WATFORD V PORTSMOUTH NPower Championship, 19 November 2011, at Vicarage Road Link to BBC Sport Prieview: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/15704813.stm Last season: 1 January 2011 Watford 3-0 Pompey Who are Ya? (some of this information is courtesy of wikipedia) Founded in 1881, Watford joined the Football League at the start of the 1920-21 season (along with, amongst others, Pompey), as founder members of the new Third Division South. Finishing in the bottom half inn 1958 meant that they were also founder members of the Fourth Division [League Two]. Promotion in 1960 gave them their first taste of football above the bottom division. Nine years later they went up again, but spent just three seasons in the 2nd tier before spiraling back down to the Fourth Division again. However, by the end of the 1970s they were on the up again and finally gained promotion to the top tier in 1982. It was under the management of Graham Taylor [in his first spell, 1977-87] that The Hornets enjoyed their best years; rising from the Fourth to the First Division. They were runners up in their first season in the top flight, bringing UEFA Cup [Euopa League] football to Vicarage Road in the 1983-84 season, a season in which they also reached the FA Cup final. Since gaining promotion from the Third Division [League One] in 1979, they have been ever-present in the top two tiers, last appearing in the Premier League in 2007. Highest League Finish: 2nd in First Division [Premier League] 1983 Lowest League Finish: 15th in Fourth Division [League Two] 1959 (23rd in Division Three South 1951) Honours: 1st Tier [Premier League] Runners Up 1983 2nd Tier [Championship] Runners Up 1982 3rd Tier [League One] Champions 1969,1998; Runners Up 1979 4th Tier [League Two] Champions 1978 FA Cup Runners Up 1984 Yesteryear 25 December 1920 (Division Three South) Watford 3-2 Portsmouth The first Football League fixture between the sides in Third Division South’s inaugural season; both sides having both joined from the Southern League. Parity was achieved at Fratton Park two days later when Pompey won the return fixture 1-0. Watford League finish: 5 years ago (2006-07): 20th in Premier League (Relegated) 10 years ago (2001-02): 14th in Div 1 [Championship] 15 years ago (1996-97): 13th in Div 2 [League One] 20 years ago (1991-92): 10th in Second Division [Championship] 25 years ago (1986-87): 9th in First Division [Premier League] Random Fact: Watford were the last side to play a League Fixture against Southport, on 29 April 1978, winning 3-2. Although Southport finished 23rd, seven points ahead of bottom club Rochdale, they failed to get re-elected to the league and their place was taken the following season by Wigan Athletic. Current odds (Friday Lunch Time) from SkyBet Watford: 7/5 Pompey: 19/10 Draw: 23/10
A game which we should have a good chance of taking the 3 points. 'Should' being our watchword so far this season. The other concern to me- it's location. For some reason, the Vicarage is not a happy hunting ground for Pompey. I'm going to go for a win though as the boys will be out to impress their new boss and Watford are struggling....oh, and a certain Carl Dickinson 1-2
Hello guys looking fwd to tomorrow , Just want to say your support is superb ,to go through all the **** that you guys have and still sell out your ticket allocation plus more is an incredible show of faith and loyalty ,proof of proper fans and not just plastics and gloryhunters! apart from your games with us all the best for the rest of the season!
fwd Naaa what you want is rear wheel drive. Sorry car/bike related jokes tend to be unfunny. If ref to the game, I'm buzzin for this one, first trip to Vicarage road for me. Hopefully I get to see us pick up 3 points. Thanks for the praise on our fans. Expect to hear the roof blown of the Vicarage road stand blown off by us
