I've never done one of these before, so please do not berate me to much. Heck I am not even sure if I am allowed to do this, but I love reading these pre match thread introductions done so brilliantly by other members I thought I'd give it a shot. History Vs Chelsea: 14 Mar 1970 Chelsea v Watford L 5-1 FA Cup 22 Sep 1979 Chelsea v Watford L 2-0 League Division Two 09 Feb 1980 Watford v Chelsea L 2-3 League Division Two 27 Sep 1980 Watford v Chelsea L 2-3 League Division Two 21 Feb 1981 Chelsea v Watford W 0-1 League Division Two 12 Sep 1981 Chelsea v Watford W 1-3 League Division Two 06 Feb 1982 Watford v Chelsea W 1-0 League Division Two 13 Oct 1984 Chelsea v Watford W 2-3 League Division One 16 Mar 1985 Watford v Chelsea L 1-3 League Division One 28 Sep 1985 Watford v Chelsea W 3-1 League Division One 05 May 1986 Chelsea v Watford W 1-5 League Division One 01 Nov 1986 Chelsea v Watford D 0-0 League Division One 01 Feb 1987 Watford v Chelsea W 1-0 FA Cup 14 Apr 1987 Watford v Chelsea W 3-1 League Division One 26 Sep 1987 Watford v Chelsea L 0-3 League Division One 29 Mar 1988 Chelsea v Watford D 1-1 League Division One 05 Nov 1988 Watford v Chelsea L 1-2 League Division Two 11 Mar 1989 Chelsea v Watford D 2-2 League Division Two 18 Sep 1999 Watford v Chelsea W 1-0 Premier League 26 Feb 2000 Chelsea v Watford L 2-1 Premier League 03 Jan 2004 Watford v Chelsea D 2-2 FA Cup 14 Jan 2004 Chelsea v Watford L 4-0 FA Cup 11 Nov 2006 Chelsea v Watford L 4-0 Premier League 31 Mar 2007 Watford v Chelsea L 0-1 Premier League 14 Feb 2009 Watford v Chelsea L 1-3 FA Cup 03 Jan 2010 Chelsea v Watford L 5-0 FA Cup 04 Jan 2015 Chelsea v Watford L 3-0 FA Cup 26 Dec 2015 Chelsea v Watford D 2-2 Premier League 03 Feb 2016 Watford v Chelsea D 0-0 Premier League 20 Aug 2016 Watford v Chelsea L 1-2 Premier League Thoughts on the opposition: Chelsea must love playing us over recent years as they always get one over on us. I had the pleasure of being at Vicarage Road in 1999 when Allan Smart scored the winner - our one of only six wins that season, but hey we did beat Liverpool at Anfield too! Also, last season we played pretty well against them and were unlucky not to win at the Bridge. This season however they are a team transformed from the state they were last season - scoring goals for fun and winning the league with two games to spare. Very impressive, and boasting the talent of players we could only dream of signing. Ake, was on our books not to long ago and IMHO we do miss his presence on the field. They have probably one of the best managers in Antonio Conte, a man who knows about getting results. Since he altered their playing formation earlier in the season, they have adopted to it, and got results in games they haven't overall played well in. Thoughts on our chances: I am going to practical here. We have an awful away form at present. could not hit a barn door with a banjo sized football in scoring a goal away either - despite playing OK for periods at Goodison Park. I really do not think the players are going to be "up for this" as much as I would want them to be either, and Maz will say "Keep it at 1-0 if they score". What scares me the most, is IF we score first... OMG that's terrifiying and no Watford fan should be thinking like this. I keep thinking back to the West Ham game at home when we scored after 3 minutes then let them come at us for most of it. Playing "hoof ball" football is going to work in Chelsea's favour as they are good on the counter. We are going to defend for our lives dependent on what team they put out. I would love us to go 4-4-2 but it's gonna be 3-5-2. Success to start please, Deeney as a sub if we are losing 1-0 in 87 mins to score a wonder goal of an equaliser from the half way line!! My Prediction (HEART): Chelsea 1 Watford 1 My Prediction (HEAD): Chelsea 2 Watford 0 Even if we lose, we still have Man City to get that point, so to whoever goes have a great time and sing your hearts out. Again, I hope I did the post match justice, I do not know how to post images so sorry about that. Ada xX
Good effort! Going to this, don't know why though. Looking forward to Holebas kicking Costa during the guard of honour.
Anyone have any suggestions for avoiding the chaos and queues at Fulham Broadway station after the game (not leaving early) - when I was younger I seem to recall walking up to Earls Court, but that was an afternoon game ...
On the toolbar thingy there is an icon that looks like a landscape postcard type thing (next to the smiley face) Click on that and enter the URL of the pic. The one to the right of that is the same thing but for video clips. PS Our record in the 1980's at Stamford bridge must have been unparalleled. Four victories on the trot (i was at them all ) followed by a few draws. We went unbeaten there during the entire decade. Different story since though as we've only managed the solitary draw in 6 attempts.
