please log in to view this image WATFORD v PRESTON NORTH END please log in to view this image Vicarage Road Stadium Saturday 6th April 2024 Kick Off : 1500 BST please log in to view this image With Watford having only won one of 12 matches before he was placed in interim charge, some will feel that Cleverley has a free shot to impress until the end of the campaign. Nevertheless, credit is due on the back of five points being accumulated from three matches against Birmingham City, Leeds United and West Bromwich Albion. please log in to view this image The return should probably have been better, with the Hornets leading both of the contests against Leeds and the Baggies, yet Watford's efforts have all but ended any small concerns regarding a relegation scrap. Watford have still failed to win a Championship home fixture since November 28, a run stretching 10 games, so I am sure everyone at the club will wish to see the back of that statistic. please log in to view this image Meanwhile, Preston are under pressure to show that they have learned from the mistakes made during last season's run-in as they missed out on the play-offs. The form of Ryan Lowe's side will have done little to ease any concerns with the supporters, a result of defeats being recorded against Stoke City and Birmingham City respectively. In between, North End got the better of struggling Plymouth Argyle and Rotherham United, yet the loss at Birmingham has now left their playoff fate out of their hands. TEAM NEWS Giorgi [Chakvetadze] and Jack Grieves recovered from their illnesses that made them unavailable on Monday, and should be in contention for the squad on Saturday. Our Officials JAMES BELL please log in to view this image The referee has officiated in a total of 23 league and cup matches in the current campaign, issuing a total of 99 yellow cards and five reds. Ian Cooper and Matthew Smith are due to be the assistant referees , with David Rock on fourth official duties.
Looking forward to joining hackney for this one...and really am expecting/hoipiung for us to get the points after the upturn in performances
Am taking the grandson - first game at Vicarage road. He's had to endure some grim results at Leeds, 'udddersfield, Burnley in his young WFC career. But he has got Kamara's shirt in his first WFC appearance - MoM at Turf Moor.
For nearly the first time this season I am a little excited and looking forward to Saturday afternoon. It's because of the change with TC at the helm. It has been great to see us attacking at speed with defenders sprinting back behind our forwards. I know I have only seen it on the extended highlights but even so, what a welcome change.
Hopefully not a false dawn with players just trying to impress the new boss versus sides they were expected to lose against so not much pressure .
After our 5-1 victory at their place, no doubt the many naysayers on social media will loudly proclaim anything less than that to be a failure - and call for his head on a platter...
Let’s hope the team play with that same positive attitude. Or if we lose a couple it will be Cleverley out ! This guy knew a thing about scoring goals .
With a couple of neutrals tomorrow, an Arsenal pal and his young teenage lad... they enjoy ground hopping from their Sussex base when Dad isn't off to the Emirates. He came up to the Blackpool game with me last season, so he's at the home game against their nearest and dearest this weekend. Looking forward to it: it will be the kid's first visit to Watford, hope it's a good one.
I've got the central heating on just to make that it is. It's been bloody freezing up here - snow forecast for the weekend.
Nearly the strongest line-ups we have - but I'd rather see Morris at LB than Lewis who hasn't really been playing well recently.
Don't worry - Bayo, your scourge in the reverse fixture, will be subbed off around the 70 minute mark - to be replaced by our top scorer Rajovic...
