This Saturday Gianfranco Zola's Watford FC travel to Pride Park to play Nigel Clough's Derby County in the fourth Championship tie of the season. Derby have had a week to prepare for this game due to them being knocked out of the COCup in the first round by S****horpe in a thrilling 5-5 draw that resulted Derby losing on penalties. Watford played Bradford City in the cup during the week and lost 2-1 to the league 2 side after two late goals cancelled out Ikiechi Anya's first goal for the Hornet's which he scored in front of the Rookery. Derby have picked up 2 points from their opening three games drawing with Wolves and Sheffield Wednesday and currently sit in 21st place, of course it is too early in the season for this to matter as Watford are currently in the play off places with 6 points. After the impressive win over Birmingham last week live on Sky, it is safe to say that some of the Watford's fans had heightened expectations of the club. On Tuesday night it almost came crashing to the ground after a second string side were knocked out of the Capital One Cup by Bradford City. The game saw Geoffrey Mujangi Bia and Ikechi Anya their home debuts supporting Steve Leo Beleck who also made his first start for the club. Johnathon Bond started in goal for the Hornet's and had a good game making some very good saves and having no chance with either of Bradford's goals. The back three of Adam Thompson, Martin Taylor and Carl ****inson had solid games but at times struggled with the passing game. Lee Hodson played the game as a wing back but struggled to get forward. Craig Forsyth had a decent game operating as a left wing back and got forward well and put in some decent crosses. Jonathon Hogg and Ross Jenins completed the line up with Jenkins playing a creative role. Marco Cassetti is set to make his league debut for the Hornet's after signing on a season long loan from Udinese filling for either Lloyd Doyley or Lee Hodson at right back. Mujangi Bia didn't look particularly fit and I expect he won't play much of a part on Saturday. After a decent game against Bradford I can see Anya being involved with the match day squad or even in the starting 11. Derby news to follow. Ex Hornet Theo Robinson is in contention to start against Watford after scoring a 90th minute equaliser against Wolves. Predicted Line Ups: Watford: Almunia Cassetti Nosworthy Taylor Pudil Hogg Abdi Murray Anya Iwleumo Vydra Subs: Bond, Doyley, Thompson, Forsyth, Yeates, Bia, Beleck. Derby County: Fielding Brayford Roberts Keogh O'Connor Bryson Coutts Hendrick Hughes Ward Sammon Subs: Legzdins, Gjokaj, Freeman, Jacobs, Tyson, Robinson, Doyle Score Prediction: 2-2
The fixtures have been very kind to Watford so far, and I see Derby as one of the bottom half table teams. Palace are bottom, Ipswich were thumped 6-0 and Birmingham have lost all but one match and look like they are playing to get rid of the manager. Derby are close knit though and there is a good team spirit, so it will be a difficult game. It's a tough one to call, but I'll say a draw or a narrow defeat.
I'd stick with the XI that played vs Birmingham tbh. Almunia; Doyley, Taylor, Nosworthy, Pudil; Hogg, Abdi, Yeates; Murray, Iwelumo, Vydra Bench: Bond, Cassetti, Hodson, Thompson, Anya, M'Bia, Beleck
Wish I could have gone to this, but unfortunately I can't. Expecting a result and a good performance. Think prentice (now SM#16?!) is right, stick to the Birmingham. COYH's!
i fink wfc will win comfortably, very comfortably -and had a bet on it as well one two three four listen to da watford roar yella army, yella army up da chels...
I reckon we will win 3-0 here, very optimistic about this game. Starting XI; Almunia, Doyley, Taylor, Nosworthy, Pudil, Hogg, Yeates, Abdi, Murray, Iwelumo, Vydra Subs; Bond, Cassetti, Fanchone, Bennett, Battochio, Anya, Beleck
On paper, we have a much stronger team. Then, on paper we also had a much stronger team than Bradford.
It's really hard to predict the squad for saturday when we don't know who will come in but my team based on who I expect to come in: Almunia Doyley Cassetti Taylor Pudil Hogg Abdi Yeates Vydra Iwelumo Murray Subs: Bond Angella Fanchone Battocchio Anya M'bia Beleck
so your saying you would drop nosworthy completely for 3 players who are at this point not even officially confirmed as being at the club? nosworthy has been nothing short of outstanding since joining us, blimey i mean we've only lost 8 games since he joined on last season on loan and you want to drop him?
In fairness, in terms of adjusting to the new system under Zola, Taylor has become more comfortable than Nos. Not saying i'd drop him, but I wouldn't be surprised if Cassetti was to come in
my starting 11 for what its worth, in a 4-3-3. Almunia Doyley Taylor Nosworthy Pudil Abdi Hogg Yeates Murray Iwelumo Vydra subs: Bond, Cassetti, ****inson, Eustace (if fit), Anya, Beleck, Hodson
Almunia Casetti Nos Taylor Pudil Hogg Abdi Yeates Murray Iwelumo Vydra Subs Bond Mbia (if fit) Beleck Anya Hodson Doyley Jenkins Even if we sign Fanchone Batocchi and maybe the other 3 were linked with I can't imagine any being available till after the international break. I would hope that after the break everybody will be fit (apart from Hall who may have to be put down) and raring to go. COYGB:biggrin:
Taylor has been far better this season, Nosworthy has looked uncomfortable. Obviously if those players don't sign then Nosworthy would make my squad
Nosworthy has looked a little uncomfortable and shakey at times when in posession so far this season, perhaps it's a bit too soon to throw Cassetti in. If I were Zola, i wouldn't change the winning team from Saturday vs Brum, however despite Yeates' good performances in the last couple of games, he could replace him with Anya who offers more pace and skill. Predicted XI: -----------Almunia---------------- Pudil---Taylor---Nosworthy---Doyley ------Yeates---Hogg---Abdi------ Murray-----------------------Anya -----------Iwelumo---------------
Absolutely no need to change the starting 11 from the team that passed Brum off the pitch last week. I have a good feeling about the game this Saturday, which is in stark contrast to Ip****. 3-1 to the 'Orns.