We've skipped the Palace vs Hull match thread? On topic: Can't see Chelsea turning up drunk to this so I expect to get beaten. Would take a positive performance and 2-0.
Earls Court. It's easier because the queues are so long at Fulham Broadway after the match and the roads are effed so buses are useless (unless you get the 391 towards Chiswick and stop off at Kensington Olympia for the Overground back to Watford). Earls Court is the best because it's only a 10 minute walk and the train from Fulham Broadway has to go to Earls anyway
I'm not giving my prediction until someone gives me the odds on it first. Also can we make sure we turn this thread into another relegation/Everton thread, that way we stay with the theme of every thread sounding the same after page 1. I don't like being confused and I get confused trying to sit in the corner of a round room very easily. So all threads need to be the same. Thanks
Any tips on pre-match drinking? I've seen the Courtfield Tavern right outside Earl's Court station recommended ...
Use the southern service to Brompton (watford junction, change at Willesden Junction) There's a cracking little pub on the walk down from the station, the Finborough Arms I think it's called
Should be a good night. Unless you have a personal beef against Chelsea, will be a good atmosphere as the Premier League champions are acclaimed by their supporters. I would like us to be set up for the win rather than a draw. The result has little impact on our finish position, it will 16th or 17th. Walter will be off if he gets an offer from Italy, he obviously is not comfortable at Watford, and as the owners will probably have made up their minds rega dress of the last few games, going gung ho in this one and the Man City game won't have any dramatic impact if it backfires pectacularly
Chelski relax play exhibition football, Watford play out of our skins -> 1-1 Chelski put on a real show as Champions, Watford on the beach, couldn't give a sh!t -> 4-0 Chelski champions, Watford remain in EPL -> everyone pissed as a newt ->Group hug all fans celebrate
Yes, start drinking early, drink plenty, pass out, miss the game and don't bother checking what the result was.
Will we even get a mention in the build-up to the game outside of a name check of being the opposition on the night?
No but they do have Klopp coming on to talk about Liverpool and their chances next year of being champions for an hour.
Sitting in the Chelsea end for this one as a friend of mine has offered me a seat. Don’t know how I am going to contain myself when we score.
I am not expecting anything points wise from tonight, but I hope we at least play well and show some spirit and fight, I would be happy with that, however a point or three would be even better of course
There is absolutely no reason not to go and try and play with a bit more adventure tonight. Chelsea are champions and will probably want to put on a bit of a performance a few ole’s etc. so will probably play well being the best team in the country and with nothing to lose they will most likely play with a bit of arrogance to show why they are champions and players showing why they should play at Wembley in a few weeks especially if he gives a few fringe players like Michy/Chalobah/Ake a run out. Hopefully they are hungover but I suspect Conte won’t let them drop their levels especially with an FA cup to come. If I was Maz though I’d think I’m not going to learn anything from us trying to sit back and defend and eventually lose anyway so why not challenge the side to be brave and have a bit of adventure going forward, I know it’s not easy to change mentality suddenly but if we can give the Champions a run for their money the confidence it could give us, though there is the flip side if they absolutely spank us then it’ll of course do nothing for the mood. I’m just hoping for an entertaining match really, it seems like it’s been a long while since, I imagine we will just be a footnote for the evening as everyone sings the champions praises and rightly so but hopefully we can dampen their party spirit a little.
We are going to be well beaten tonight. Not much we can do. Chelsea will go 2 or 3 up and then start toying with us like a kitten chasing a string. Crowd will start their party mid way through the 2nd half. Hope I am wrong.
I think they'll be putting out a much weaker side than usual, fringe players and youth, should be able to avoid double figures.
Tonight could be an absolute bloodbath, particularly if our forward players are on song. Aidy has been saying for a few weeks that we are due to give someone a hiding and it could well be tonight. Recent performances have been disappointing but the return of Micah Hyde (as expected tonight) should really add some zip to the central areas. Don't know a lot about the opposition and in all honesty, I don't think it's important as this 'should be' Watford's game regardless. I don't like making predictions, but I'm particularly confident tonight so I'll go: Chelsea 1-6 Watford Babayaro; Smith (2), Priskin, Henderson, M Taylor, Abdi Disclaimer: I lost interest in this season many weeks ago and so may have fictionalised elements in my mind to keep it interesting.
Apparently Kante is back for them tonight , but we ve got Cleverley back too, so that pretty much evens itself out.
This is only going to go one way for me - and not a good way. If the players had been 'on the beach' since before Easter, the fact that we're officially up leads me to think this will be considerably exacerbated. Would love to be proven wrong, but can't see it. This could go anywhere between 3 to 5-0 to them, honestly. I can't see us even bothering to show up. I wouldn't be surprised if Etienne jogged over to Mazzarri after about 60 minutes and said "yeah, I think I'm going to shoot off now; I have to be up in the morning so can't have a late one".
Not looking forward to tonight i think we could be in for a big defeat Chelsea will have no pressure and the way they have played the last couple of months will rip us a new one (mind you i felt the same going to Arsenal)on the plus side it is only a 20-30 min walk to Stanford Bridge for me