Watford v Norwich City Saturday 5th December 2015 3 p.m. at Vicarage Road please log in to view this image The Opposition: The Manager: Alex Neil Neil's professional playing career saw stints at Airdrieonians, Barnsley, Mansfield Town and Hamilton Academical. He became player/manager of Hamilton Academical in 2013 and he led them to promotion to the Scottish Premiership in 2014. In January 2015 he was appointed manager of Norwich City making him the second youngest manager in the English Football leagues. On 25 May 2015, Neil led Norwich to promotion to the Barclays Premier League via the play-offs after a 2–0 victory over Middlesbrough at Wembley, following a 3rd-place finish in the Football League Championship. Neil was pleased with his side's aggression in their Premier League 1-1 draw with Arsenal. The result brought his side only their fourth point from seven matches."I don't think there was any malice in it - we were just making sure we were aggressive and we wanted to win the ball more than them," he said. "I want that against every team. It doesn't matter if we're playing Arsenal or anybody else - I was pleased with how we approached the match. Recent Form Although Norwich have lost their last three away matches, like Watford they are becoming competitive in all matches. Since the heavy defeat at Newcastle they played away to both Manchester City and Chelsea and went down by a single goal in both games. please log in to view this image Norwich currently sit in 16th place in the table - 3 points ahead of the drop zone. Over the last half a dozen matches Watford have moved towards a mid table position please log in to view this image In head to head games Norwich have a substantial lead of Watford overall with 40 wins against Watford's 26 and 29 drawn games. It is closer at Vicarage Road though where the Hornets lead 16 to 13. please log in to view this image Recent results have not gone Watford's way. Two 3-0 defeats last year and no win for Watford since 10th December 2008. Only 10 games between the sides in the last 10 years due to forays into the Premiership - this though is the first meeting of the teams in the Premiership. please log in to view this image Last Year : Carrow Road 16th August 2014: Neil Adams claimed his first win as Norwich City boss seven games into his tenure with a resounding win over 10-man Watford. Hornets defender Joel Ekstrand saw red after just two minutes for a collision with Nathan Redmond. Norwich pinned back the visitors and Bradley Johnson's superb 20-yard finish had them in front before half-time. And two goals in as many minutes from Lewis Grabban and Alexander Tettey finished off Beppe Sannino's side. At the Vic on 21st Feb 2015: Norwich City scored three goals in the final 25 minutes to beat play-off rivals Watford and move to within four points of the top two. Lewis Grabban scored a 65th-minute spot-kick after Miguel Layun brought down Wes Hoolahan in the area. Moments later Cameron Jerome clipped a shot over Heurelho Gomes and Grabban swept home a third late on. Watford, who drop below the Canaries to sixth, made few chances in what was their first loss in four games. The Man in the MIddle The referee against Norwich City will be Mike Dean and this will be the first time that he has taken charge of a Watford match this season. Assistants are John Brooks and Harry Lennard. Dean is a vastly experienced official, having refereed over 300 Premier League games. The last time he took charge of a fixture involving Watford was in October 2012 when the Hornets achieved a 2-1 victory over Charlton Athletic at the Valley. On that day he sent off Fernando Forestieri for two bookable offences. Dean has taken charge of 14 matches this season in all competitions (12 in the Premier League) and he has shown 50 yellow cards and 5 red. Betting Watford 15/13 Norwich 29/10 Draw 5/2
Obviously I want a Norwich win and recent form does favour us but you are very difficult to score against and we are light in the striking stakes so who knows! What ever the result I wish the Hornets every success in the Premier League!
I dont know if you have read this but is is quite upbeat... and hes been getting a lot of support http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/malky-mackay-vows-put-dark-6652779
Thanks for posting that Yorkie, I hadn't seen it. I wonder how much of the ethos that Elton brought to the club has rubbed off on all of us?
Any suggestions for a 'decent' pub that I can go into with my Norwich supporting friends on Saturday? Any suggestions appreciated
Great thread Leonardo, thanks! Obviously I see a 3-1 win but we never beat Norwich so hopefully we can smash them this time! (sorry Dave)! I see it as a fairly cagey affair with very few goals though. Bringing my niece for the first time and would live her Watford supporting days to begin with a win! The oddfellows arms for away fans HH
.. another update on Malky: There was a snapshot of the future and a reminder of the past last night as a youthful Watford side defeated Berkhamsted 3-1 after extra-time in the Herts Senior Challenge Cup. In front of former manager Malky Mackay, who blooded so many youngsters during his time at Vicarage Road, the next generation of Watford players recovered from a goal scored by Alex Campana, who was in the club’s 2006/07 Premier League squad, to equalise through Ogo Obi and then win it in extra time with goals from Andrew Eleftheriou and Dennon Lewis. please log in to view this image Malky Mackay at Broadwater last night. Picture by David Anderson
Nascot Arms off Cassio Road about five minutes from the junction. Allow 25 minute walk to the ground or book a cab. Six ales and Thai food.
