickoff is 9:00 am St. Louis time.

Why I Love the BBC World Football Podcast

Despite the fact that it is produced by the BBC and despite being dedicated to football world-wide, the October 29 podcast/broadcast managed to cover both SLU-alumni defender Tim Ream AND wrestler Rufus R. Jones!

Middlesborough 1-0 Watford 4-4-8 16 pts.

A late start for TV in England and a late end to daylight savings time in the U.S. kept me from being able to listen to the Boro game. Click of the headline above for the Beeb's take.

Today is the first fan forum under Laurence Bassini. If I can swing it, I'll have a listen on Watford Player. Answering questions will be Bassini, Graham Taylor, & Sean Dyche.

Loan Moves

Keeper Jonathan Bond will join ex-Hornets Al Bangura and Eddie Oshodi at Forest Green Rangers for a month on loan while Gavin Massey's loan to Yeovil Town has been extended for an additional month.

Watford 1-0 Brighton & Hove Albion 4-4-7 16 pts.

Two in a row for Watford!

A great match for the Hornets, bereft of scoring for the first hour & a quarter, but Troy Deeney found his own rebound in front of the net in the 77th minute to nab Watford their second win in four days.

The three points lifts Watford clear of the relegation zone with Millwall's impending defeat of Conventry City.

The next match is at Middlesbrough Saturday, November 5. A late start and a difference in the end of Daylight Savings Time means kickoff will not start until 12:30 pm St. Louis time.