please log in to view this image WATFORD v FULHAM please log in to view this image Venue: Vicarage Road Date: 3rd February 2015 Time: 19.45 GMT In the days before players came from all over the world to kick a ball around, it was quite normal for local players to get a chance with their nearest team. So it was for the player who connects our two clubs playing this game. Born in Hemel Hempstead in 1931 he played for Hertfordshire schools and then Berkhampstead Town before signing for Watford as an amateur in 1952 and a professional a year later. As a small lad peering through the railings around the dog track, Maurice Cook was one of my first heros. A bustling striker with a nose for goal, Maurice Cook’s contribution was often underrated. He was strong, direct and brave, an old-fashioned centre-forward who made up for a lack of speed and control with his total commitment. Cook was a very versatile player for Watford, playing in every position except half-back. He missed only three matches in almost five seasons and scored 77 goals in 218 appearances for the Hornets. He was sold to Fulham for a record £15,000in 1958 where he played until 1965, scoring 89 goals. Cook died on 31st December 2006, aged 75. Coincidentally and somewhat fittingly, Fulham hosted Watford in a league match at the Cottage the following day, where both sets of supporters observed a minute's silence in his honour. Now for the current season and yet another game that will have a bearing on where both teams finish. Watford won the earlier meeting this season 5-0 at Craven Cottage in December - their first win in seven meetings in all competitions between the two teams. Fulham are unbeaten in the last three meetings at Vicarage Road in all competitions, winning once. Watford's last win at home was 2-0 in the old Division Two in October 1997. Watford Watford have won five of their last six games, losing the other. Their only defeat since January was 3-0 against Norwich at home on 21 February. The Hornets have won four of their last five games at Vicarage Road, losing the other. Fulham Fulham won 2-0 against Derby at home on Saturday - their first win in nine games in all competitions. The Cottagers have lost five of their last six away games in the Championship, drawing the other. Their last league win on the road was 1-0 at Leeds on 13 December. Team News: Watford: Odion Ighalo could return for Watford after missing the win at Leeds on Saturday with a tight hamstring. However would we want Vydra dropped back to the bench? Adlene Guedioura will also be added to the squad after the midfielder rejoined Watford on loan from Crystal Palace. Joel Ekstrand is doubtful following his early departure from the game at Leeds. Fulham: Hugo Rodellega is set to return after a leg injury but Lasse Vigen Christensen is likely to miss out with a hamstring problem. Rodallega's replacement, Cauley Woodrow, scored against Derby at the weekend and could yet keep his place. Referee for the game is: Trevor Kettle from Leicestershire. Kettle refereed the Hornets once last season, which came in the Golden Boys 3-3 away draw with Leeds United. The Leicestershire official has officiated 12 matches this season, 3 of which have been in the Championship, handing out 33 yellow cards and 0 red. please log in to view this image Linesman - Stuart Butler and Adam Crysell. Fourth Official – Stephen Martin. Current Table 1 Derby 34 31 65 2 Middlesbrough 34 26 63 3 Norwich 34 29 62 4 Watford 34 27 62 5 Bournemouth 34 30 60 6 Ipswich 34 18 60 19 Fulham 34 -12 39 Wherever You Are In The World Enjoy The Game
An interesting poll in the WO about who should start the game up front tomorrow. The voting at present is:- Troy Deeney and Odion Ighalo: please log in to view this image 14% Troy Deeney and Matej Vydra: please log in to view this image 58% Matej Vydra and Odion Ighalo: please log in to view this image 3% Deeney and Ighalo, with Vydra behind: please log in to view this image 23% Other: please log in to view this image 2%
I'd be inclined to give Iggy a bit more of a rest and put him on the bench. Start with TD and MV, bring on Iggy if we need to.
That was my thinking when I voted. I also think that Vydra is a confidence player and should be given the chance to show that Saturday was not a one off.
Hi OFH, I don't recall seeing Maurice Cook play but I do remember him well as the landlord of the Oddfellows in Apsley. A very genial guy.
Super, he was a nice guy all round. In those days players had no security from the game, so many did finish up as landlords
Nice one OFH. Do not remember. Cook, maybe before my time. Maybe vydra and iggy to start to give. Troy a rest?
SJ's right. Time to get behind the team... http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sp..._show_their_belief_in_Hornets__promotion_bid/ COYH
Personally I would like to see Troy and Matej start with Odion Ighalo as an impact substitute, though how I see it and how Slavisa Jokanovic does are likely to be poles apart, and after all he is the boss. The main aim is to win, just to keep up with the three ahead of us. A good win would be a bonus. Fulham will, especially after Saturday, be a completely different proposition to the one we faced three months ago.
Cannot disagree with any of that Zen. It's great now though - every game is more important than the last one we played - long may it continue!
Maybe it's the dreech, very un-South Texas like weather over the last few days affecting my mood. But I have a nagging feeling we are not going to get a favourable result from this one. Of course I am more than happy to be proved a numpty.
I watched the highlights of the last Fulham game and was surprised at how good they looked considering their league position. They were playing the fast breaking out of defence game, often with four or five players getting from one end of the pitch to the other. I do not think we should take them lightly, although away from the Cottage they have a bad record. We are getting to that stage of the season where teams near the wrong end of the table start to fight that bit harder.
I bet the Derby were expecting a fairly straight forward win against Fulham. Hopefully their result will reduce any complacency we may have had. I understand your fears Saxet. I have supported Watford too long not to have a degree of pessimism about games like this. We talk about other teams going through a bad patch which will help us but I always have a nagging fear that we could go through another run of four games without a victory. I suspect that it is going to be like this for at least the next twelve, fourteen or fifteen matches.
Thanks for the thread OFH. I think fulham will be a tough game, after their recent win against Derby they must be confident. However, they hadn´t won in the previous six games. I wonder if Kiraly will wear jogging bottoms again, ja joke for a keeper! Now for the Ighalo, Deeney, vydra conundrum? Three´s a crowd but 41 goals between them! How can you justify benching the leading goal scorer? How can you bench the two goal hero from the last game? How can you bench the captain and second leading scorer? I have no idea how to fit 3 into 2 positions. Only two can play from the three though, the balance wouldn´t be right otherwise. Bring back Iwelumo and Garner, problem solved!
It´s getting to that time of the season to look at other fixtures and hope too! B´mouth - Wolves Brentford - Huddersfield Brighton - Derby Charlton - Nottm Forest M´brough - Millwall R´ham - Cardiff Bolton - Reading WED 4 MAR 2015 B´ham - Blackpool Leeds - Ipswich Norwich - Wigan SheffW - Blackburn
i agree it give a message that anyone that works hard and and once they get in if they perform they keep there place
Not sure if Dave Whelan has helped or hindered us for tomorrow night! Please stuff Fulham, they are one of our bogey teams!
