Watford A [PL] 13:30 Sun 1st January 2017

[Dorset]

This could be tough as a tough thing that has been toughened. Watford have only lost one of their last 6 home games, we have only won 1 of our last 6 away games, but to be fair 3 of our last 6 games were Chelsea, Arsenal and United, so my little matey peeps we have already played some of our toughest games this season and we are doing puckerly, so onwards and upwards.

To get a nice run of wins like Chelsea are doing at the moment you have to win 1, then 2, then 3, then more .... we are on our way. Luckily we have quality backups in our defensive lineup like Trippier and Wimmer (he hasn't toddled off back to Germany yet has he?). Hopefully Toby will be back on Sunday and Hugo will stop this faffing about passing out from the box, stop it Hugo, it's not big and it's not clever and it makes me very grumpy!

Let's have a nice start to our happy new year, COYS!

 

[skiathospurs]

Will gomes,catpoo&Kaboul put the mockers on us??nah not quite in Chadli`s class,they lost 2 players vs palace with injury janmaat and berami,but they do have a couple of big lumps up front.Which last year made Poch change to 3 at the back for the 1st time?I think.
Hopefully with eriksen still on form again and Dele finding his,we can smash and grab 3pts here.

 

[skiathospurs]

Mauricio Pochettino revealed that Toby Alderweireld has been suffering from a nasty fever in the last two days and that is why he missed Tottenham Hotspur's 4-1 win over Southampton.

The Belgian international was expected to return to the starting XI after missing the 2-1 win at home to Burnley with a back problem, but was missing from the squad.

Pochettino revealed before the game that it was a virus, and admitted he is not sure if Alderweireld will be back in time for the trip to Watford on New Year's Day.

When asked about Watford, he said: "We hope yes, because today [he] was better.

"He got a virus, was sick, vomiting, and fever in last two days. We hope he will be OK. If not, we are a team , we have a lot of players, better to play and ready and we will see."

 

[skiathospurs]

Walker is suspended for Watford...

 

[Liam]

For the first time since I was about 14 I'm having a quiet NYE as she's ready to pop that baby out anytime now. Better bloody wait til after the game though. I can see us getting a good win here, hopefully Mr Kane can go on a scoring run now like he has the last couple of seasons, and I can see Dele grabbing a few more than the ten he scored last season too.

 

[Rev John Ripsher]

I never go out on NYE nowadays, there is a good event at Brooklands which I go to with a car club.

 

[BigDub]

Walker is suspended for Watford...

Vert and Dembele too.

Pretty sure we played with 3 CBs at Watford last season. That was of course when Deeney and Ighalo were on absolute fire, but with Vert out might Poch still go ahead with Toby, Dier and Wimmer all in the starting 11? It's definitely possible.

I suppose we'll see Winks as well, which I like. He continues to find himself right in the thick of the rotation and it will be nice to see how he pushes on from the couple of positive appearances he's already made. Dembele will be a miss, but between Wanyama and a possible 3 CBs we should be able to account for his absence.

 

[skiathospurs]

Vert and Dembele too.

Pretty sure we played with 3 CBs at Watford last season. That was of course when Deeney and Ighalo were on absolute fire, but with Vert out might Poch still go ahead with Toby, Dier and Wimmer all in the starting 11? It's definitely possible.

I suppose we'll see Winks as well, which I like. He continues to find himself right in the thick of the rotation and it will be nice to see how he pushes on from the couple of positive appearances he's already made. Dembele will be a miss, but between Wanyama and a possible 3 CBs we should be able to account for his absence.

Actually Dier on the right,wimmer on the left with toby centre of the pair sounds good to me,only problem is no walker as the "wing back",as good as he is defensively and crossing Trippier isnt as fast to recover as walker.Kind of does he push forward or sit a bit deeper if thats the case?wanyama sitting infront makes it a decent formation regardless,even if they play either one or both of those big beasts upfront.I thought Dembele wasnt on 5 cards so is available?it was walker the other player who hit 5 cards last night.
I hope Winks gets more chances,he is looking the real deal for retaining the ball and moving it on,with no mean shot as well,Son must also be pushing for a start and sissoko looking better&better,eriksen back on form,dele scoring again,Christ who do we rest??

