A win's a win so let's do a double in our brand new favourite cup competition and I'll try not to wake up near the end of the central line, thank God we didn't win 2-0!
Expect Tilly to stay with the same line up that started v Millwall as speculation continues on the future of JCR. To be honest we looked a tighter defensive unit without him allowing Gilbert to be set free flying down the right wing, though Black must get a starting chance soon, class act. As for Prince Harry, we live in hope.
The centre half union at SUFC will be hoping the 6ft 1 goal machine that is Marlon King gets a rest however any chance of promising youngsters making a debut probably went out of the window as the Hornets suffered a humiliating 4-1 loss at the hands of Leicester on Saturday!
With the exception of Darius Henderson, manager Boothroyd has a full complement of players,
Expect Tilly to stay with the same line up that started v Millwall as speculation continues on the future of JCR. To be honest we looked a tighter defensive unit without him allowing Gilbert to be set free flying down the right wing, though Black must get a starting chance soon, class act. As for Prince Harry, we live in hope.
The centre half union at SUFC will be hoping the 6ft 1 goal machine that is Marlon King gets a rest however any chance of promising youngsters making a debut probably went out of the window as the Hornets suffered a humiliating 4-1 loss at the hands of Leicester on Saturday!
With the exception of Darius Henderson, manager Boothroyd has a full complement of players,
Henderson having been the subject of increased transfer speculation in the last week and was a notable absentee for the home defeat at the hands of the Foxes.
Jobi McAnuff was taken off as a precautionary measure late in the game at Vicarage Road and will be fit to retain his place in the starting line-up.
Boothroyd is also likely to keep faith with defenders Jay DeMerit and Dan Shittu as well as goalkeeper Mart Poom after they started Saturday's demoralising defeat despite all representing their countries last week.
The team that finisished against Leicester; Poom, Doyley, DeMerit (Hoskins 83), Shittu, Stewart, McAnuff (Mariappa 86), Mahon, Williamson, Smith, King, Kabba (Priskin 68).
Subs Not Used: Lee, Bangura.
The team that finisished against Leicester; Poom, Doyley, DeMerit (Hoskins 83), Shittu, Stewart, McAnuff (Mariappa 86), Mahon, Williamson, Smith, King, Kabba (Priskin 68).
Subs Not Used: Lee, Bangura.
Booked: Mahon, King, Kabba, Shittu, Stewart.
Goals: King 90 pen.
Watford manager Adie Boothroyd said after the game; "This could be our best result of the season, we got the boot up the backside our performance deserved. We earned a reputation in our first two games. We perhaps turned up today thinking everyone was afraid of us. But Leicester weren't and you have to make sure your score in your dominant periods, and make sure you don't give away goals."
Quite a history between the sides in the leagues and the odd FA Cup match, the first match was played in 1919, a 0-1 cup defeat, with 116 matches in total: Won 38 Lost 46 Drawn 32.
Many stories could be told as there was a bit of a rivalry at one stage but we have not played them since a 1-1 draw in 1998, Thompson scoring, and our only other meeting in the League Cup was a 0-1 two leg defeat in 1994.
Let's give it a go then, hope there's a decent crowd, but I'll leave you with what our Watford friends think about us on the vitalfootball site, enjoy the game.
Oh, Freddie Freddie Freddie. Southend have missed Eastwood`s quality in a season so far packed with the good (a 4-1 cup win against Cheltenham), the bad (a 2-1 reverse at home v Leyton Orient) and the just plain ugly (a 4-1 loss against Leeds United).
THE GUVNOR
Here at VitalWatford we can`t help but think that Shrimpers Boss, Steve Tilson is more 'Essex` than bright white stilettos and suped up Escort GTIs with furry dice hanging from the ol` rear view. Having spent most of his playing days in the non/lower leagues (with 84 goals in 390 games), Tilson started managerial life at Canvey Island but made his name at Roots Hall with a 40% win rate.
He has even been linked with vacant positions at WBA and Norwich in the last 18 months and helped out with Peter Taylor`s U21 England side you know…
MORE THAN HIS 15 MINUTES OF FAME…
With no Eastwood to hog the limelight at the Hall, step forward longs standing goalkeeper Daryl Flahavan to get the headlines. He ain`t the biggest that`s for sure (at only 5,11) but he`s done enough in over 250 games at Southend to prove he is good enough to play at a higher level and let`s be honest, you don`t get named as League 1 Player of the Year in a promotion season if you can`t walk the walk.
