please log in to view this image WATFORD v TRANMERE ROVERS please log in to view this image Vicarage Road Stadium Date: Saturday 4th January 2020 Kick Off: 1501 GMT please log in to view this image FA CUP Third Round A few weeks ago this fixture might’ve looked like a real worry for Watford as they sit bottom of the Premier League with just one win all season but the appointment of Nigel Pearson has reinvigorated their season with the Hertfordshire side winning three of the last four games and scoring eight goals in that time. Whilst they remain in the relegation zone they are in a much healthier position and will be keen to add a cup win to their recent form. Watford were averaging 0.5 goals per game before Pearson joined the club, showing just how far they’ve come in a short space of time and they’ve also been able to improve defensively, conceding just two goals in their past four, compared to the 30 in 17 prior to their good run of form. They will be much more confident of avoiding the embarrassment of a cup defeat to a team in League One and will be confident of ending the weekend in the pot for the fourth round. xxxxxxxxxx Tranmere haven’t enjoyed a successful season so far, winning just five games this season and struggling to get out of the League One relegation zone in recent weeks. They’ve picked up just one win in their last eight games and haven’t been able to win consecutive games at all this season. They’ve scored a decent amount, 1.17 goals per game on average, but have really struggling in defence, conceding 43 goals which translates to just under 2 goals a game. The FA Cup hasn’t been too kind to Tranmere recently with the club losing 7-0 to Tottenham in the fourth round last season. They needed a replay to beat Southport in the third round and haven’t had much success in the years preceding that game either. A cup run, whilst being welcome financially, means the club run the risk of losing sight of their relegation plight and there are many reasons that the side would be better off on the losing end of the game this weekend. Team News: please log in to view this image Craig Shakespeare insists Watford will be competitive in the FA Cup and aim to put together another run in the competition. "We'll do the same analysis as we've done against all the previous teams since we've been here," said Shakespeare about Watford's preparation. "We make sure that they're focused and that they know as players that we're not taking them lightly and then it's up to us to prepare them which we'll do again tomorrow. We'll go through the same preparation as we've done in the previous games and they will be ready." We know that some of the fringe players will get some game time, but as yet no information about who will be given the chance to shine. ENJOY THE GAME WHEREVER YOU ARE IN THE WORLD
Just in case you think I have made a mistake with the kick off time, I haven't. The Football Association has announced that all Emirates FA Cup third round ties will be delayed by one minute to encourage fans to ‘Take A Minute’ to think about looking after their mental health, as part of the Heads Up campaign. It is hoped that the initiative will raise awareness of the importance of looking after our mental health, with 60 seconds representing just the first step in the journey to improved wellbeing. During the minute delay, fans will be encouraged to consider the positive impact 60 seconds can have on their own wellbeing or in supporting a friend or family member.
Hope so, Mark. Seb, Matej, Mrs Andy and I are going. Cost us a grand total of thirty-four quid, the robbing bastards!
Hopefully a few goals then! 2,700 coming from Merseyside and think the recent form will boost the gate.
Hopefully Tranmere won’t be as good as I thought Cov were. Helped not in the least by young Mason. What a terrific player he is. I always liked him and was very sorry to see him go. He is of far higher calibre than Cov, and they’re not rubbish.
Yes that is true - few of our youngsters have gone onto have a decent pro career. Tranmere are struggling in their league but the cup might be a light relief for them and guess they will have nothing to lose.
I don’t suppose they’d rest anyone, would they? I’m not sure at that level what’s the toss up is between threat of relegation and benefits of FA Cup run.
What is more important relegation battle or the FA Cup? Pearson has to rest key players, I don't want to see Foster, Capoue, Sarr or even Deeney playing. I want an FA Cup run, but needs must in this case.
Enjoy the game all, I cannot be with you as a group of friends are having our annual Christmas boardgaming day - it used to be the annual Christmas Diplomacy day but in the absence of diplomacy during the game we just play other games instead. I will keep an eye on whats going on though.
We don't have a "weaker" defence to choose from for sure, but from midfield to the front we have rotation options. And new blood!
I see that where a club from the PL is playing at home, then VAR will be used. All other games will not have it. All in the same competition, so surely it should not be used anywhere.
Be interested to see if any results will be changed as a result.. You would think that clubs that suffer as a result would have a case...
Our referee today is Graham Scott who seems a bit card happy. In the 15 game he has been in charge of he has handed out 51 yellow and 3 red cards. please log in to view this image Assistants: Neil Davies, Lee Venamor Fourth official: Will Finnie VAR: Andrew Madley Assistant VAR: Daniel Robathan
