please log in to view this image ROTHERHAM UNITED v WATFORD please log in to view this image New York Stadium Tuesday 16th March 2021 Kick Off: 1900 GMT please log in to view this image Watford left it late to beat playoff chasing Cardiff City on Saturday, as Adam Masina's 94th-minute free-kick secured a dramatic 2-1 win in south Wales. It was a third straight victory for Xisco Munoz's side, who have now won seven of their last eight games. It is a run of form that has catapulted them into the automatic promotion picture, having previously only being considered as playoff contenders. The Hornets are level on points with Swansea City and three points ahead of Brentford, but have played one game more than both sides. Including Tuesday's game, Watford's next three fixtures are all against bottom four sides with clashes with Birmingham City and Sheffield Wednesday to come. No team has conceded fewer goals in the Championship this season than the Hornets (25), while they have won three of their last four away games having only won three of the previous 14. Now they travel to a Rotherham side who have lost their last three games at the New York Stadium and have picked up the second fewest amount of points at home in the Championship. please log in to view this image Tuesday's fixture will be Paul Warne's side's first match in two weeks, as their last three have been postponed due to positive Covid-19 tests. Their last outing was a vital 2-1 victory over fellow strugglers and Yorkshire rivals Sheffield Wednesday, as Freddie Ladapo broke clear in the 97th minute to score the winning goal. That followed five successive defeats for Rotherham, but all by just the one goal, so they are by no means being outplayed in matches. Nonetheless, they are three points adrift of safety in 22nd position, albeit with four games in hand over 21st-placed Birmingham City. Watford have won the four most recent games between the two sides without conceding a goal, including a 2-0 victory in this season's reverse fixture in December. please log in to view this image WHEREVER YOU ARE IN THE WORLD ENJOY THE GAME
Two games also being played on Tuesday evening to keep an eye on. Derby v Brentford Bournemouth v Swansea
2-0. This was played on December 8th. Six of the starting 11 will not be playing the reverse fixture. 4-4-2 has become 4-3-3. I've just watched the highlights of the home fixture and we started well but got sloppy at the back in the second half
Seems the manager has got a handle on the league and the necessary tactics / team to succeed . No small feat considering he just stepped in mid season , it’s obvious the rapport with the players is good , seems to get the best out of them , and keep them competitive , can see troy moving to a coaching role , be good for all !
And two of the subs won't be playing either. With reference to the 'sloppy at the back' bit, it wouldn't surprise me if WTE doesn't start either. He did have a few heart-stopping moments against Cardiff.
We're playing three (on paper) weak teams over the next few games. I hope Munoz doesn't try to use it as an opportunity to rotate players and still plays a strong team. If you need to rest players, get the game won and then sub players off.
Fortunately there is the International break for players to have a rest. Maybe Sarr can pretend to have a knock and not have to play for Senegal ?
from their website: READ | Warne undergoing period of self-isolation as Roundwood training base reopens following Covid outbreak - News - Rotherham United (themillers.co.uk) they look in trouble with the training ground only re-opening today and a number of staff still self isolating. Let's hope they don't infect any of our players.
www.watfordfc.com/news/munoz-we-can-give-more Hopefully tonight will not be one of the difficult days.
Will not be joining tonight on Hive as have decided to watch a Science Museum (just discovered lots of good talks on line from them) talk on line but will keep an eye on things. Enjoy the game all COYH!
You woulkd think everything is in our favour for a good win tonight........ but as we know it is not always like that....
please log in to view this image Pitch update: not the best, a bit patchy in places, but certainly not the worst we've seen this season
TEAM v @WatfordFC | Blackman; Olosunde, Ihiekwe, A.MacDonald, Wood (C), Wiles; S.MacDonald, Barlaser, Crooks; Smith, Ladapo. SUBS | Johansson, Harding, Hull, Giles, Sadlier, Gratton, Jozefzoon, Hirst.
Conversations with the guy from the local radio station earlier suggests they aren't confident of getting anything tonight - he said anything less than a cricket score would be a bonus. He actually suggested that Rotherham would have not played this evening if it were possible. Sounds like they're writing it off very early. WO
In other news: Daniel Bachmann has been called up to the Austrian national team for next week's World Cup qualifiers and could make his senior debut against Scotland - his last involvement for the national team was in 2017 when he was an unused sub against Moldova
