Huddersfield Town vs Watford Date: Saturday 5th October 2013, kick-off 3:00pm Venue: John Smith's Stadium Head to head: The two clubs will 'come of age' this weekend as they meet for what will be the twenty-first time in the League, the eleventh in Huddersfield. The Terriers have the better record of the two having won six of the previous corresponding fixtures against Watford's three, with only one stalemate between the two - a Division 4 October meeting in 1976 - with a goal tally of seventeen to eleven. The Hornets, however, hold the more recent bragging rights, having won their last two visits there. Last season's corresponding fixture not only heralded their rise up the table, but also highlighted the inability of Yorkshire folk to differentiate between fouling and diving, thanks to the over zealous marking of Forestieri by Town defenders. Our ex-Terriers: none. Their ex-Hornets: Jonathon 'Mr Fitness' Hogg - a much-missed-midfield-machine. Last time out: Huddersfield managed a creditable 1-1 draw at Middlesbrough. Dangerman James Vaughan scored his 11th of the season to give them the lead in the 59th minute - a lead they held for twenty minutes before succumbing to pressure from the home side, conceding a goal from a set piece. Manager Mark Robins said of the match "It was a fair outcome.....we made a bright start, and we passed well until the final delivery,...we knew we had to be competitive, especially in midfield, and deal with their pace out side, and for the most part, we did that...... we know we can be better, and the players are working hard to get to where we want to be, and we need to maintain our focus.” Watford turned in possibly their worst performance of the season in going down 0-1 at Blackburn. Watford boss Zola - worryingly nominated for the Championship kiss-of-death Manager of the month award - said of the match: ""It was a flat performance and of course a disappointing result......the game was similar to last year here. Not a lot happened in either penalty area apart from one moment when their main striker does what he is good at - and we are left to think about this, because we did not want to concede a goal in the manner it was scored.......we needed much more quality in our pass and we gave it away very cheap too many times Current table: Huddersfield - 9th - W3 D5 L2 GD4 Points 14 ***** Watford 7th - W5 D3 L2 GD10 Points 18 Team/injuries news: Almen Abdi remains unavailable, whilst Cristian Batticchio and Javier Acuna are both doubtful, due to a sore foot and a twisted ankle respectively - both will be re-assessed on Friday. The Terriers have no injury problems and are expected to field an unchanged team. My prediction - I don't think Watford will turn in another dismal performance. I do think Watford will continue last season's love affair with playing in Yorkshire - the Hornets to bounce back to form with a 3-1 victory, with Twinkletoes Forestieri reminding the home fans what fancy footwork is all about.
Nice one BB - 5*'s from me. Hope all is healing well... I am looking forward to a bounce-back as we are making the trek north and going for a 3-2 victory! Yorkie, H - are you going?
Well done BB. All three Bloothers (Mrs, Mini and Myself) are heading ooop north for this on Saturday, so hoping for a decent game and a Watford win. COYH
Watford have two fresh injury doubts ahead of this weekend’s trip to Huddersfield Town and influential midfielder Almen Abdi remains unavailable. Cristian Battocchio has not trained since the midweek defeat to Blackburn Rovers due to a sore foot and Javier Acuna is struggling after twisting his ankle at Ewood Park. Gianfranco Zola said today the duo would be reassessed tomorrow and confirmed Abdi will be missing again due to an inflammation under the foot but added he hoped to have him back following the international break. Watford Observer
For anyone travelling - Sir Luther will be taking part in a pre-match Q&A session. http://www.htafc.com/news/article/club-news-luther-blissett-guest-at-canalside-978142.aspx
Could do with a win before the international break. I'm going to stick my neck out here and go for 1-2 hoping we find whatever was missing against Blackburn (urgency?).
Not sure they would have played anyway. Think FF and Deeney will be up front - the former caused a few problems last season I remember. Shame Abdi still isn't fit - bit of a worry.
Almunia Doyley Angella Ekstrand Faraoni Murray Battochio Mcgugan Anya Deeney Fabbrini. Think we should start with this team, proper go for it with pace at the back to cover the lack of defensive midfielders, Hogg might have a wry smile on his face by the end. Think it will be another 4-1 win in the holy grounds of Yorkshire.
I'm going to stick my neck out and admit that I haven't been over impressed with FF when he starts games. I think at the moment he is better suited to coming off the bench as an impact player. So for me that leaves Troy and Fabrinini to start.
I remember it was the first game I saw last season and being very impressed with the football we were playing... and FF.. although he seemed a bit reckless....
Being married to a Yorkie means for me ... we'd better Bl**dy win cos I won't hear the last of it if we don't.
