CRYSTAL PALACE VS. WATFORD F.C. So the Championship Season 2012/13 begins in earnest, a day that has come very swiftly after the best Summer of sport in decades, EURO 2012 feels so long ago. Watford head down to Southern London to kick start their campaign, one that has many questions unanswered as we go into the season. Crystal Palace just about stayed up last season, only securing safety with one game remaining, the Orn's will be hoping to build on their highest finish in recent Championship memory. Crystal Palace News: Palace are yet to start their season having missed out on Saturday's Carling Cup ties and it will be interesting to see how they get on against Exeter later on today. (Tuesday). Their pre-season has been up and down with convincing wins against lesser opposition to start but a disappointing loss to Welling and another to Premier League new boys Reading may cause some concerns. Team News: To follow after their game today. Watford F.C News: Watford started their season proper in a rather poor display against Wycombe Wonderers scoring a 109 min win against their league 2 opposition thanks to a goal from Chris Iwelumo. It has been a pre-season of change for the hornets, with new owners, 8 new players (since my last count) and of course the arrival of Zola. The new manager has a vision of playing attractive, on the floor football and it will be interesting to see how they get on against Crystal Palace. Patience may well be needed from the Watford fans. Team News: As stated above it has been an off season changes at Vicarage Road and many of the new faces are yet to make a splash but all being well we should be seeing these players come soon. Murray, the important playmaker, was only rested against Wycombe so should be available for selection. It will be interesting to see who Zola puts up front, will it be the misfiring Garner on the exciting prospects of Geijo and Vydra? Overall: So, pre-season have officially ended, the speculation can now stop and the season can begin, 3 points for both sides will be vital, Zola to get a good start and so Palace don't start where they so nearly finished last season. My Prediction: A rather tight game but I think Watford will win 2-1 Enjoy all! Hampshirhorn
yay, thanks Hampshire! That's great i'm going for a 1-3..as i would. Though you're right. Patience is going to be needed..it's going to take a while for things to gel, so i realise i'm being hugely optimistic, and more than a little unrealistic probably! lol
The first game of the season is always very difficult to predict; this one doubly so. I get the very strong sense that we are not so much a 'work in progress' as a 'work just begun'. I would have been confident of a win under the old management (ignoring the worries about administration) but because of all the changes I really have no idea. Clearly I would like everything to click and for us to win 7-0 with fast flowing football that brings gasps of delight even to the most hardened Palace fan, but I think it is probably too early for that. I also think it is appropriate that we are playing Palace first under the new regime because we don't want to end up like Palace's 'Team of the Eighties'. They were very pretty to watch but rarely won and ended up relegated. Having said all that it is exciting that a new season has started and that this one offers more promise than a relegation battle. I also now have a smart phone so I don't have to get out of bed to go to the computer to know what is happening during the match.
Thanks Hampshire I think we are going to be a team that is hard to break down, but also struggle to score until we click properly. I think it will be a possession-football match, with very little threat in either final-third. I am going to go with a 1-1, a decent point to start the season with!
Hi Hampshire Just being realistic, the new players will inevitably take time to adjust in English football. The Home grown players will likewise also take time to adjust to the new playing style. I have a strong feeling that our main strength will be passing the ball sideways. I've no doubt though, that we will start to pick up after the first month (or two) and that a couple of the foreign players mainly Alex Geijo will be a big success.
A bit pessimistic there, yellowvoice - but you may well be right. Just as for last season, there may well be a period of 'bedding in' a similar number of new squad members before they gel as a team. I have to say though, that comparing the two sets of incomers makes me think that the process will be nowhere near as long as last year. The early signs are promising - we seem to have sorted our long standing left back problem, our midfield appears to be more balanced and creative, we have access to more pace on at least one of the flanks but - the same old but - scoring goals may still be a problem, at least (we can hope) until Geijo and Beleck are ready. Having said that - and for no reasons other than loyalty - I expect us to win on Saturday by two clear goals.
going forward is our problem but we definitely have strength at the back...i don't see us having any high scoring games until we really get this team up and running...but i don't see many scoring against us...
hampshire, thanks for the thread. I seem to remember someone putting on these boards that Murray was unavailable for Saturday as he was on compassionate leave due to the death of his gran. If that was the case, Zola might feel that Murray might benefit from not playing Saturday and returning next Tuesday for the game against Ipswich. I'm going to go for a draw, either 0-0 or 1-1.
From the OS - "Sean Murray had the equivalent of a dead leg to his calf muscle, so he was left out as a precaution - nothing serious at all."
on saturday, Jon Marks said Sean Murray got a knock in training. Today on Twitter it was said he had dead leg..i'm guessing both are true
Nice thread Admit to being worried..... new team and manager etc etc..... I hope for a draw but fear we may be exposed....
When in doubt it's often not a bad idea to go with recent games between the two teams. This is not good for us! I think we'll nick a point but it could easily go badly wrong as I think Palace will struggle this season so will be desperate to get off to a good start. We'd better pass better than the Wycombe game.
