On April 4th, these two Titans of the EPL clash for the second time this season at the Vicarage Road Stadium in Watford, London, in a game which is likely to both amaze and excite. Earlier in the season, in the reverse fixture, I simply can't recall the outcome, which must mean Watford lost, because our victories have been so sparse, that even a win against non-league, part timers, Burton Menswear was celebrated as a turning point by our desperately optimistic fans. I'm writing this early, because I want to get it out of the way, like the rest of this season. It's nothing to look forward to. Watford seem to plumb new depths of despicable direness every week, whilst West Brom will probably be in the Champions League places by the time we play them, as they have quietly gone about their season by being slightly less **** than every team in the Premier League, except Chelsea, Spurs and Everton. Simply by being "decent" they have risen to the cream of the Best League in the World, showing that the quality in England's showpiece division is as deep as the Pond outside Kudos. West Brom men to watch: Robert Earnshaw - pacy, Welsh striker who has scored at every level of English football. Expect him to cause problems for our aged and cumbersome centre backs, who are all, seemingly as old, slow and **** as each other. Kevin Kilbane - Utility danger man who can play anywhere down the left side. We will likely line up with either injured and **** Janmaat at RB, or will have a slow, aged, cumbersome and **** centre back filling in, so Kilbane will have a field day. Hal Robson-Kanu - Son of the legendary N****u, Hal is famous for scoring one goal for Wales and making everyone believe he was good, when he was, in fact, ****. Solomon Rondon - Muscular Venetian striker who was born on a Monday, Christened on Tuesday, Married on Wednesday, Took Ill on Thursday, and is expected to take a late fitness test before the fixture with Watford, which isn't on a Saturday. Watford's likely line up: Gomes will likely start in goal, with 4, ****, slow, cumbersome, elderly centre halves in front of him, offering all the mobility and ball skills of a group of concrete bollards. Midfield will probably have Valon Behrami playing with a cast on his leg, Ettiene Capoue playing despite him bringing an airfix kit onto the pitch to pass the time, as he's already bored of this season and football in general and finally lovely Tom Cleverley, who will try his very hardest. The forwards will be made up of M'Baye, Niange, who will irritate Capoue by trying to get involved with his modelling, as he's realised Watford is not in London and that he can play for someone better than us, without trying, Deeney, who will be 6lbs heavier after using the international break to bulk up with a pure chips diet and finally Nordin Amrabat, who will be completely unfit, but is still deemed fitter than Isaac Success, who is being eased back slowly into football, over a period of 2-3 seasons. Watford will lose. Fans will boo. Mazzarri will blame the ref or Success for the defeat. Architecture: Local Legends - A Selection of players who became fans' favourites at both the Hawthorns and The Vicarage Road Stadium: Mel Rees - played 3 League Games for the Watford Hornets and also featured for the Baggy Boys. James Reid - Pre WW1, his 7 goals in 16 games for WFC were critical in our Southern League Campaign, before the big boys of the Tottenham Spurs came knocking. He later played for New Brompton, who eventually became West Brompton Albion when they merged with West Ham and the Albion George Reilly - Legendary Watford target man, remembered for his FA Cup exploits in '84, who later had an ear bitten off by a mental, grudge-bearing Plymouth fan, who spent 3 seasons with Bromwhich Baggies (Reilly, that is, not the aurophagic Devonian). Chris Baird - Right back who was on loan with us from Southampton a few years ago. His brother used to sit next to me in the old East Stand and after every Watford free kick or corner would berate the taker with the refrain, "You've got to beat the first man you ****!' Wise words. He also played for West Brom. I presume they took more note of this wisdom, since their dead ball accuracy is far better than ours.
Played for both also Brian Talbot Ben Foster Alan Nyon James Chambers Craig Beattie Kevin Phillips Paul Robinson Nathan Ellington (sorry) Ben Watson (on loan to WBA)
There's something special about the atmosphere as we labour to a narrow but deserved defeat under the lights.
I'm going to be away, so I'll miss it. Gutted. But not as gutted as I usually am about missing a home match. And I won't be able to go to White Hart Lane either, which will be a bonus. Did I mention that I wish Joker was still here?
Not sure what I'm looking forward to most - their first corner of the game, where we will line up like statues on the edge of the 6 yard box whilst Evans, McAuley and other assorted giants get a free 10 yard run up to attack the ball, or Allan Nyom's inevitable Man of the Match performance.
Love the 'couldn't care a t*ss' bravado Meister (what happened to your Horn btw -poachers?) but we all know deep down you're a softee and you care a lot, especially after we lose to the revitalised Defoe inspired black cats. See, even I'm being affected by the general malaise of gloom on here. As reported elsewhere the Daily Mail says Mr Mazzari will be undergoing intense English lessons this summer, so he's definitely staying cos the Mail never lies. So hope that cheers everyone up ... the sun is shining and summer will soon be here
WBA fans are planning 'Allan Nyom day" with masks and songs etc. https://www.facebook.com/wbafcaways....1490611923./2232585936965573/?type=3&theater
I won't be at this one as I've double-booked myself with gig tickets in London. If we win I'll consider it taking one for the team.
When I first read that I missed the "it" - thought it sounded potentially very painful and a brave call on your part.
Having watched them beat Arsenal the other week I would like to think that we have been practicing defending corners.
Is it fair to assume that you are expecting the Sunderland match to be the sparkling game of the season, nay decade, and are leaving us all tantalised by the prospect of an optimistic preview for that game ?
After Nyom deliberately gloated after the WBA third goal at the Hawthorns by spitting towards not once but twice at the Watford away fans as well as showing his arris before running off down the tunnel at the final whistle to avoid any contact with any Watford player, the question is, what reception will he get, do our players remember and care, and will it all kick off?? Clearly bad blood there.
He apologised on social media a couple of days later, but he definitely burnt some bridges there. Expect the loudest booing for a returning player since Lee Cook or David Connolly.
He got stupid dog's abuse from our lot for the entire match. In hindsight, his reaction when their third goal went in was highly amusing. Not that I thought so at the time ...
I did think so at the time! I was literally laughing out loud as I walked out of The Hawthorns (admittedly as soon as it happened). That actually made up for the loss quite considerably.
I guess this time round we can sing 'He left cos we're ****, he left cos we're ****, Alan Nyom, left cos we're ****'
It saddens me that a futile African who played for us for 1 season is a boo boy these days. I long for the days where Lee Cook played for the opposition. That was a true boo boy.
Definition of futile: Incapable of producing any result; ineffective; useless; not successful; unimportant. Definition of African: Something that comes from the Continent of Africa. Isnt that a pretty good description?