The mighty Horns make the trip to Lancashire, a county of poor pickings over the last few years. A win for either side this Saturday will consolidate their current position and go further to confound the pundits* pre-season predictions. Both clubs have found it easier to accumulate points on the road, just 1 place and 3 points separate the two clubs. Burnley currently have a +2 goal difference compared to our -1, a 2 goal margin of victory for us will see us leapfrog them in the table. On the injury front, Burnley lost Robbie Brady to a severe knee injury last week at Leicester which will see him out for some time. Although there is no further injury news from Watford, long term injured players Chalobah seen hobbling around the Vic last week must be some way away from fitness and Kaboul I can only assume has been abducted by aliens. Legends for both clubs: Manager Sean Dyche was the first person to see the workings of the Pozzo era at Watford, it took 30 seconds to find out. Player Chris Iwelumo was the first person to score in the Pozzo era, his statue is currently being had crafted in Italy. The scultor should have no difficulty as his facial expression has never changed. I expect a low crowd as most locals will be acting as extras in the filming of the new series of League of Gentlemen. My prediction 3-1 to Watford. * Note a pundit would be confounded by a wet teabag in a teapot.
Eurgh, what a horrendous game of hoofball this is going to be between two sides scrapping it out at the bottom. Hopefully they put this last on MOTD so I can avoid watching it.
It will be a game of football that’s for sure Not sure who will win, I will go with us if Lawro predicts a draw or Burnley win. Whatever the score can’t see more than 8 goals Expect some dodgy ref decisions , everybody on the pitch to try and fowl Rich (no wonder he looks so knackered) and the forum to slag off Gray or Deeney depending on who starts When is challobah back ?
Me too. Going with a mate - we hadn't got tickets together, so shouldn't be an issue. (Looking on the bright side) First time to Turf Moor. Only PL ground to tick off is Swansea, but looks like I might have missed the boat!
Reasonably local for me, so I'll be there. Remember going there for a Full Members Cup match around 1980. It was December, midweek and freezing stood on the Longside terrace. To cap it off we lost 1-0.
Our record here isn’t great and they generally beat us without trying too hard. Having said that, this is Silva’s Watford so I expect a better game from us and at least a ground out point. Can we maintain our record of scoring two goals every away game? They don’t let in many but don’t rip teams to shreds either, so a draw would probably suit both teams. 2-2
I know this has been discussed before, but what the **** are we doing to our players: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/11/08/injury-audit-club-has-suffered-far-season/
This game will surprise everyone in its tempo, skill and entertainment value. Watford have at least 3, yes 3, shots on target. Will they boo or clap Gray? 2-1 win. Gray to score.
Burnley are one of the dullest teams in the league. Very few of their games have more than 2 goals. I think this will be 1-1.
Interesting club badge that predicts our 2-1 win: A hand feebly trying to stop 2 hornets, a goose that will be cooked and what looks like the lion on a boiled egg. (Sorry, can’t sleep and I’m bored) Brady out a blow for Burnley
I considered going to this but then thought did I really want to travel 4 hours each way to watch Burnley grind out a 1-0 win with 47 players, backroom staff and officials behind the ball. Saw enough of that for one season against Stoke. Looking forward to Palace on Tuesday. Proper awayday.
You'll be going for us then. I honestly think he'll predict a narrow 1-0 away win when Swansea visit the Vic. I suspect under 2.5 goals to be the bet though (now watch a 6 goal thriller).
Sadly think it will be a bit like the Stoke game.... will concede a set piece and not be able to break them down
I somewhat disagree, although their scorelines don't suggest they are gung-ho they are not a park-the-bus type team either from what I've seen. I have liked Tarkowski in their defence and it goes to show that having a good CB is the starting point of success.
I'd start like this personally. Burnley are very solid at the back and I don't think one striker is enough to worry them. Play Deeney & Gray together but tell Deeney to drop a bit, almost as a #10 like he did in the QSF season. The system shouldn't take much learning either, you're essentially swapping one centre back for a striker. If that's too attacking then let Rich rest and put Holebas wide left, he might surprise us if he doesn't have to defend as much.
Another team exactly like Stoke. Play for the 1-0 and shut up shop. The only difference is, they are much better than Stoke at doing this. First goal for us is must in this game. We all know how they play, long balls, crosses and set pieces. They will look to put it on Wood’s, Vokes’ and Barnes’ head at every opportunity. Not that they will start with all three, but you get my point. Brady missing for them is key because he is such a danger with his set piece ability and crossing. If we get the first goal I think the minimum we get is a draw. Concede first and it will be a repeat of the Stoke game. Going for a 2-1 win if we score first, if we don’t then a 1-0 Burnley win.
I don't think Silva is a 4-4-2 kinda guy. Rich and Pereyra are not touchline-hugging wingers, and I can't see this formation getting the best out of them. Agree that we should play four attackers, maybe Richarlison-Pereyra-Carrillo behind Deeney/Gray in a 4-2-3-1 a lá earlier in the season?
I’m not really a tactician , but apart from the two up top that is a class team, if the two up top could click together that would be a really hard team to beat
Worth noting that Joe Coray is only one yellow away from a one-game suspension, and I'd hate to think what we'd be like without him. If he could save it til the Palace game, he'd be out for Huddersfield, which fills me with less dread than playing the Crystals without him. Also, Pereyra will need to be on form this game to try and unpick their massed ranks. He's surely the key, with Hughes out and little room for counter-attacking.