please log in to view this image WOKING v WATFORD please log in to view this image The Laithwaite Community Stadium Sunday 6th January 2019 Kick Off 1400 GMT The FA Cup - 3rd Round please log in to view this image Woking are the lowest ranked team left in the competition, playing their domestic football in the National League South. Woking manager Alan Dowson fears Watford will inflict a "cricket score" upon his side and has rubbished any idea of a giant-killing. "On the day we will believe we can win the game, because we've go to. But realistically we won't win," Dowson said. "You've got to do interviews and get your big head in the paper but I am more bothered with the Welling game on Wednesday. "Watford is a showpiece. Once we get whacked by them we can look forward to Wednesday and Welling." Woking playmaker Max Kretzschmar is expected to miss out against Watford, though strikers Jamar Loza and Jake Hyde are likely to return after being rested against in the win over Hampton and Richmond. Javi Gracia looks set to use the depth of his talented squad on Sunday after admitting the FA Cup game with Woking provides an ideal chance to give some game time to some of his underused players. The Head Coach has found it really difficult to leave internationals out of his Premier League matchday squad, but accepts that it comes with the territory when coaching a near fully-fit squad of players all with experience of playing in the top leagues in Europe. Only Sebastian Prödl, Christian Kabasele and Andre Gray are unavailable through injury while Marvin Zeegelaar and Stefano Okaka will also not be considered as Gracia confirmed they are in negotiations over loan moves to Udinese. "The rest of the players are available," declared Gracia. That means the likes of Nathaniel Chalobah, Daryl Janmaat, Marc Navarro, Miguel Britos, Ben Wilmot, Adalberto Peñaranda, Domingos Quina, Tom Cleverley, Heurelho Gomes and Pontus Dahlberg are all under consideration to start against Woking. Adalberto Peñaranda please log in to view this image will be desperate to play having seen his introduction to English football delayed by the application process for a work permit and then a foot problem. “He's available and is improving,” said Gracia. “He is in a fit condition and I think he will be available. He is improving day by day and in this moment he is an option.” So maybe this will give us a chance to finally see him. A Few Facts This will be the first competitive meeting between Woking and Watford. Woking are playing in the FA Cup third round for the first time since the 1996-97 campaign - they've only progressed to round four once before (1990-91). Woking have never won in four previous FA Cup matches against top-flight opposition, losing against Bolton in 1907-08, Everton in 1990-91 and Coventry in a replay in 1996-97. This is Watford's first FA Cup match against non-league opponents since December 1996 (5-0 vs Ashford Town). They've won 18 of their last 19 such ties in the competition, losing only against Northwich Victoria in 1976-77. WHEREVER YOU ARE IN THE WORLD - ENJOY THE GAME
We would be wise not to take this one too lightly, they won at Swindon in the previous round. Also they have a small grudge against us because we sent an under 23 side to their place for a pre season friendly a couple of years back, having previously announced that it would be a first team fixture. They are in the same division as St Albans City and Hemel Hempstead, and are semi pro.
For anyone with a ticket, Martin Black will be opening the Kingfield Arms on Sunday morning at 10am for fans, with hot food being served including bacon rolls. Parking is available next door to it at Kingfield School.
Lets play the strongest and most committed side possible and get the job done. With our defence they will still be a threat from set plays etc and lets just take some of our chances to make it very comfortable. I guess Javi will rest some key players but then a lot had a rest last Saturday! Least if you played Deeney/Holebas/Cleverley you'd get 100% effort and no being complacent I feel.
Not sure about the wisdom of using language like 'very comfortable' ,'get the job done'.Could turn out that way of course but tempting fate ? Take the day off Mr Deeney ,keep Woking tranquil !
This could be a banana skin. There's always a shock in the 3rd round and i'd hate it to be us...imagine..on the telly too! Still, we really should go with a certain amount of confidence..i just struggle to find confidence most of the time! lol Tbh, i'd be gutted if it was 1-3 but i'm going to predict it, simply because i always do and we have no idea who will play, nor how they will play! I'll be there, anyone else going?
Well if any selection from our 1st team squad cannot beat Woking then they probably need to look at themselves very hard. With a proper team out of international players multi million pound players it ought to be a strong convincing performance against a team of part timers. We will have most of the ball and will be creating lots of chances - just a case of how we take them. I'd fancy Deeney to take them more so than Success for example. That doesn't mean they won't test us in defence - with the way we defend set plays anyone could!
There is no doubt that our players are better than theirs Mark. But it is teams that win matches not individual players and they will not have any selection problems but we will - they will have their normal starting 11 out there playing in, what is for them, a cup final. In contrast we may have a 'starting 11 thrown together for the day'. Not trying to spread doom and gloom here but I will be glad to get this one behind us.
True but I presume we will play the same sort of side that started against Newcastle or in League Cup so not totally unknown to each other you'd like to think. Certainly attacking wise we have the ability if you have Hughes/Chalobah etc involved. The defence having an unusual selection might prove tricky in terms of communication and knowing who to mark and pick up. I'd agree more if we really did just play the kids like an under 23s game but don't think that will happen.... Some of our players should be looking to make their mark as well of course - and if they don't or looking like they cannot be bothered or not interested then they will suffer the fall out. The main danger will be complacency and not being fully focused - I would probably play more British lads it has to be said as they will understand what going to a lower league club is like and what is required.
While waiting for the game to start, you might like to read an account of what the FA Cup used to be like, and it is all about Watford. www.theguardian.com/football/that-1980s-sports-blog/2019/jan/04/fa-cup-third-round-tie-three-replays-newcastle-watford
Totally agree. However, we look like we should be safe now so I'd be inclined to play our strongest team. Really think we are good enough to go on a run this season provided we avoid Palace and Bournemouth
Such a short turn around in games! And managers complain now about 2 games in a week... Wonder how tickets were sold as well - no quick clicking onto the Internet in those days! Good point Dan - I mean we haven't got a game for a week so the players can rest and some weren't involved against Newcastle last week. Certainly no excuse to put out a strong experienced side I feel - just a case of have they got the right mind set and focus on the game.
16,000 at the first game at the Vic, and 15,000 for the second one. It was still pay on the gate time I think, and the police didn't need a weeks notice to find a couple of men to control the traffic.
Woking are building themselves up by reminding themselves that on this day in 1991 they won 4-2 at the Hawthorns against West Brom. If Troy Deeney plays he could be marked by a bricklayer by the name of Ben Gerring - according to Gerring 'The best way I can get his (Troy's) respect is to put him in row Z' - Troy apparently finds this very funny
“It's our first game in this competition and we know you have to win six games to win the cup,” said Gracia. “Why not? We can do it. It's a challenge for us with the squad we have. I think it's a good chance to keep doing the same things we are doing. We are focused on the next game. It's another competition, but it's an important one for us, a new chance. With the players we have, we can achieve good things this season.” Gracia has forged quite a reputation at the training ground for his attention to detail and his tactical planning. He has left no stone unturned again this weekend as he has had Woking watched five times.