Hope its not too cold where you are mate,Greece has been frigid since early december,most unusual,not quite as bad as the northern states but not good for a mediterreanian country at all,doesnt snow often here but last night it did.
Glad to see you back !!

 

[BigDub]

Actually Dier on the right,wimmer on the left with toby centre of the pair sounds good to me,only problem is no walker as the "wing back",as good as he is defensively and crossing Trippier isnt as fast to recover as walker.Kind of does he push forward or sit a bit deeper if thats the case?wanyama sitting infront makes it a decent formation regardless,even if they play either one or both of those big beasts upfront.I thought Dembele wasnt on 5 cards so is available?it was walker the other player who hit 5 cards last night.
I hope Winks gets more chances,he is looking the real deal for retaining the ball and moving it on,with no mean shot as well,Son must also be pushing for a start and sissoko looking better&better,eriksen back on form,dele scoring again,Christ who do we rest??

Hope its not too cold where you are mate,Greece has been frigid since early december,most unusual,not quite as bad as the northern states but not good for a mediterreanian country at all,doesnt snow often here but last night it did.
Glad to see you back !!

Hmmm you might be right about Dembele...not completely sure. Even if he's eligible it might be a good time to rest him ahead of Chelsea.

Agreed about attacking midfield options. We're spoiled for choice thanks to Sissoko's improved performances, Son maintaining his consistency and Dele and Eriksen finding their level once again. If Janssen can find the scoring touch as a backup to Kane we'll be just about complete in terms of an attacking setup.

It's been cold as hell here mate. Below freezing for much of the pst couple weeks. It's been about 3c the past few days and that's felt warm as hell. Tells you just how bad it's been. Just waiting for the next big snow. It'll be here before long I'm sure.

 

[skiathospurs]

Hmmm you might be right about Dembele...not completely sure. Even if he's eligible it might be a good time to rest him ahead of Chelsea.

Agreed about attacking midfield options. We're spoiled for choice thanks to Sissoko's improved performances, Son maintaining his consistency and Dele and Eriksen finding their level once again. If Janssen can find the scoring touch as a backup to Kane we'll be just about complete in terms of an attacking setup.

It's been cold as hell here mate. Below freezing for much of the pst couple weeks. It's been about 3c the past few days and that's felt warm as hell. Tells you just how bad it's been. Just waiting for the next big snow. It'll be here before long I'm sure.

Completely forgot Lamela too !!sadly I hope we sell tom carroll this window,not because he is bad but so the lad can get on with life,Winks has (maybe) become the better prospect now,and still edwards to recover from injury and join the squad,he looks the part!!
Its so results driven,that win neither of the next two and some will be calling Poch out again,but we are in a good place even not playing 100% .

 

[Don Diaz]

Will be interesting to see Poch's team selection , I'm sure he has a plan. difficult match which we only squeaked last season, I think we'll get 3 points more easily this season...

Mike Dean to referee please.

 

[boo]

Watford are currently sitting tenth in the league, conceding 30 goals in the process while netting 22 times.

They have hit a bit of a slump in form, winning just one of their last six premier league games (home win against Everton).

They have beaten Manchester United at home this season (3-1) and also last year's champions Leicester City (2-1)

Here is their home form this season so far in the Premier League

Watford 1-1 Crystal Palace
Watford 3-2 Everton
Watford 0-1 Stoke City
Watford 2-1 Leicester City
Watford 1-0 Hull City
Watford 2-2 Bournemouth
Watford 3-1 Manchester United
Watford 1-3 Arsenal
Watford 1-2 Chelsea

 

[Wotspur]

I never go out on NYE nowadays, there is a good event at Brooklands which I go to with a car club.

What car club is that ??? They have 100's of events up there, I go to a few as it's only 2 miles from home. Thst said I've got 1 ticket for Watford, now the dilemma, do I go or do I let my son go ! And watch it in a pub ?

 

[Rev John Ripsher]

What car club is that ??? They have 100's of events up there, I go to a few as it's only 2 miles from home. Thst said I've got 1 ticket for Watford, now the dilemma, do I go or do I let my son go ! And watch it in a pub ?

https://www.brooklandsmuseum.com/whats-on/new-years-day-classic-gathering

Rich, I am not taking either of my classics cos they are both having work done but I will be parking up in MB World and walking across the bridge to Brooklands. I will be with the chaps on the Mercedes-Benz parking area at Brooklands, call me if you go or ask for me on the MB area.

