BOLTON v WATFORD !!WELCOME BACK TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP AFTER THE INTERNATIONAL BREAK!! Bolton Wanderers and Watford clash at the Reebok Stadium as the Championship season continues following the international break. Let’s hope Zola can remember not only the names but the positions and skills of the (around) 16 new players that have flooded his squad since he took over. Watford look to bounce back from the woeful thrashing Derby deservedly dished out. Watford have shown some promise but only in patches under new Italian ownership. Bolton are back in the Championship and, like most teams, thinking about promotion. However, this is no easy league and despite their squad’s experience Coyle is already under media pressure. With Spearing on loan from Liverpool and Eagles already with three goals to his name, plus, Ngog, Davies and a certain Scordell in the attacking options Bolton have a lot of strength, including five international players to return. However, after that play-off final in 1999 we all know that we can do it against them!! Quotes: Zola – "They (the Pozzos) have asked me for a season of adjustment. We will aim for a place in the playoffs and promotion next season." Midfielder Andrews - "I think it was a challenge right from the off and the start that we've had has been far from ideal." Current form: Bolton: LWDL Watford: WLWL AS ALWAYS COMMENTS ARE APPRECIATED AND WELCOME - ENJOY THE GAME
So lets guess the starting XI. Almunia Cassetti, Bottocchio, Nosworthy, Dickinson Pudil, Abdi, Eustace, Murray Vydra, Geijo. Thoughts???
I doubt it. Pudil is a left sided player is he not? Also Bottocchio is an attacking midfielder not a center back. I would think it would be a 4-3-3 formation as it has been in the otherfor games and in training.
Thanks Dan, or centre back as we say.....!!!! Then again these Italians can play anywhere.....!!!!!!!!!!
Add to that the fact that Eustace has just undergone back surgery........ I can't see Dickinson playing LB instead of Pudil - and I can't see Hogg not playing either. I'm just glad the selection problem is not mine.
Nice one Mexico, 5 *'s from me. I am going with a 1-2 win to Watford with a massive bit of bouncebackability! I predict a few Italians playing for us..
Me thinks: Almunia Doyley, Nosworthy, Casseti, Pudil Murray Hogg Abdi Battocchio Vydra Geijo(is he injured?, otherwise Iwelumo)
i'm going to be there, i hope it's not another Derby game! Thanks Mex, great thread . I predict a 1-3 win for Watford of course...the team? who knows! i'd say... Almunia Doyley, Nos, Cassetti, Pudil Murray, Forestieri, Hogg, Abdi, Iwelumo, Vydra
We're one point off the play-offs, three points clear of the relegation zone, and on a run of one consecutive league defeat(s). According to Alan Brazil, this means that we're "struggling". I'm not arguing that everything is rosy, but come on!
Hmm this is one of those 'on paper' you'd expect us to struggle, which probably means we will do well. I've had two different people at work say we will win, and Coyle get the sack! I'd like the former, but not the latter to happen! I have gone for a Watford 2-1 win in the predictions (I think) As for the team... no idea. Don't know who is unfit or has a muscle imbalance! Also don;t know if he will go for a 4-3-3 or keep trying with the 2 fuill-backs! I'd go for either; ---------Almunia------- ---Cassetti--Nos--Nueton Doyley----------------Pudil -------Hogg--Abdil--------- --Murray---------Forestieri ---------Vydra----------- or --------Almunia---------- Doyley--Cassetti-Nos--Pudil ---------Hogg---------- ----Abdi------Battocchio Murray-----------Vydra -------Iwelumo--------- In other words... no idea!
We have to assume that Doyley will play semi regularly, because he always does. But if we eventually go to a 3-4-3, surely Lloyd will become a centre back? He is as much of a wing back as Helguson was.
Today it would seem that the players had an early start as they were already warming down and practicing set pieces when I arrived at 11:00. The players had split into two groups, one of 13 and the other of 20+. The larger group were warming down and practicing their set pieces whilst the smaller group were on a seperate pitch. The first group included Almunia, Bond, Dickinson, Nos, Doyley, Pudil, Cassetti, Hoban, Ekstrand, Neuton, Yeates, Hogg, Anya, Abdi, Battocchio, Murray, Iwelumo, Vydra, Garner, Geijo, Forestieri and Beleck. This would seem to show an intent to play 4-3-3 as at derby with a few changes. The other group included Deeney who looked keen to be there McGinn who had a big grin on his face and the others who are not injured or on loan.
We could have a team with no British born players for the first time. I remember a quiz question Frenchie wrote about a Watford team played and all eleven footballers had represented a different country. Saturday will not be like that but the first sentence is possible.
Such is "progress" in professional football. What, I wonder, was the reaction of the fans when a Watford team first contained no Watford-born players? Has anybody any idea of when that would have been? Sorry, this should perhaps be in a different thread.....
That wont happen AK the rules state that we have tohave at least 6 "homegrown" players. Players who have been registered for >3 years prior to their 21st birthday.
Some updates on this; http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sport/9928703.Zola_expecting_tough_test/ Euastace out, Hall picked up another small injury so is a doubt, Geijo should be in contention!
