The Introduction
So here we are, the penultimate game of the season and still all to play for.
It's not a "must win" or even a "must draw". We could stay up even if we lose both of our remaining games but it is our hands.
The permutations are myriad but it boils down to if we win this game we stay up. That is all the players, coaches and fans need to, and have to, focus on.
The Opposition
Defeat at the hands of Blackburn has only reinforced the fact that this current side isn't good enough to beat the decent top ten sides in this division on a regular basis. We have beaten teams in the bottom half (bar Barnsley) since the turn of the year and if we catch a top half team on a bad run or out of sorts (Forest/Leeds) we can turn them over too.
No great insight or shock revelations there. Thankfully Watford are a bottom half of the table side, just, and no longer have anything but pride to play for.
The original "network" club they have failed to recover from the disappointing (for them and us) play-off final defeat last May and have hovered outside the top six most of the season.
They score goals galore (their tally of 72 is the third highest in the league and more than twice that of Charlton) but they also let a few in (at 57 only 3 less than Charlton).
Troy Deeney already has 23 goals this term and will be looking for more still against a porous Addicks defense. Watford will be missing their experienced international Italian defender Marco Cassetti after his dismissal in Saturday's 4 - 2 defeat.
The Line Up
Can Chris Solly's knees carrying him through three games in a week? If so he plays. If not then Lawrie Wilson will cover. Otherwise the defence remains as v Blackburn as there is only Richard Wood as a realistic alternative.
Poyet and Jackson seem to be permanent placements for Jose Riga but the boss will have to decide where he plays Cousins and if he starts AA. The Swede has the passing but does he have the stamina or willingness to track back against a pacy and mobile Hornets side?
Upfront Marvin Sordell seems to have finally found the belief in his own ability that has been lacking all season. If that is due to confidence from scoring at Wednesday, Riga's influence, luck or just the prospect of having to return to Bolton (or even all of the above) we'll never really know.
What we can say is that an on-form Marvin is a real asset to the side and so has to start. Who, if anyone, partners him is anyone's guess. Reza and Church were both less than impressive in the eyes of the Preview Towers staff last time out but by the time they came on Blackburn were already in control. We expect a rested Obika to start in a 4-4-2 as Riga goes for the win
Hamer
Wilson Morrison Dervite Fox
Cousins Poyet Jackson Harriot
Obika Sordell
The Prediction
1 - 1 and the tension carries on to Saturday
The Thank You
Taking the midweek gig was meant to be the easy preview option but the weather and the FA Cup soon put paid to that. So thanks for everyone who bothered to read the previews, all those who commented and the few who clicked on "like". Why not have a go yourself next season?
Live, love, laugh and be happy
30
Comments
Reza for harriott
2-1 charlton
Sordell on song and will open the scoring in a 2-0 win.
Should be a decent crowd and we need to get behind the team but I'm looking forward to it
We won't win this fixture , Watford can relax and play around with us , all our huff and puff and minimum attacking threat won't be enough to keep the Hornets at bay
Solly is , understandably, not the Solly of old just yet and Fox is the new Grant Basey
hopefully Wilson will be in to take Sollys place or give him some protection on the right
Whatever happens let's just get behind them and try and give them a lift
1-3 to Watford and we've all got to go to Blackpool and fiddle with trannys
this is a 100% bona fide must win game. I don't wanna go down, win this and we shall not.
I also urge every single one of you who can get to the valley to make sure you are there. lungs ready. buy a ticket, check out the free ticket thread on here, contact the trust, rob a banker....just get there.
we need no booing our own players, no groaning at every mistake, no demoralising our own, just pure mental, fanatical, loud SUPPORT for our team.
I normally get into the ground just as we're kicking off but I am gonna make sure I'm in my seat 15 before kick off making as much noise as humanly possible and I hope that you lot can do the same.
we can do this, get involved people
2-1 Charlton
COYR do not let it go down to Blackpool
Hamer
Solly Morrison Devite fox
Wilson Poyet Jackson Harriot
Sordell Obika
Think we will get
Hamer
Wilson Morrison Devite fox
Cousins Poyet Jackson Harriot
Sordell Church
This is our best chance of points from the two games yet to play. Hopefully Sordell will have a point to prove to his old side and bangs at least one in. Watford are bound to score, 2-1 to us then with a rare Church winner
If Solly knee is okay play him and put Wilson ahead of him.
JJ likes a goal against Watford and think he is due one.
Hamer
Solly MM Dervite Fox
Wilson Cousins Poyet JJ
AA Sordell
Solly Dervite Morro(c) Fox
Wilson Poyet Cousins Harriot
Sordell Obika
Bring Jacko on for the last 15 to snatch the winning goal.
1-0 Jackson