 

[skiathospurs]

Watford boss Walter Mazzarri admitted he may have to use U23 players against Tottenham Hotspur on New Year's Day and Stoke City two days later.

The Hornets are going through an injury crisis, with Mazzarri bringing a piece of paper with all the players' names on it that were unavailable to his pre-match press conference.

The transfer window opens the day of the Spurs match, but that comes too early for the Italian to add to his depleted squad.

And while he has named U23 player Andrew Eleftheriou on the bench for one Premier League game already this season, he may be forced to do it once again on Sunday at Vicarage Road.

Watford’s sizeable injury list has now got Walter Mazzarri asking fans to make sure they are ready to support whoever takes to the field for the Hornets during the final two festive fixtures.

“Now we need the fans more than ever, especially to support the players who haven’t had as many minutes in the Premier League so far,” Mazzarri said speaking in his pre-Tottenham Hotspur presser.

“It’s a great chance for me to understand what these other players can give to the team, I know they will get that support because the fans have been with us for every minute, home and away.

On the injury front, Daryl Janmaat and Valon Behrami will both miss the New Years Day game with Tottenham Hotspur after picking up knocks in the 1-1 Boxing Day draw with Crystal Palace.

The duo picked up muscular injuries inside the opening 15 minutes on Monday, with Mazzarri admitting the pair could miss three weeks.

Elsewhere Roberto Pereyra (knee),Isaac Success (muscular),Miguel Britos (suspended),Adrian Mariappa (knee) and Ben Watson (family problems) remain sidelined.

There was some encouraging news on Craig Cathcart, with the defender in contention for a return to action against Spurs.

“I hope so, because he started training with us already but he still feels some pain,” Mazzarri said speaking about the Northern Irishman.

“I can use him, he can be available, but he wont be 100 per cent. Also, if I make him start from the first minute, he won’t play for the whole 90 minutes as he hasn’t got that in his legs yet.

Pressed on Okaka’s return, Mazzarri added: “We are hoping for him to return a little earlier, he’s almost ready, but he has a big muscle and we must be careful how we use him.

 

[conor1]

They seem to be in a bit of a mess on the injury front.

 

[Dorset]

They seem to be in a bit of a mess on the injury front.

Shame that Deeney bloke isn't one of them, I don't like him, he's go the sort of face you could punch until your arms got tired and your knuckles bled. He's probably a very nice bloke and loves his mum, but he irritates me, like that cunt Farage, I wouldn't ever stop punching him, only for a break while someone else took over, there would be a long queue.

I have often worried about my level of intolerance. For my New Years Resolution I am gong to deal with that issue, I ain't going to worry about it any more, I'm just going to enjoy it. Fuck, only 2 days to go and I will have survived 2016. Oh bollocks I've probably jinxed it now! I'll let you know on New Years Day (or not). Just in case, I will wish most of you a happy new year now.

 

[conor1]

Shame that Deeney bloke isn't one of them, I don't like him, he's go the sort of face you could punch until your arms got tired and your knuckles bled. He's probably a very nice bloke and loves his mum, but he irritates me, like that cunt Farage, I wouldn't ever stop punching him, only for a break while someone else took over, there would be a long queue.

I have often worried about my level of intolerance. For my New Years Resolution I am gong to deal with that issue, I ain't going to worry about it any more, I'm just going to enjoy it. Fuck, only 2 days to go and I will have survived 2016. Oh bollocks I've probably jinxed it now! I'll let you know on New Years Day (or not). Just in case, I will wish most of you a happy new year now.

To be fair dorset mate he looks like he's already had a few thumps to the coupon

 

[skiathospurs]

Mauricio Pochettino says Toby Alderweireld has recovered from his virus – and the Tottenham manager has stressed he did not mislead fans about the Belgian’s availability against Southampton.
Alderweireld, who missed 10 games between October and December due a nerve problem in his leg, was then ruled out of the home game against Burnley on December 18 due to a back injury.

Pochettino reported at his following press conference that the defender was fit to return to the side – but Alderweireld was missing again when Spurs visited Southampton on Wednesday, this time with a virus.

