20/3/2012 Championship Bristol City 0-2 WFC

[domthehornet]

On Tuesday Watford travel down to Ashton Gate to play Bristol City in a NPower Championship game. Both teams come into the game on the back of 0-0 draws, Watford played Coventry and Bristol City played struggling Pompey. A few good points from the 0-0 draw with Coventry is that Britt Assombalonga became the 50th academy player to play for the Hornets since 1998 when Harefield was renovated. Another good point was that Tomasz Kuszczak kept his first clean sheet for the Hornets since he signed on loan from Manchester United in January. Last season when Watford visited Ashton Gate Watford won the encounter 2-0 and earlier this season the reverse fixture was a 2-2 draw at Vicarage Road with Carl Dickinson and Craig Beattie, who scored his one and only goal for the Hornets, scoring for the Hornets and Marvin Elliot and Marriappa (OG) scoring for the Robins after a Loach mistake.

Watford will again be without Dale Bennett who is still recovering from concussion against West Ham, they will also be without Stephen McGinn who is still on the road to recovery from the injury that has kept him out of the game for well over a year. It is not known whether Alex Kacaniklic is fit to play after suffering a knock to his knee in the draw against Coventry. Lee Hodson also may be a doubt as it is not known whether he has recovered from the illness that has kept him out for the past couple of games. Watford will also be without Gavin Massey as he has returned on loan to Colchester until the 14th of April. Apart from these omissions there are no new injury concerns for Sean Dyche.

Bristol City lie 13 points and 5 places below the Hornets in 21st place having played the same amount of games. Ex-Watford keeper David James will be in the sticks on Tuesday. More team news to follow. Bristol City's danger man appears to be Albert Adamoah who has scored 5 league goals this season and always poses a threat.

Predicted Starting XI:

Watford:

Kuszczak
Doyley
Marriappa
Nosworthy
Dickinson
Murray
Eustace
Hogg
Kacaniklic
Deeney
Garner

Subs: Loach, Taylor, Yeates, Iwelumo, Assombalonga.

Bristol City:

James
McAllister
Fontaine
Carey
Foster
McManus
Cisse
Adomah
Pearson
Stead
Pitman

Subs: Gerken, McGivern, Kilkenny, Woolford, Wood.

Officials: TBA

Score Prediction: 2-1 to the Hornets, I hope we win this and I hope Dyche gave the team a talking to after a lacklustre performance against Coventry. Again I would settle for a point at Ashton Gate.

[With A Smile]

I think Iwelumo will probably start away from home with some of the quicker players coming on later in the game.

very winnable and a chance to pass the 50 point mark

[The Hornet]

Stuck and published on home page.

I'm going for a 2-0 win to the orns' with a goal from Emu!!!

[NemoNemo]

I would start with Iwelumo up front with Deeney and if Kacanicklic isn't fit, I'd play Assombalonga in his place. I'd also replace Hogg with Buaben so he could have a rest and potentially have a look from the sidelines at the way Eustace runs into space and try to understand his midfield partner's play a bit better. Hopefully Hodson is fit again and can regain his place in the starting lineup. I'd bring Garner on for the last 25 mins to replace Iwelumo though replace Assombalonga with Yeates. I'd like to see an appearance from Trotta as well, but doubt he will even make the bench. I predict a 1-1 draw with Bristol City scoring first and Eustace scoring for us.

Starting lineup:

GK - Kuszczak

RB - Hodson
CB - Mariappa
CB - Nosworthy
LB - Doyley

RW - Assombalonga
CM - Eustace
CM - Buaben
LW - Murray

CF - Iwelumo
CF - Deeney

Subs: Loach, Dickinson, Hogg, Yeates, Garner

[Malteser]

This is the ONE match of the season I most want to win! We have a good record at Ashton Gate over recent seasons..but they desperately need the points and see us as one of their winnable games on their run in. Nervous.

[hornetboy1]

This is the ONE match of the season I most want to win! We have a good record at Ashton Gate over recent seasons..but they desperately need the points and see us as one of their winnable games on their run in. Nervous.

Mate......you've left enough hints and I just have to ask....why do you want us to win this one so much?

[Malteser]

Mate......you've left enough hints and I just have to ask....why do you want us to win this one so much?

You should know! Grew up in the West Country..lots of friends support City! I am flying over for the match

[hornetboy1]

You should know! Grew up in the West Country..lots of friends support City! I am flying over for the match

ok...cool. Have a safe flight and I hope the boys make the trip worthwhile for you.

[Malteser]

Thanks! I hear City's 'best' defender (McManus) has got injured and won't play. Just spoken to a friend from the BBC who has been to the ground to get the team news

[Layton]

Its hard to believe quite how long DJ has been playing , fair play to him

[hornetboy1]

Its hard to believe quite how long DJ has been playing , fair play to him

I was thinking the same. We could have played him in that famous FA Cup semi final against Spurs in 1987. DJ was just 16 then, but I'm sure he would have done better, in hindsight, than Gary Plumley. Just imagine had he not been transferred EVER. He would have been our first team goal keeper for 25 years....lol. Incredible to just imagine that.

[Layton]

it keeps me feeling young seeing DJ still playing football , because i was only 10 in `87!

[Malteser]

I saw him play for us once at Ashton Gate..I think in an Anglo Italian match..Souness was watching him..he made a blunder for the only goal but still signed for Liverpool soon after!

[Nnnn]

Brizzle are doing their very best to get themselves relegated. We will help them achieve their goal by winning 2-1

[Malteser]

Hope so! City have taken just 5 points from 30 I believe. I hear Mapps is a doubt though?

[wfc4ever]

Hope so! City have taken just 5 points from 30 I believe. I hear Mapps is a doubt though?

Ankle knock..Alex K is a doubt too.

[Hornet23]

Stick Tiny in there, problem solved!

[Watfordftw]

I hope Hogg is dropped for this game and replaced by buaben. I think this game is winnable but will end up a 1-1 draw.

[Hornet23]

I know Yeates is likely to start if Alex doesn't but could have John, Hoggy and Prince in centre mid with Sean and Britt either side of Troy?

[El distraído]

Hoping for a lovely 3 points as always. Here's another reason to put on a good performance: https://twitter.com/#!/DannyGraham10

Danny Graham is returning to Vicarage Road! (fortunately not on the opposing team). He's coming to watch us play, the massive legend!