Watford. Southampton. FA Cup action. Passes. Shots. A linesman waves his flag! A save. A block. Somebody should score but misses. A goal! A whistle. A chant about a library. A chant about a rival with nothing to do with this game. Someone eats a pie. Someone drinks a Bovril. A child cries. An adult swears. A Londoner in a flatcap acts hard. People wearing replica football shirts in their 50s. The woman in the seat two over is attractive. The man on your other side takes up half your space. Someone starts a "stand-up!" chant and all you want to do is curl up under a blanket. Half time. Too many people. The fight for a pee. The desperate dance of the bladder. You queue for a drink but never get one. The second half starts as you fight your way up to your seat. A goal! You had your back turned. Moment of the match. Wait! A flag. Disallowed. Grumbling around you. That kid is still crying. The attractive woman has not come back. The fat guy is almost entirely in your seat. Last night's hangover is kicking in. Passes. Passes. Passes. Almost a mistake at the back. Passes. Passes. Passes. Almost a goal! Someone near you is moaning about Bazunu. Passes. Passes. Passes. More Passes. A tackle! A player on the floor rolling around, peeking at the ref like a child playing hide and seek. Final whistle. Everyone goes home. Somebody or nobody won. My prediction: 0-1 Saints.
1-2 Saints. 2-0 up with 5 mins to go and coasting. Pissing around at the back, 1-2. All panic for the last 5mins plus 8 mins stoppage time.
FA Cup Sunday 28th January 2024 Watford FC v Southampton FC 14:00 KO. Referee: Michael Salisbury, Assistant Referees: Matthew Wilkes: Derek Eaton, Fourth Official: Will Finnie, Credit tomw24
I think that this will come down to which of us or Watford care more about promotion, in which case players will probably be rested. We're in with a (very good) shout of automatic promotion, Watford are on the edge of the playoffs. Which team will be able to keep up their league form, at the same time as they put out eleven players, some of which we may have heard of, whilst still claiming that the cup is very important? Anyway, we'll win, 2-0. I expect. Probably. With any luck.
I think as much as we will want to keep up the momentum, it's difficult to take the same intensity and mentality into a game that is't the focus. Can see us losing this one because of that. A draw would keep up the unbeaten run but at the expense of an extra unwanted midweek fixture.
Would rather win the FA Cup than get promoted, but unlike in 1976, it’s unlikely anyone at the club will share that preference. Would like to see a strong side out for a winnable fixture though. Stay in the competition, and we might get lucky with the draw.
Given we don't have a midweek match before or after this match, I would like to see a very strong side. Give the likes of Charly and Stephens starts but keep changes to a minimum.
A good opportunity to rest a few of our most important players. I'd like a mix of starters and squad players with Meghoma given another start at left back.
Far too many changes for me. I'd go: Baz KWP Stephens Bednarek Manning Rothwell Downes Alcaraz Adarma Che Fraser
Depends on whether we want to give a few players a rest. Downes Frazer and KWP are crucial players, the former 2 have played a lot of games. Your team certainly gives a better chance of progression in the cup, but with edozie out I really don’t want to risk Fraser.
Im sure Lumley will start I’d like Meghoma to start Reasonable for Charles and Che to start Wouldn’t mind if Holgate, Alcaraz or Mara started Although all together that’s probably too many changes
Pretty much sums up my recent memories of going to the game. Hope we win so I can see another installment
Lumley starting would be absolutely fabulous. Mega could be instrumental in a win. As for the others Che yes, the others may be a tad to many.
Che is a regular starter now, and with Arma playing RW, he is our only proven striker. All the rest of those youve mentioned should start though, assuming Holgate will be staying until the end of the season. Its important to use your squad depth and keep players sharp. If we arent willing to play youngesters like Meghoma and Mara they will never get a chance to show they are good enough.