BETTER KEEP AN EYE ON…(sorry guys, think you need to pick another player, Harrold anyone?)
Jamaican International and Barnsley target, Jamal Campbell Ryce, has the trickery and pace on the right wing to give Jordan Parkes a hard time, should the Hornets youngster get a start. Here at VitalWatford Towers we reckon that the ex Charlton and Orient man has a touch of the 'Albert Jarratts` about him and he probably doesn`t net as many as he should but there`s no doubt if he`s on it, he`s on it…So let`s hope then that he`s not er…on it.
THE FUTURE`S BRIGHT
Stevie T has built up a team with experienced head backed up by youthful legs and youngsters Franck Moussa (Belgium U18 International via West Ham), 19 year old striker Gary Hooper (signed from Grays Athletic) and full back Gary Richards are the pick of the crop coming through. One time Hornet target Simon Francis (a casualty of Neil Warnock`s revolving door at Brammal Lane) will put some pace into the back line whilst U21 Hungarian International centre back Zoltan Liptak, will know all about Priskin, should both the East Europeans get a start.
THE 'MUST WIN` HEAD TO HEAD
Bangura and Rinaldi showed in the Gills game that they could strike up a good partnership but their potential will have to be on guard against the Shrimpers to get to grips with Alan McCormack (ex PNE) and Mark Gower. Irishman McCormack is still establishing himself in the Southend engine room whilst ex Spurs and Motherwell man Gower has already fired off 10 shots this season and netted in the 2-1 defeat against Leyton Orient.
BIG UP TOP?
Ah bless…veteran journeyman Lee Bradbury has been loaned out to Bournemouth as he missed the south coast a little too much and his goals will be sorely missed (he netted a hat-trick in the last round v Cheltenham). Billy Paynter and Matthew Harrold will be fighting out to partner, ruthless non league finisher, Charlie McDonald upfront. Ex Celtic man Richie Foran is suspended as he closes in on 50 league goals. Shame.
AIN`T YOU PAST IT?
Captain Kevin Maher is Mr Southend. Yet he`s still only 30 (dear god, here at VitalWatford Towers we thought he was older than Southend`s creaking pier!!!) With over 365 games for the Shrimpers under his belt since leaving White Hart Lane, you can bet his 10 year service carriage clock takes pride of place on his yellow and blue painted fireplace.
MISSING YOU ALREADY…
The Shrimpers will have to do without Scottish International left back Steven Hammell who injured himself preseason. Hammell was the subject of a £1m bid from Celtic in his Motherwell playing days and turned down offers from Aberdeen and Southampton. His absence has opened the door for Arsenal loanee Kerrea Gilbert to get a starting berth in defence.
DR WATFORD`S GREAT BIG 'I NEVER KNEW THAT` MOMENT
According to our good friends at Wikipedia.org (the online equivalent of Encyclopedia Britannia without the hardsell door to door salesmen), Shrimpers winger Tommy Black - yes the ex Arsenal and Palace playboy - turned down a move to the Vic this summer in favour of a transfer to Southend. (Hmm, the thought of the all those Essex girl groupies might have swayed the VitalWatford decision as well you know).
VERDICT - THE 'GOOD SHIP BOOTHROYD` OUTLOOK
Misty. It`s a tough call to know how the Horns will get on. On paper it looks plain sailing since Southend have lacked a cutting edge this season so far this season and been beaten heavily by Leeds. But until the opening goal, Watford were heavy legged against Gillingham so it could be a testing 90 minutes. (Let's hope so!)
Watford manager Adie Boothroyd said after the game; "This could be our best result of the season, we got the boot up the backside our performance deserved. We earned a reputation in our first two games. We perhaps turned up today thinking everyone was afraid of us. But Leicester weren't and you have to make sure your score in your dominant periods, and make sure you don't give away goals."
Quite a history between the sides in the leagues and the odd FA Cup match, the first match was played in 1919, a 0-1 cup defeat, with 116 matches in total: Won 38 Lost 46 Drawn 32.
Many stories could be told as there was a bit of a rivalry at one stage but we have not played them since a 1-1 draw in 1998, Thompson scoring, and our only other meeting in the League Cup was a 0-1 two leg defeat in 1994.
Let's give it a go then, hope there's a decent crowd, but I'll leave you with what our Watford friends think about us on the vitalfootball site, enjoy the game.
Oh, Freddie Freddie Freddie. Southend have missed Eastwood`s quality in a season so far packed with the good (a 4-1 cup win against Cheltenham), the bad (a 2-1 reverse at home v Leyton Orient) and the just plain ugly (a 4-1 loss against Leeds United).
