The Match Thread ESPN have a thread here and the BBC here WATFORD 2 v 1 BARNSLEY Jimmy McNulty -caution 19 mÃn. John Eustace - goal 33 mÃn. 1:0 Michael Tonge - caution 40 mÃn. Stephen Foster - caution 49 mÃn. Jonathan Hogg - caution 67 mÃn. John Eustace - goal 68 mÃn. 2:0 Scott Goldbourne - goal 85 mÃn. 2:1 Attendance: 11.306 (522 visitors) After another successful trip to the New Den he Hornets welcome the Tykes for the first game in both clubs new eras, Watford without Marvin Sordell and Barnsley Ricardo Vaz Te. Strange how these things occur, recent visitors to Vicarage Road have been Bradford City and Doncaster Rovers now the club host another of Yorkshires fine teams. WATFORD • The Manager – Sean Dyche please log in to view this image “I can't tell you just how proud I am of these players to a man this evening. Every Watford fan should be very proud tonight - very, very proud.” “We literally had to change the team at two hours' notice, given the situation with Marvin Sordell. And they were amazing. As our supporters will know, I'm not normally one for highlighting individuals above a team performance and I'm not doing that in particularly today, b ut I feel Adrian Mariappa deserves a special mention from me because he showed what an immaculate professional he is this evening. That young man has had a hell of a lot going on in his head today - and none of it of his own making, let me make it clear." • The Hornets Martin Taylor and Stephen McGinn are still injured and no one is suspended. please log in to view this image The new boy: Alexander Kačaniklić Todays team Scott Loach Lee Hodson, Adrian Mariappa, Nyron Nosworthy, Lloyd Doyley Sean Murray, John Eustace (c) - goal 33 mÃn., Jonathan Hogg - caution 67 mÃn., Prince Buaben for Alexander Kacaniklic - 68 mÃn. Troy Deeney, Joe Garner Substitutes: Jonathan Bond (GK), Mark Yeates, Chris Iwelumo , Carl Dickinson, Prince Buaben Update on the Hornet's latest statistics BARNSLEY • The Manager – Keith Hill please log in to view this image "I'm pleased with the new signings who need a bit more match fitness. We've got to play them to give them that. It should have been game over. But we managed the second half and they didn't create too many opportunities.” • The Tykes Jim O’Brien and Jay McEveley are both recovering but are not ready to return to the team just yet. Jacob Butterfield is still suffering a ligament injury and Stephen Dawson is also unlikely to play. New signing Scott Golbourne may also be included. Even without Ricardo Vaz Te Barnsley will line up with Andy Gray and Craig Davies who have scored 16 goals between them. please log in to view this image The new top scorer: Craig Davies in his old Chesterfield outfit Todays team Luke Steele Rob Edwards(c), Stephen Foster - caution 49 mÃn., Nathan Doyle for Jimmy McNulty -caution 19 mÃn. - 67 mÃn., Scott Wiseman Chris Dagnall for Matty Done - 46 mÃn., David Perkins, Korey Smith, Scott Goldbourne for Michael Tonge - caution 40 mÃn. - 57 mÃn. - goal 85 mÃn. Andy Gray, Craig Davies Substitutes: David Preece (gk), Bobby Hassell, Nathan Doyle, Chris Dagnall, Scott Goldbourne Update on the Tykes’ latest statistics Who will win? Current form The visitors first. Barnsley are winning and losing alternate matches in the league so three wins and three defeats in the last six games; including a 3:1 defeat at Millwall, which will count for nothing. The high point wasa 4:1 victory over Yorkshire rivals Leeds United. The hosts have been enjoying a two match unbeaten run. A good performance in the FA Cup and then a win on their travels against Millwall, for thefirst double of theseason. This little success followsa very bad three defeat start to this year. Akureyri's Prediction: 3-0 Watford will be eager to prove they were not a one man goal scoring team as much as Barnsley will wish to do the same. I think having done well against Tottenham Hatspur and Millwall and also having the advantage of home Watford will prove too much for their visitors. There is a history The last match: Barnsley – Watford 1:1 A match in which Barnsley were the better team the visitors Watford return to Vicarage Road with a draw. Marvin Sordell opened the scoring toward end of the first half and held the lead for 20 minutes before Andy Gray equalised. In a game of only eight fouls Barnsley out pointed Watford on all counts. Further into the past: With the two teams living in the lower levels of the league they only started meeting regularly form the middle of the 1970s. Watford have the advantage in their encounters in the south with eleven wins to Barnsleys seven and eight draws. Watford have scored 33 goals and Barnsley 26. The first meeting was in 1911 for the only cup match which Barnsley won 0:2 skál/skÃ¥l/cheers/salut Don't forget The Hornets Nest, drop in for some match chat. Travellers may want some information about Watford.
Great thread as always AK. If we play like was have the last two games i can see this being a romp for us, but i doubt that will happen, so i say 2-1.
Think it will be hard to keep Barnsley out...they have some decent goalscorers in them...the kind who take a 1/2 chance and put it away. Still reckon we're in with a good shout though....need to work from the midfield and try and get a foothold...can't be relying on half chances like at Millwall.
Great thread ak . I think we'll continue our good run and win it 3-1, with both strikers on the sheet again. COYH!!!
Great thead Ak, you're amazing, thank you! i can only see a home win for this one and as ever, the score will be 3-1
Well I am coming in from the Shires to watch this one with my son Picking him up from Aylesbury on my way through, 3-1 to the mighty 'Orns lot's of clapping and shouting to keep us warm me thinks. Now where did I leave my thermals? Many thanks again Ak for another excellent thread
It looks as if we are taking a fairly sensible approach to this young man. http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sport/9510143.Watford_to_monitor_Murray_s_fitness/
He is still developing as player and as a youth, he cannot be rushed other wise he could burn out and we don't want that to happen. SD in my eyes seems to be nurturing our youngsters very well and long may it continue
Murray did make a cameo this season before the Tottenham match. Doubt that makes any difference to his fitness, but just thought I'd point out the inaccuracy. Looking forward to seeing Catch-a-ni-clitch in action. And despite losing Sordell, I'm hoping the relatively stability we've had compared to Barnsley will work in our favour.
Will definitely be in my thermals tomorrow! lol...are you sitting anywhere near me tomorrow? Be good to see you! amen!
He did? When was that NNW? I'm looking forward to seeing him too, he sounded really useful at Millwall . And i agree, i don't think losing Marvin will make a huge difference to our game.
Nice one AK, 5*'s from me as always. I think a 2-1 home win, but a difficult game in difficult conditions. My spies tell me McGinn is looking good... PSH - You will be in line with me, my seat is 39, but a bit higher up.
Got a couple of interesting things on the go H, but I have to keep a bit quiet for a couple of weeks...then all will be revealed
I think we can keep enough of the form going from the last two games to win this one. Think Barnsley will score so 2-1.
W-Y I shall keep an eye out for you, a bit higher up H, I asked to be sat there, I couldn't remember your exact seat but I knew it was close to there
