Watford FC 3-3 Tranmere Rovers - 04/01/2020 & 1-2 AET 23/01/2020

These cloggers aren't even very good in their own farmers' league as they're only out of the relegation zone on goal difference. Wonder if they still have Eric Nixon in goal?

 

and john “the cu&t” aldridge of course

 

Staying in the Premier League has to be the priority. Don't risk anyone who is vital to our league effort. After last year I couldn't care at all about this competition ... Tottenham want it desperately and will lose 6-0 to Man City in the final.

 

Very early in my time watching Watford, but Roy Sinclair had luxuriant, dark hair as I recall.

 

Haha!
Exactly the descriptions of lower league Watford by the elitist First Division club’s fans and press back in the day before we took their scalps (occasionally)!

Honest, workmanlike club living in the Liverpool shadows who tonked mighty Chichester with 5 goals.
They’ll be up for it and with a good following.
Treat them with respect and match their work rate we should win.
Anything else we could be in for an upset.

 

The BBC care.
Doing their best to hype it up.

Sad thing it’s all about the money for the EPL clubs so the FA Cup is a distant 2nd or 3rd (if in Europe) in relevance.

It’s about a day out glory spotlight and survival cash for the lower league clubs.

The previous 6-0 was 1903 when Bury won. RIP

There won’t be another 6-0 for another 100 years so we’ll have to live with the embarrassment of that awful capitulating flag waving day.

 

Going to this. Biggest game of the decade.

 

I don't get the lack of interest by some fans for the FA Cup.

Sure, league survival is the priority and we should field a very weakened team. But if we get a few easy draws we could field a weakened team and if we are then likely to stay up can then go for the cup. And actually finally win something.

This does mean we'll have a very weak defense though as they are dropping like flies at the moment, and we really can't afford to risk losing any more.

 

I agree with you, but we have this debate every year. I think it’s generally an older fans vs. younger fans thing.

 

The game is on ESPN+ here in the US, so I’d imagine if anybody is looking to get their feet wet, options will be available.

 

Gomes

Janmaat- Mariappa - Prodl - Holebas

Dele-Bashiru - Chalobah
Quina

Success - Gray - Pereyra​

Pedro off the bench

 

Interesting. With 32 ties this coming weekend, how do they decide in the US which FA Cup games to televise? I thought it would be mostly if not all matches involving PL clubs, but I seem to remember being able to catch streams for games against Forest and Leeds in 2016, but not Newcastle (maybe the first two were from other countries though).

 

It looks as though every game this round is being streamed on ESPN’s streaming service.

I believe this is the first time that’s been the case, as I don’t recall our earlier cup games being available last year.

 

I'd go with this but start with Pedro over Gray and see how long he can manage.

Also time to give Bachmann or Dahlberg a start over Gomes

 

I’m sure another token gesture contract extension is just around the corner.

 

For goodness sake give Bachmann or Dahlberg a chance.
How many emotional send offs does Gomes need.

 

Would definitely like to see that midfield.

Dahlberg or Bachmann in, Pedro to start, maybe a couple of the young guns on the bench, Whelan / Dalby?

 

How about a 'looking after and translating for Joao Pedro' contract?

 

So I’m thinking;

Gomes only kept on as a good character to have around and to make Pedro feel at home. On the flip side he’s probably been told he’ll play all cup games.

Defence - no-one will be risked so I’d say Kiko, Janmaat and Prodl all out. I think Kabasele is suspended (reds count across all domestic comps I believe). Cathcart probably needs a break.

Midfield- Doucoure and Capoue surely rested. Cleverly still out probably and wait on Hughes. Fairly sure Dele-Bashiru is injured.

Attack - delboy, shining Sarr, Troy of the rovers all rested.

So (not what I want but my guess) is;

Gomes
Mariappa
Dawson
Masina
Holebas
Chalobah
Quina
Pereyra
Success
Gray
Pedro

Lots of the U’23’s on the bench.

But quick question - anyone know if Pedro is a number 9 or whether he can play anywhere across the front 3?

 

According to Transfermarkt his main position is in the middle but he can also play on the left. Probably means he's okay on the right too. And it's only Tranmere.

 

Wish I read this earlier, just bought 2 tickets. FML. Ah well, first game of the season for me (fair-weather fan innit).

 

Hungbo, Dalby and Bennetts in the squad would be a good reward, even if they don't play.

 

Gomes
Dawson Prodl Marriapa Holebas
Dele-Bashiru Chalobah
Success Quina Pereyra
Pedro

 

Anyone know for certain if Pedro available on Saturday?

Old competition rules would have said not as to play in cup you had to have been eligible for previous 2 league games - but this has all changed and having read the new rules, I can't quite see why not as he was signed before midday on the friday and that seems to be it (provided not cup tied which clearly is not the case)

People picking Prodl / Jaanmaat must know something because the Big man himself said that none of the crocks have any chance before the end of the month

 

The 2012/13 season kicked off with a league cup game with Wycombe a lot of our new signings played in that game which was a week before the trip to Selhurst Park.

 

We probably need to win as don’t need the negativity of a loss to a lower legue side, but hope to see fringe players put in shift , want to see Pedro start and would like to see Sarr play so we can see how they play together.

would also like to see Quina, Wellbeck (must be fit soon) and is Peñaranda still with us ?

 

Sarr really needs a rest though....

 

nah he missed the 1st part of the season he is just getting started

 

If only there was some way of finding out...

 

well that passed me by, thought he was going to be our wonder kid

 

He can't even get in their team, hasn't played for months and there are rumours his agent is punting him round South America... A colossal waste of time and money

 

Sarr hasn't got any problems with fitness so I wouldn't touch him with a bargepole for this match; he can stay well away and get ready for the Muffins, thank you very much, no impact injuries or agricultural reducers coming his way as the result.