THE GUVNOR
Here at VitalWatford we can`t help but think that Shrimpers Boss, Steve Tilson is more 'Essex` than bright white stilettos and suped up Escort GTIs with furry dice hanging from the ol` rear view. Having spent most of his playing days in the non/lower leagues (with 84 goals in 390 games), Tilson started managerial life at Canvey Island but made his name at Roots Hall with a 40% win rate.
He has even been linked with vacant positions at WBA and Norwich in the last 18 months and helped out with Peter Taylor`s U21 England side you know…
MORE THAN HIS 15 MINUTES OF FAME…
With no Eastwood to hog the limelight at the Hall, step forward longs standing goalkeeper Daryl Flahavan to get the headlines. He ain`t the biggest that`s for sure (at only 5,11) but he`s done enough in over 250 games at Southend to prove he is good enough to play at a higher level and let`s be honest, you don`t get named as League 1 Player of the Year in a promotion season if you can`t walk the walk.
BETTER KEEP AN EYE ON…(sorry guys, think you need to pick another player, Harrold anyone?)
Jamaican International and Barnsley target, Jamal Campbell Ryce, has the trickery and pace on the right wing to give Jordan Parkes a hard time, should the Hornets youngster get a start. Here at VitalWatford Towers we reckon that the ex Charlton and Orient man has a touch of the 'Albert Jarratts` about him and he probably doesn`t net as many as he should but there`s no doubt if he`s on it, he`s on it…So let`s hope then that he`s not er…on it.
THE FUTURE`S BRIGHT
Stevie T has built up a team with experienced head backed up by youthful legs and youngsters Franck Moussa (Belgium U18 International via West Ham), 19 year old striker Gary Hooper (signed from Grays Athletic) and full back Gary Richards are the pick of the crop coming through. One time Hornet target Simon Francis (a casualty of Neil Warnock`s revolving door at Brammal Lane) will put some pace into the back line whilst U21 Hungarian International centre back Zoltan Liptak, will know all about Priskin, should both the East Europeans get a start.
THE 'MUST WIN` HEAD TO HEAD
Bangura and Rinaldi showed in the Gills game that they could strike up a good partnership but their potential will have to be on guard against the Shrimpers to get to grips with Alan McCormack (ex PNE) and Mark Gower. Irishman McCormack is still establishing himself in the Southend engine room whilst ex Spurs and Motherwell man Gower has already fired off 10 shots this season and netted in the 2-1 defeat against Leyton Orient.
BIG UP TOP?
Ah bless…veteran journeyman Lee Bradbury has been loaned out to Bournemouth as he missed the south coast a little too much and his goals will be sorely missed (he netted a hat-trick in the last round v Cheltenham). Billy Paynter and Matthew Harrold will be fighting out to partner, ruthless non league finisher, Charlie McDonald upfront. Ex Celtic man Richie Foran is suspended as he closes in on 50 league goals. Shame.
AIN`T YOU PAST IT?
Captain Kevin Maher is Mr Southend. Yet he`s still only 30 (dear god, here at VitalWatford Towers we thought he was older than Southend`s creaking pier!!!) With over 365 games for the Shrimpers under his belt since leaving White Hart Lane, you can bet his 10 year service carriage clock takes pride of place on his yellow and blue painted fireplace.
MISSING YOU ALREADY…
The Shrimpers will have to do without Scottish International left back Steven Hammell who injured himself preseason. Hammell was the subject of a £1m bid from Celtic in his Motherwell playing days and turned down offers from Aberdeen and Southampton. His absence has opened the door for Arsenal loanee Kerrea Gilbert to get a starting berth in defence.
DR WATFORD`S GREAT BIG 'I NEVER KNEW THAT` MOMENT
According to our good friends at Wikipedia.org (the online equivalent of Encyclopedia Britannia without the hardsell door to door salesmen), Shrimpers winger Tommy Black - yes the ex Arsenal and Palace playboy - turned down a move to the Vic this summer in favour of a transfer to Southend. (Hmm, the thought of the all those Essex girl groupies might have swayed the VitalWatford decision as well you know).
VERDICT - THE 'GOOD SHIP BOOTHROYD` OUTLOOK
Misty. It`s a tough call to know how the Horns will get on. On paper it looks plain sailing since Southend have lacked a cutting edge this season so far this season and been beaten heavily by Leeds. But until the opening goal, Watford were heavy legged against Gillingham so it could be a testing 90 minutes. (Let's hope so!)