BLACKPOOL v WATFORD Blackpool are likely to be without winger Thomas Ince due a thigh injury. Central defender Gary MacKenzie, who has a hamstring problem, is also unavailable, while Craig Cathcart (knee) may also miss out. Watford duo Almen Abdi and Lloyd Doyley are expected to be fit to travel as both have recovered from foot and thigh injuries respectively. But defensive duo Nyron Nosworthy (Achilles) and Tommie Hoban (ankle) remain sidelined. MATCH FACTS Head-to-head • These clubs have only met 21 times since 1922 and each have won six, with nine drawn. • Blackpool are unbeaten in six Championship games against the Hornets - three wins and three draws. • Watford's most recent victory over the Seasiders was in February 2009 and it was only their second league triumph at Bloomfield Road. Blackpool • Second-placed Blackpool have 10 points after four games for the first time and victory will make it their best start to a league season since 1935, when they won four and drew one of their first five. • Paul Ince's side are unbeaten in six league games, have only lost one in 12 and are challenging for a fourth straight home victory. • They have opened the scoring in all four Championship games this season and are defending a 100% home record. Watford • Watford are unbeaten after six league and cup games and already have four wins under their belt. • The fifth-placed Hornets have won two and drawn two in the Championship, but have not been unbeaten after the first five games since the 2000/01 season, when they won 12 of their first 15 matches at this level. • Last season's top Championship scorers with 85 goals are already this season's most prolific side with 11 in four games. • The Hornets are the only club in the division to have been awarded and to have scored two penalties. Managers After Wednesdays win over Bournemouth Zola said: “It was a good performance. I know I can make changes because the squad this year is quite strong and even if we make the changes we have a good side. For example all our defenders could be regulars. “It is good for me that I can make changes because it keeps everyone fresh and on their toes.” Meanwhile, the Blackpool Echo is reporting that Paul Ince won’t have much say in his team selection for this afternoon’s home clash with Watford. Blackpool have only 14 senior players available due to injury and another fruitless week in the transfer market. Ince stated last week he wanted eight players to sign before Monday’s transfer deadline, and so far none have. It leaves his squad totally threadbare and without options in key areas. “We are playing to fit the players we have in the squad. You have to play with what you have" said Ince.
Thanks for doing this Bloother. When it gets close to kick off I will be around. It looks as if Paul Ince is going to play the lack of players card if they get thumped. Of course if they can get a point or three he will say how good a manager he is.
Jon Marks reports that Tom Ince is having a fitness test. The local press were saying that he would not be training before next Tuesday.
WatfordFC line-up v Blackpool: Almunia; Cassetti, Angella, Ekstrand; Faraoni, McGugan, Iriney, Abdi, Anya; Deeney, Fabbrini. WatfordFC subs v Blackpool: Bond, Belkalem, Pudil, Murray, Smith, Acuna and Forestieri. Blackpool XI v #WatfordFC: Gilks; Bishop, Basham, Broadfoot, Robinson; Osbourne, Ferguson, Angel; Barkhuizen, Delfouneso, Fuller. Blackpool subs v #watfordfc: Halstead (GK), McGahey, Harris, Caton, Chopra, Grant, Ince.
According to the other forum Battocchio was left out of the squad due to home grown rules. Shame really - not only because Doyley is out but he did well on Wednesday. Rules are rules though and at least the club worked it out before the game!
Travelling horns just going through their warm ups and are pretty loud. Expected that 1200-1300 will make it up there.
Good playing surface at this time of the season. Decent attack by the Horns finishes when Deeney heads just over.
Anya showing his pace again. Abdi brought down in area. PENALTY Deeney has the ball. Gilkes makes a great save.
Cant believe we've already had 3 penalties this season!?!?! Sounds like an open game, still think we will edge this one, especially with Blackpool's injury problems
Deeney looks as if he is up for a battle again. Watford bossing the mid-field. Wild challenge from Robinson earns him a yellow card. Another defence mix-up brings a corner to the Horns.
