On a day when our star striker departs, two step up to take his place and the new boy, Alex Kacaniklic, makes an immediate and impressive impact in his debut first team appearance.
It was the Hornet's game from the start, but stayed scoreless until the 35th minute when Troy Deeney found the lower right corner of the net (Kacaniklic asst.).
The Swedish winger got his second assist when his shot off a snappy feed from Lloyd Doyley was blocked and Joe Garner followed on from 4 yards out at the hour mark.
The Lions' best chance came at the end of regulation time when a penalty by Scott Loach left him needing to block a penalty kick from former Hornet Darius Henderson. Success on that front and three minutes of added time meant a clean sheet for Loach.
A late goal from Blackpool against Coventry City leaves Watford 9 points clear of the drop zone if that result holds.
The next match is Saturday, February 4 at Vicarage Road against Barnsley. Kickoff is 9:00 am St. Louis time.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Transfer Rumors
Watford is up 1-0 at the New Den at the half, but the bigger news is who's in the line-up and who's not on this last day of the January transfer window.
Adrian Mariappa, subject of interest from Wigan Athletic, started today after reportedly turning down the latest offer. Marvin Sordell, however, was not in the line-up, apparently at the request of owner Laurence Bassini. The rumored reason is a £3 mil offer from Cardiff City for the academy-produced striker. Stay tuned.
Adrian Mariappa, subject of interest from Wigan Athletic, started today after reportedly turning down the latest offer. Marvin Sordell, however, was not in the line-up, apparently at the request of owner Laurence Bassini. The rumored reason is a £3 mil offer from Cardiff City for the academy-produced striker. Stay tuned.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Roster Moves
Defender Dale Bennett, on loan to Brentford, has returned to the fold and Swedish winger Alex Kacaniklic has joined the Hornets on loan from Fulham.
The 20-year old has seen no first-team experience and the southwest London squad has loaned him out for the remainder of the season to get some with Watford. Kacaniklic should be available for tomorrow's trip to Millwall.
The 20-year old has seen no first-team experience and the southwest London squad has loaned him out for the remainder of the season to get some with Watford. Kacaniklic should be available for tomorrow's trip to Millwall.
Friday, January 27, 2012
FA Cup: Watford 0-1 Tottenham Hotspur
As young as you know this club is on paper, seeing them up against Tottenham they looked like boys versus men.
This was my first look at the squad on TV in probably two years. Tottenham came to play. Sure, Gareth Bale is out with a thigh injury and Brad Friedel rode the pine for this match, but the Hornet squad was tasked with facing down Rafael van der Vaart, Luka Modric, Jermain Defoe, and Emmanuel Adebayor (with Aaron Lennon as a sub for good measure).
All said, they did a respectable job of it. Possession favored them in the first half but Scott Loach reacted slow to a 25-yard shot from van der Vaart in the last minutes of the first half and Watford found themselves down at the half.
Momentum was slow to build in the second half with the Spurs dominating possession, but Watford recovered with two excellent chances, the first a Joe Garner shot that hit the post, the second a flurry and a terrific save by Carlo Cudicini.
All in all, the Hornets had 12 shots on goal to Tottenham's 4 but none fell and the Spurs advance to Round 5.
The next match is league action Tuesday, January 31 at Millwall. Kickoff is 1:45 St. Louis time (THAT revolution will NOT be televised).
This was my first look at the squad on TV in probably two years. Tottenham came to play. Sure, Gareth Bale is out with a thigh injury and Brad Friedel rode the pine for this match, but the Hornet squad was tasked with facing down Rafael van der Vaart, Luka Modric, Jermain Defoe, and Emmanuel Adebayor (with Aaron Lennon as a sub for good measure).
All said, they did a respectable job of it. Possession favored them in the first half but Scott Loach reacted slow to a 25-yard shot from van der Vaart in the last minutes of the first half and Watford found themselves down at the half.
Momentum was slow to build in the second half with the Spurs dominating possession, but Watford recovered with two excellent chances, the first a Joe Garner shot that hit the post, the second a flurry and a terrific save by Carlo Cudicini.
All in all, the Hornets had 12 shots on goal to Tottenham's 4 but none fell and the Spurs advance to Round 5.
The next match is league action Tuesday, January 31 at Millwall. Kickoff is 1:45 St. Louis time (THAT revolution will NOT be televised).
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Tottenham Tie on Fox Soccer Plus
Tomorrow's Round 4 FA Cup tie will be televised on Fox Soccer Plus (Everton v Fulham with be on Fox Soccer). I'm planning on visiting Barrister's for the match (with cameos from Mr. Mojo & Andrew). The Amsterdam has confirmed they will be showing the match as well.
Kickoff is 1:45 pm St. Louis time.
Kickoff is 1:45 pm St. Louis time.
GO 'Orns!!
Monday, January 23, 2012
Birmingham City 3-0 Watford 7-9-11 30 pts.
