BLACKPOOL v WATFORD
Bloomfield Road
Saturday 8th October 2022
Kick Off : 1500 BST
When Slaven Bilic witnessed his Watford side make light work of Stoke City last weekend, the Croatian would have been optimistic about his players being equally ruthless against Swansea City three days later.
However, the visitors overturned a half-time deficit to record a surprise 2-1 win at Vicarage Road, reducing Watford to two wins from their last 10 matches in all competitions.
Although Bilic will argue that his team deserved at least a point, he is already too aware that results mean more than performances at the club that he chose to join late last month.
On a positive note, Watford's defeat came on the same matchday that top-two sides Sheffield United and Norwich City also dropped points, leaving the Hertfordshire-based outfit just seven points adrift of first place.
With Ismaila Sarr back in the team and scoring in two successive matches, Bilic will feel confident about returning to winning ways against their next opponents.
Bloomfield Road
Saturday 8th October 2022
Kick Off : 1500 BST
You must log in or register to see images
When Slaven Bilic witnessed his Watford side make light work of Stoke City last weekend, the Croatian would have been optimistic about his players being equally ruthless against Swansea City three days later.
However, the visitors overturned a half-time deficit to record a surprise 2-1 win at Vicarage Road, reducing Watford to two wins from their last 10 matches in all competitions.
Although Bilic will argue that his team deserved at least a point, he is already too aware that results mean more than performances at the club that he chose to join late last month.
On a positive note, Watford's defeat came on the same matchday that top-two sides Sheffield United and Norwich City also dropped points, leaving the Hertfordshire-based outfit just seven points adrift of first place.
With Ismaila Sarr back in the team and scoring in two successive matches, Bilic will feel confident about returning to winning ways against their next opponents.
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Blackpool had initially taken to life under Michael Appleton, recording eight points from their opening six matches this season.
However, just four have come from the next batch of half-a-dozen fixtures, including four defeats, and it took a goalless draw at Sunderland earlier this week to stop the rot.
While Appleton will be more than satisfied with a share of the spoils at the Stadium of Light, the Seasiders head into games with Watford and Sheffield United facing a battle to avoid dropping into the relegation zone.
Blackpool have also scored just twice in six outings, while they have not posted a victory at their home ground since the opening day of the campaign.
Team News
William Troost-Ekong returns to the Watford squad for tomorrow’s game at Blackpool and there will be a late decision on Francisco Sierralta as the defensive injury list continues to cause head coach Slaven Bilic headaches.
However Craig Cathcart and Mario Gaspar miss the trip to the north west, as do Joao Pedro, Kortney Hause, Tom Cleverley, Jeremy Ngakia and Tom Dele-Bashiru. On the plus side, Tom Dele-Bashiru has been training with the first team and may be involved tomorrow.
Our Officials
ROBERT MADLEY
Jonathan Hunt and George Byrne
Fourth Official: Darren Bond
However, just four have come from the next batch of half-a-dozen fixtures, including four defeats, and it took a goalless draw at Sunderland earlier this week to stop the rot.
While Appleton will be more than satisfied with a share of the spoils at the Stadium of Light, the Seasiders head into games with Watford and Sheffield United facing a battle to avoid dropping into the relegation zone.
Blackpool have also scored just twice in six outings, while they have not posted a victory at their home ground since the opening day of the campaign.
Team News
William Troost-Ekong returns to the Watford squad for tomorrow’s game at Blackpool and there will be a late decision on Francisco Sierralta as the defensive injury list continues to cause head coach Slaven Bilic headaches.
However Craig Cathcart and Mario Gaspar miss the trip to the north west, as do Joao Pedro, Kortney Hause, Tom Cleverley, Jeremy Ngakia and Tom Dele-Bashiru. On the plus side, Tom Dele-Bashiru has been training with the first team and may be involved tomorrow.
Our Officials
ROBERT MADLEY
You must log in or register to see images
Jonathan Hunt and George Byrne
Fourth Official: Darren Bond
