Hull City vs Watford 2nd April 2013 7:45pm Kick-Off KC Stadium Hull City View attachment 22570 The Tigers are looking good in the run-in for Promotion to the Premier League for the 2nd time as they sit 4 points clear in 2nd spot. City have a had a minor slip lately but got back to winning ways away at Huddersfield Town where George Boyd scored the winner straight after half time after being slipped through on goal by Jay Simpson. Hull's ability to grind out 1-0 results when the performance isn't so convincing is, as many say, a sign of a good side and City will definitely need to be a good side when Watford visit the KC Stadium. Stephen Quinn and Gedo were rested against Huddersfield, making it a probability that they will both start tonight but the main debate is who fills the defensive midfield role. Alex Bruce was the suitor at the John Smith's Stadium, with Corry Evans coming on to replace him rather than allegedly unhappy Fathi. The Tigers are a very good side at home and will need to have their heads screwed on properly and take the chances given to them as this is arguably the biggest challenge of the Season. Watford Watford were in rampant form, scoring at will and firing themselves into the automatic promotion picture but have struggled for a win lately, putting them 4 points behind. A win at the KC Stadium could change everything though and it's all to play for in what promises to be a great match. Watford are a very good team away from home, as their counter-attacking style of play is suited perfectly to the set-up as the home team will attack and play right into the Hornets' hands. They will need to be at their clinical edge though and have that little extra about them in order to break down a sturdy and reliable Hull City defence. Championship Player of the Year, Matej Vydra was rested in the 3-3 draw against Burnley and the 20-goal striker will probably start against The Tigers tonight. Players such as Almen Abdi, Nathaniel Chalobah, Troy Deeney are all very dangerous and can cause a stressful time for the Tigers. Interesting Facts - Hull City are currently on an unbeaten run of 8 games in all Competitions against Watford, with 6 wins and 2 draws. - Hull City could earn their first double over Watford since the successive victories in the Play-off Semi Finals in 2008. (First League double since 1972) - The last time Watford won at the KC Stadium, was back in 2005 (2-1) with Watford eventually winning promotion to the Premier League. - If 5 goals feature in this match, it will take the total netted in League games between the two Clubs to 100 goals. - Hull City have only failed to score in one of their last 13 outings. - Watford could earn their 500th away draw in League football whereas Hull City could have a 900th League loss. - Lloyd Doyley could make his 400th League start for Watford and Alex Bruce could earn his 200th League start overall. Top Scorers Hull City: Sone Aluko 8, Robert Koren 8, Jay Simpson 7, Gedo 5, David Meyler 5 Watford: Matej Vydra 20, Troy Deeney 15, Almen Abdi 10, Fernando Forestieri 7, Ikechi Anya 4 Ones to Watch please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image
So it would. I'm too used to typing about Player/Manager of the Month that it just became habit. It has been amended.
I don't expect a draw, I've seen a few people who do but we've only drawn 5 and Watford have drawn 7, also with them being the highest scorers in English football this season and having to win, they're going to need to come at us hopefully leaving themselves wide open for Koren, Boyd, Simpson, Gedo, Elmo, Brady, Quinn to pick them off.
Ticket sales up to yesterday were 18,000, if you haven't got yours yet, get yer arse to the ticket office... please log in to view this image
I'd like to see Stockdale Chester Faye Hobbs Elmo Boyd Bruce Quinn Brady Simpson Gedo We should be going for the knackers, Meyler will be a miss, and Koren has been looking off the boil recently, so if Quinn is fit, Boyd should give us the added legs in the centre of the park.
Evans in for Bruce, Watford can play football, the last thing we need is a midfielder who can't pass.
That was so frustrating when watching the Huddersfield game... I know AB is not in the side to be a passer, but bloody hell! He made more passes to Huddersfield players than he did us. Fathi should get a start IMO. Neat and tidy, we need that flow of accurate passing and attacking intent against Watford.
Perhaps I was being conservative. I cant see AB being dropped, so that may well mean Faye will drop to the bench!
Also, Evans is nippier, making him more effective against Watford's quick counter-attacks. The ball would be back at the half-way line by the time Bruce had turned around.
For those who can't go to the match. There is live commentary on BBC 5 Live. The whole evening programme is coming from the KC.
I like to start Fathi, but this match might be too big a gamble to do so. Evans is probably the best bet. Stockdale Hobbs Chester Faye Elmo Boyd Evans Quinn Brady Gedo Simpson
Seeing as Huddersfield were bombarding us in the last 10-15 mins on Saturday, then would have been a great opportunity for Fathi to come on, however SB chose Evans, so out of the two, I suspect Evans would be more likely.
Ditto, but I would have said the same for the majority of our recent matches, and he hasnt had a sniff!
From a Watford point of view, this would be our strongest line up from the players we have available. Bond Cassetti, Doyley, Hall, Ekstrand, Pudil Chalobah, Abdi, Battochhio Vydra, Deeney Subs: Foresteiri, Anya, Briggs, Bonham (GK), Yeates, Geijo, Bia We will probably start with a 3-5-2 formation with the wing backs pushing into midfield. If we need to press for a goal later on, expect the formation to change to 4-3-3 with Pudil going off for Forestieri, who is a big impact player.
Coming up against another team playing with proper wing-backs again will put a lot of pressure on the midfield battle. Boyd, Quinn and Evans seems reasonable to me. All three are grafters who are comfortable on the ball too.
