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Buzzing for the Hornets? Watford Preview

It’s back to the Championship again after the FA Cup victory in midweek, with Sean Dyche bringing his 18th placed Watford to St Andrews looking to become the first Championship side to win at St Andrews. For Blues however, it’s a chance to keep up their push into the promotion race.

Watford FC

Sean Dyche doesn’t have many injury concerns going into this fixture, with only Martin Taylor and Stephen McGinn definitely out, although on loan Villa midfielder Jonathan Hogg is also rated as doubtful. They will most likely start with the talented Marvin Sordell up front, who is top scorer for Watford with 8 goals alongside former Villa trainee Troy Deeney.

Watford are in a poor vein of form at the moment, having only won once in their last six league matches, taking just six points from a possible eighteen and scoring only seven goals. Only four Championship teams have scored fewer goals away from home than the Hornets, with Watford failing to score on their last two away outings.

Birmingham City

Blues are still without Stephen Carr and Pablo Ibanez, and with Liam Ridgewell rated doubtful with a hamstring injury it means Blues are stretched defensively, with no fully fit full time defenders to choose from barring rookie Fraser Kerr. However, David Murphy and Jean Beausejour have both recovered from their clash of heads and are both likely to start, with Nikola Zigic, Marlon King and Chris Burke likely to be recalled to the starting eleven after being benched for the trip to Molineux.

Blues are in fine form at the moment, with three wins and eleven points from their last six league games, scoring thirteen goals and conceding just four. They have the only unbeaten home record in the division (and are one only five clubs in the whole top four English divisions), having won eight and drawn 6 at home. Blues also have the best home defensive record in the division, with only Manchester City conceding fewer goals out of the 92 professional clubs.

This is another game we really should win; Watford are no great shakes away from home and confidence at Blues has to be buoyant. The only worry for me is that the squad is stretching to breaking point; with N’Daw in Africa and the aforementioned injuries the sixteen almost picks itself and we’re one injury or suspension away from having to bring in the kids. If Ridgewell doesn’t make the squad tomorrow I will be interested to see what Hughton does with the bench; I’m guessing Rooney, Redmond and whoever isn’t picked out of Mutch, Gomis and Fahey will be three of them for sure but the fourth is going to have to be one of Valles, Gnahore, Reilly and Kerr.

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4 Responses to “Buzzing for the Hornets? Watford Preview”

  • Oldbluenose says:

    Enric Valles, is the conumdum, He was given an extra 1 yr, contract, but has been unused,!!. Surely he should have a game to see what he is able to accomplish,?. I do belive he can play on the wing,!!.

  • Griff says:

    Yes but we have 3 out and out wingers ho will always be picked in front of him. I’d give him a try in the middle of the park for the last 15 if we’re coasting.

  • GoodyBlueShoes says:

    Ed. Regardless of how strong our squad will be for the last half of the season I am more worried about dwindling support at home games. I know we are still in recession and I realise there are many unemployed in our fair city. . what thoughts from you. . . Apathy?

    GBS

    • almajir says:

      I think there is a bit of apathy mixed in with people who’ve lost the desire to go – but you cannot underestimate just how many people don’t have the cash even though it’s cheap.


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