Watford faced their second loss in a row Saturday and tread water in the lower-mid table after a 3-0 loss at Birmingham. Curtis Davis headed in a pair and Chris Burke caught a rebound to seal the deal for the Blues.
The loss leaves the Hornets in 18th place, just 6 points clear of relegation.
The squad takes a break from league play as they host Tottenham Hotspur in Round 4 Proper of the FA Cup Friday. Tottenham currently sit 3rd in the Premier League standings, but it remains to be seen what squad they will bring to the tie as they face Wigan in league play next Tuesday. Kickoff is 1:45 pm St. Louis time.
The loss leaves the Hornets in 18th place, just 6 points clear of relegation.
The squad takes a break from league play as they host Tottenham Hotspur in Round 4 Proper of the FA Cup Friday. Tottenham currently sit 3rd in the Premier League standings, but it remains to be seen what squad they will bring to the tie as they face Wigan in league play next Tuesday. Kickoff is 1:45 pm St. Louis time.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Loan Moves
Gavin Massey, on loan to Yeovil Town earlier this season, has been lent to Colchester for a month to get a bit more playing time.
On the other hand, keeper Rene Gilmartin is back from his loan spell at Yeovil Town.
On the other hand, keeper Rene Gilmartin is back from his loan spell at Yeovil Town.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Bassini Q&A
The new owner answers questions submitted to him by the fans.
Not a whole lot of detail here. The focus seems to be on the stadium rather than the club, but he's making all the right noises.
Not a whole lot of detail here. The focus seems to be on the stadium rather than the club, but he's making all the right noises.
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Watford 1-2 Reading
An ugly loss and lackluster play from Watford leaves them with zero points at home for their troubles in today's late-starting match.
Despite a sluggish start, the Hornets found themselves up a goal after a Troy Deeney cross was muffed by defender Shaun Cumming and ended up as an own goal in the 29th minute. That goal seemed to knock the wind out of Reading, but still they managed to equalize three minutes from the half off a Jimmy Kebe header.
Watford played better, but still not well, in the second half, managing to hold on to the point until late sub Adam Le Fondre took advantage of confusion between Carl Dickinson & Scott Loach and found himself undefended, scoring the go-ahead in the 86th minute.
The next match is at Birmingham next Saturday, January 21. Back to a regular start time of 9:00 am St. Louis time.
Despite a sluggish start, the Hornets found themselves up a goal after a Troy Deeney cross was muffed by defender Shaun Cumming and ended up as an own goal in the 29th minute. That goal seemed to knock the wind out of Reading, but still they managed to equalize three minutes from the half off a Jimmy Kebe header.
Watford played better, but still not well, in the second half, managing to hold on to the point until late sub Adam Le Fondre took advantage of confusion between Carl Dickinson & Scott Loach and found himself undefended, scoring the go-ahead in the 86th minute.
The next match is at Birmingham next Saturday, January 21. Back to a regular start time of 9:00 am St. Louis time.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
FA Cup Round 3: Watford 4-2 Bradford City
A pair of goals from Craig Forsyth and one each from Troy Deeney and Marvin Sordell propelled the Hornets past Bradford City and into the 4th round proper of the FA Cup where they will host Harry Redknapp's Tottenham Hotspur.
The Spurs, currently in third place in the Premier League, will travel to Vicarage Road Saturday, January 28. Kickoff is 9:00 am St. Louis time. No word yet on whether this will be televised.
The next fixture on the Watford calendar is televised, at least in the U.K., at Reading this coming Saturday, January 14. The TV schedule means the kickoff is pushed back to 11:20 am St. Louis time. If I can find a web feed, I'll post it here.
The Spurs, currently in third place in the Premier League, will travel to Vicarage Road Saturday, January 28. Kickoff is 9:00 am St. Louis time. No word yet on whether this will be televised.
The next fixture on the Watford calendar is televised, at least in the U.K., at Reading this coming Saturday, January 14. The TV schedule means the kickoff is pushed back to 11:20 am St. Louis time. If I can find a web feed, I'll post it here.
Friday, January 06, 2012
Catching Up
As happens about every five years, I was off in Hawai'i for my wedding anniversary and missed a few matches (one started at 2:00 am Hilo time). To get up-to-date we have:
Boxing Day
Watford 1-1 Cardiff City
New Year's Eve
Watford 4-1 Doncaster Rovers
January 2nd
Portsmouth 2-0 Watford
The Hornets record is 7-9-9 for 30 points, in 18th place and 6 points clear of relegation.
The next match is tomorrow, the first of the FA Cup ties for this campaign, at home against League Two side Bradford City. Kickoff is at 9:00 am St. Louis time.
Boxing Day
Watford 1-1 Cardiff City
New Year's Eve
Watford 4-1 Doncaster Rovers
January 2nd
Portsmouth 2-0 Watford
The Hornets record is 7-9-9 for 30 points, in 18th place and 6 points clear of relegation.
The next match is tomorrow, the first of the FA Cup ties for this campaign, at home against League Two side Bradford City. Kickoff is at 9:00 am St. Louis time.
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