please log in to view this image V please log in to view this image please log in to view this image Callum O'Dowda gets the better of Will Hughes at The Vic in August. Bristol City surprised an under strength Hornets in the League Cup, the 3-2 scoreline unflattering to an impressive Robins display. FA Cup Head to Head 23 Jan 1932 Watford v Bristol City W 2-1 FA Cup 04 Jan 2014 Bristol City v Watford D 1-1 FA Cup 14 Jan 2014 Watford v Bristol City W 2-0 FA Cup Last Time We Met League Cup 2nd Round: 22nd August 2017 Watford 2-3 Bristol City Goals: Etienne Capoue 47 Freddie Hinds 59 Bobby Reid 67 Niclas Eliasson 90 Adrian Mariappa 90 +3 Current Form 20 Dec 2017 Bristol City v Manchester United W 2-1 League Cup 23 Dec 2017 Queens Park Rangers v Bristol City D 1-1 League Championship 26 Dec 2017 Bristol City v Reading W 2-0 League Championship 30 Dec 2017 Bristol City v Wolverhampton Wanderers L 1-2 League Championship 01 Jan 2018 Aston Villa v Bristol City L 5-0 League Championship Opposition Briefing Lee Johnson's side have surprised many with their lofty position of 4th in the Championship some 14 points behind the runaway leaders (I'm sure I'm not alone in hoping that particular dog goes lame sooner rather than later) and in a peloton of eight clubs within three wins of second place. They are one of four clubs to hit 40 league goals. Their match day squad regularly boasts 15 Englishmen, no mean feat in today's international times. However it is in the League Cup where they truly shined dispatching Watford, Crystal Palace, Stoke City and Manchester United to the tune of 11-4 overall. All this, after demolishing south west rivals Plymouth Argyll 5-0 in the 1st round, leaves them facing Manchester City over two legs for the prize of a trip to Wembley. Lee Johnson has a reputation for bringing a mix of old fashioned values, modern day coaching methods and - according to his Dad, former Bristol City manager, Watford professional and Malmö FF player and Hornets Director of Youth Academy Gary Johnson (had to get that in) in a 5Live interview last week - he has "an app for everything, it's all on his phone and tablet". This sees them continue a tough run of fixtures in January with Manchester City (A) midweek; Norwich City (H) next Saturday; 2nd placed Derby (A); Manchester City (H) and QPR (H). JAMIE MCALLISTER - The assistant head coach is looking forward to Saturday's FA Cup game, describing it as a "great competition" - The squad have been given three days off this week, which is thought to benefit them physically as well as mentally - McAllister reiterates Lee Johnson's post-Aston Villa comments, with regards to changes being made to the starting XI on Saturday - The players who get selected have a chance to demonstrate what they can do and show that they should be playing week in, week out - All of the attention is being put into Watford, the team aren't getting carried away with fixtures in the near future - The club want to advance into the fourth round and will do everything they can to progress - McAllister has been overwhelmed by the travelling support this season and hopes the 1,200-plus supporters making the trip to Vicarage Road can return to Bristol with the desired result Team News Cut and paste from the BBC Sport site... insightful Troy Deeney could return for Watford against Bristol City having served a four-game ban for a red card against Huddersfield Town on 16 December. Kiko Femenia, Will Hughes, Younes Kaboul, Miguel Britos, Craig Cathcart, Nathaniel Chalobah and Isaac Success all remain out injured for the Hornets. Bristol City boss Lee Johnson has promised to make several changes. Cauley Woodrow, Matty Taylor and Niclas Eliasson are among the fringe players set to start for the Championship side. Fez Sez After their August victory here and thus far 100% record against Premier League opposition they will doubtless fancy their chances to add to their already swollen fixture list given our recent poor form. For Marco Silva it's stick or twist: put out the same match day squad or give the fringe players a go. Deeney is available after suspension and should start. Richarlison could do with a rest. A tough one to call but I think the Hornets will be up to the task, not before putting us home fans through the mill first, and only after a replay. Wherever you are in the world, enjoy the game! YOOOOUUUUU HOOOORRRRNNNNSSSS
Good luck to the Golden Boys, I don't need to tell you how dangerous they can be, but I'm sure you will overcome them this time!
We haven't met the referee too often, and surprisingly he has never set off a Watford player. http://www.worldfootball.net/referee_summary/craig-pawson/watford-fc/4/
My step dad is a massive d______d and a BC fan. Needless to say, Watford need to 'ammer 'em. I do see the bigger picture of giving some a rest mind, not usually, but with injuries, our league form and two big games coming up against fellow struggllers, well sandwiched between Leicester. Who bets Hughes goes before we play them? Anyways, it's good to have a cup run, we owe them one too.
Yes I tend to agree. Deeney and Pereyra to come in for example and even Success? Probably Capoue too.
Sorry to disagree Yorkie. I may be alone in this but I want us to play our strongest team and play with the intensity of a league game. Winning is a habit, and I want us to get back into it. The other thing is that I may be old fashioned here but the FA Cup still has a special importance for me and the cup competitions are the only possibility of ever putting something in our trophy cupboard - this may not be important to the Pozzo's but it is for the fans.
I hope that we don't put out a team that looks as if they are complete strangers. I would love a final against Everton with a win for me and GT.
Am currently in the Premier Inn at Southampton before attending the funeral of a much loved friend tomorrow. I have just had a light bulb moment realising that I am not far from Bristol. I fly back Friday night, probably would not have got a ticket. Duh.
Cheers, Fez. News I have from Mrs Andy, who was allowed to sleep next to him, is that he’s coming home this morning. Pain has stopped. That’s all I know at the mo’.
