WATFORD v HUDDERSFIELD TOWN Vicarage Road Stadium Friday 7th April 2023 Kick Off:1500 BST please log in to view this image Watford play host to Huddersfield Town on Friday afternoon knowing that they realistically require three points to catapult themselves back into the race for the Championship play-offs, although many believe that chance has already gone. At a time when the Hornets sit six points adrift of the top six with seven matches remaining, Huddersfield can move outside the relegation zone for the first time in months with a win at Vicarage Road. On separate occasions under different managers this season, Watford have been regarded as one of the favourites for promotion, yet they head into their final seven matches as clear outsiders. With new boss Chris Wilder collecting just four points from as many matches, the Hornets are now down in 11th position and under pressure to produce a near-perfect run-in. Although Watford have lost just four times in 19 games at The Vic, there have been six draws, stalemates which have ultimately proven to be their downfall. Opponents Huddersfield make the long trip to Hertfordshire having put together their best form of the season, collecting seven points from three games. Neil Warnock has accumulated 11 points from his eight matches in charge of the Terriers, their last two contests ending in wins over promotion contenders Millwall and Middlesbrough. Huddersfield were trailing 1-0 at half-time to the latter before producing one of the most stunning revivals of the season, scoring four times in the first 19 minutes after the restart on their way to a 4-2 success. As a result of Reading's six-point penalty, Huddersfield now sit within touching distance of 20th place and higher, and maximum points being earned on Friday would move the club outside the relegation zone for the first time since August. Team News None available at the moment, but after the tongue lashing Wilder gave his players after the last game, changes might be expected. Our Officials David Webb is set to take charge of Friday’s fixture against relegation-threatened Huddersfield Town at Vicarage Road. The official has been in the middle for four previous Hornets games this season – and they have yet to win any. Friday is set to be the official’s 35th league and cup game of the season and he has so far shown a total of 100 yellow cards and seven reds. Jonathan Hunt and James Wilson are due to his assistant referees, with Ollie Yates the fourth official. .
If you are in the UK the game will be shown on the HIVE, but as it is due to be shown abroad it will not be available for International supporters in most countries.
I've already pretty much lost interested in the rest of the season. It doesn't even feel like the end of the Beppe Sannino season, where you could at least talk about trying to get some momentum and build a team to challenge next year. It feels to me like we'll get a new manager in the summer, lose our more valuable players, and almost have to start from scratch. In the meantime, it just feels a bit sad watching players who never quite delivered fully on the promise for us, knowing they'll probably go on to do well for someone else next year.
I think there was too much expectation at the start of the season, with the prospect of changes with a manager who was going to be given the chance to mould a team in his own ways. With all the pundits saying that with our attacking options we would terrify all the defenders that we came up against. None of this has happened, and we look like a number of players that are not a team. It is difficult to be positive, but we have been there before.
On the other hand, it could turn out like the first season under the Pozzos - a job lot of 15 new players which contained some gems and probably the most entertaining football since 1982. If the rest of this season was down to me - I'd be utilising the best of our youth players, sending back the loanees who haven't been living up to expectations, and recalling players out on loan who been performing well for their loan clubs. We've really got nothing to lose, and we'd have a better idea of who/what is needed for next season.
Team for the U21 game which takes place before the main game at 3:00pm. Gives us an idea of which youth players won't be in the 3:00pm squad. Ten minutes in and no goals yet.
There are a couple there who I'd like to have seen in today's squad. And a possible Peru international on the bench too...
Given the lineup, we're not going to score a lot of goals, so I hope the Terriers don't get an early goal - Warnock will ruin the whole game. I'm in a cheery mood, as per usual.
Hope this isn't an omen - losing 0-2 after 53 minutes. Conceded the two in four minutes at the start of the second half.