Some fans were unconvinced by the explanation, and a few comments on social media suggested Pochettino had misled the supporters – a fact the manager was clearly keen to address when he spoke to the media today ahead of the trip to Watford on New Year’s Day.

“He (Alderweireld) trained well today, he has recovered from the virus he got a day before the game against Southampton,” said Pochettino. “But I don’t want to say anything because before the Southampton game I said that he had recovered from his back problem, which was why he didn’t play against Burnley.

“I think the press conference was five days before the game [against Southampton] because it was Christmas and I didn’t want to disturb you. But he got a virus one day before the match and there’s nothing we could do about that. We hope he’ll be available for Watford.”

Erik Lamela is not yet ready to return, though, with Pochettino reporting: “He’s still recovering. He’s doing well but we need to wait for him to recover his fitness, his level.”

 

[BigDub]

This whole thing with Lamela is a bit odd

 

[boo]

Provisional squad: Lloris, Vorm, Lopez, Rose, Davies, Alderweireld, Dier, Carter-Vickers, Wimmer, Trippier, Wanyama, Winks, Dembele, Eriksen, Alli, Sissoko, Onomah, Nkoudou, Son, Kane, Janssen.

 

[Don Diaz]

If everything clicks in this game we could witness Watford get a real thumping...I'm thinking a 5-0 wouldn't surprise me.

Assuming everyone's fitness, rotation, Poch's plan and all that stuff I'd like to see Eric get a run in midfield, he doesn't look that comfortable as part of a Centre back 3 to me.

Keep the run going, get the 3 points and then mullah Chelsea, that would be the perfect start to 2017.

 

[Finchbee]

This whole thing with Lamela is a bit odd

They are just taking extra precautions cos he is vital to our title push

 

[Don Diaz]

Michael Oliver is the referee.....he reffed our game against Chelsea earlier this season.

 

[boo]

 

[Dorset]

This will be interesting. I wonder if we will see Wimmer or have we seen the last of him and could he be on his way back to Germany? I don't think so, the Poch rates him and he did a great job last year when Jan was crocked. Will the Poch give Carter-Vickers a start?

We have what could turn out to be the biggest game of the season on Wednesday and a must win next Sunday because I am insisting that we win the FA Cup this year, so we might see an 'interesting' back 4 (or 3?). I'd be happy to see Davies, Trippier, Wimmer and CCV for this one. Jan, Kyle,Toby and Danny will then be fresh for Wednesday's mulching* of those dirty, dirty chavs.

*Spell checker once again changed mullahing to 'mulching - I like it!

I reckon the Poch can take some chances in this game, Watford are in a right old pickle injuries wise, so let's see GKN, Josh and Vincent in the starting line up, or not, because I know fuck all about tactics and stuff. To Dare Is To Do and this game is crying out for a bit of daring I reckon!

 

[skiathospurs]

Well this is a bit of a chelsea vs spurs cup final game for them,I mean watch them up their effort because they think its a london derby or they used to play for spurs.Kaboul has been gobbing off how Poch disrespected him,basically for selling him,catpoo did the same last year,gomes I can stand,cos with a face like that someones got to love him.They dont need a ref for this game,they will need a priest.All will be well as long as we dont give them a head start of a goal,once we score the game plan will be up for them.If you think areas around spurs are a dump,go to watford a slum in the suburbs.
No I dont like them very much !!!

 

[Don Diaz]

I've only just woken up after last nights revelry....I hope the players feel better than I do. Need to be a little bit careful and make sure we win this before worrying about Chelsea.....we only squeaked a last minute win last year but we are better this time around and they are worse. Win this get the New Yesrvrolling and then stuff those cocky plastic cunts....I really hate Chelsea.

 

[skiathospurs]

I've only just woken up after last nights revelry....I hope the players feel better than I do. Need to be a little bit careful and make sure we win this before worrying about Chelsea.....we only squeaked a last minute win last year but we are better this time around and they are worse. Win this get the New Yesrvrolling and then stuff those cocky plastic cunts....I really hate Chelsea.

I am gonna say 1-4 and throw in a kaboul OG just for a giggle.

 

[Don Diaz]

I am gonna say 1-4 and throw in a kaboul OG just for a giggle.

Capoue for their 1, a Gomes howler and a penalty save just for added interest???