Month: October 2008

25th October 2008- Championship, Watford 2 Wolverhampton Wanderers 3

Michael Gray’s winner settled an enthralling clash at Watford and maintained Wolves’ promotion push.

Not for the first time since August, it’s tempting to look at the stark contrasts between this season and last. Expectations dramatically lower, certainly. Sixth from bottom after this game, as opposed to sixth from top in May. By and large, playing our better stuff – and certainly picking up more points – at home; our away record was a proud thing last season, but merely loitered in the back of the mind of those who didn’t get to many away games.

21st October 2008- Championship, Watford 2 Cardiff City 2

Jay Bothroyd tripled his goal tally for the season to rescue a point for Cardiff away to 10-man Watford.

The Hornets stormed into a two goal lead thanks to efforts from John-Joe O’Toole and Will Hoskins, before Tamas Priskin was sent off for violent conduct.

Let’s get it out of the way, then: Tamas, you’re a blithering idiot. Just at the point where you’d started to think that, with Will Hoskins guiding the midfield into the opposition’s vulnerable areas quite brilliantly, we could really do some damage on the break as Cardiff pressed forward. Just at the point where you’ve scored a couple of goals and given your Watford career some desperately-needed momentum. Just at the point where your rival is returning from injury. You have blancmange for brains, sir.

18th October 2008- Championship, Southampton 0 Watford 3

Watford goalkeeper Richard Lee saved two penalties to ensure his side were comfortable winners at Southampton. Lee brought down David McGoldrick but made amends by saving the spot-kick and Tamas Priskin compounded the miss by stabbing the opener for Watford. Saints won their second penalty when Adrian Mariappa fouled Ryan Smith but Paul Wotton was also denied by Lee.

Jon Harley put in a deep cross from the left which was met by Mathew Sadler who laid the ball into the path of Priskin and he stabbed the ball home from inside the penalty area.

Form and a glance at the teamsheet suggested that a painfully young Southampton side might cause us a few problems going forward, but a back four with an average age of nineteen was there to be pressured and bullied.

The 100 Greatest Watford Wins- No.87: It was somehow fitting that this bizarre match at the St Mary’s Stadium turned out to be the last Watford victory Aidy Boothroyd presided over. Of all Boothroyd’s ugly but glorious triumphs, this was one of the most eventful. Richard Lee saved two penalties, the first in the second minute, and the Hornets managed to put the game beyond doubt before half-time.

4th October 2008- Championship, Watford 2 Preston North End 1

Watford came back from a goal down to earn a win over Preston thanks to Tommy Smith’s 50th goal for the club.

A quite ridiculously open game of football that looked like delivering many more goals at each end. Due in no small part to our formation – going 4-4-2 without John Eustace in midfield was always going to be a high risk strategy. We had enough to make it pay off; all six of our “attacking” players had good afternoons.