Ipswich Town v Watford 
Saturday 8th November 2014
Portman Road – 15:00
Opening Thought - Jamma
Big Mick may have played down the impact of Tuesday night’s impressive win, going no further than to describe it as ‘a confident performance’ and pointing out that the season is barely a third of the way through. But he did allow himself to draw an analogy with the likes of Barcelona and Bayern Munich, as he made the point that all successful teams are built around a base of hard work. This was epitomised by the endeavour of a number of players, not least Stephen Hunt, who seemed determined to literally run himself into the ground against his former club. Kevin Bru was another who earnt the plaudits with his industry but the star of the show was undeniably a supremely confident Daryl Murphy. After a slightly tongue-in-cheek comment about how Murph should have tracked back to prevent Luke Hyam’s booking, McCarthy went on to describe his all-round performance as ‘fabulous’. It may have taken him some time to win over certain sections of the Blue Army but his two sumptuous goals against Wolves were just the latest in a series of strikes worthy of a man who now finds himself at the top of the Championship goalscorers’ chart.
In spite of Mick’s best efforts to dampen the enthusiasm, we have every right to be excited as Ipswich Town supporters at the moment. After a run of games in which our momentum was halted by last-minute equalisers, we have bounced back strongly from those setbacks over the last two matches. We go in to our latest encounter with a top six rival very much on an upward trajectory, and just 3 points off the Championship summit. Our opponents, Watford, on the other hand, approach the game on the back of a surprise defeat at Birmingham. This could work for or against us, of course, but, if we can replicate the levels of commitment, discipline and quality from Tuesday night, we could have a top-of-the-table clash to look forward to after the international break…
The Opposition - Watford
Watford ‘Rovers’ was formed in 1881 and originally composed entirely of amateur players. The team first competed in the FA Cup in the 1886–87 season, and in 1889 Watford won the County Cup for the first time. The team became the football section of West Hertfordshire Sports Club in 1890, and consequently moved to a ground on Cassio Road. Renamed as West Hertfordshire in 1893, Rovers joined the Southern Football League in 1896, and started to pay professional footballers in 1897.
West Hertfordshire merged with local rivals Watford St Mary's in 1898, the merged team was named Watford Football Club.
Following relegation to the Southern League Second Division in 1903, Watford appointed its first manager – former England international and First Division top scorer John Goodall. He led Watford to promotion, and kept the team in the division until his departure in 1910.
Despite financial constraints, Watford won the Southern League title in the 1914–15 season under his successor, Harry Kent. Watford held the title for five years following the suspension of the Southern League during the First World War – after finishing the 1919–20 season runners-up on goal average, the club resigned from the Southern League to join the new Football League Third Division.
From 1921–22, the third tier of The Football League consisted of two parallel sections of 22 clubs, fighting both for promotion to the Second Division and also battling to hold on to their league status. There was a re-election system in place which meant the bottom two teams in each of the two divisions had to apply for re-election to the league. Watford finished outside the top six league positions in every season between 1922 and 1934.
Following Kent's departure in 1926, they finished 21st out of 22 clubs in 1926–27, but were unanimously re-elected to the league after a ballot of clubs in the top two divisions of The Football League. By contrast, under Neil McBain and subsequently Bill Findlay, the team recorded five consecutive top six finishes between 1934–35 and 1938–39, and won the Football League Third Division South Cup in 1937.
The Football League was suspended in 1939 due to the Second World War. It resumed in 1946, with Watford still in the Third Division South. A 23rd-placed finish in 1950–51 meant that the club had to apply for re-election to the league once more, but again teams in the First and Second Divisions unanimously voted for Watford to stay in the league.
McBain returned in 1956, and the team remained in the division until 1958, the league was restructured into four national divisions for the 1958–59 season, and Watford were placed in the Fourth Division.
Ron Burgess replaced McBain during that season, and in the following campaign Burgess presided over Watford's first Football League promotion.
Burgess was succeeded by Bill McGarry, and in his only season at the club led the club to what was at the time its highest ever league position: third in the Third Division.
McGarry joined Ipswich in 1964, and was replaced by player-manager Ken Furphy, from Workington. Furphy’s rebuilding came to fruition in 1969 with the start of an unbeaten run after Christmas. Watford secured the league title in April and a year later Watford reached the FA Cup semi-final for the first time.
However, hampered by a lack of funds, Furphy eventually joined Blackburn Rovers, to be succeeded by George Kirby. Forced to sell players to survive, Watford fell back into the Third Division in 1972. The team continued to struggle in the third tier, and despite a managerial change, Watford were relegated again in 1975.
Lifelong Watford supporter Elton John became club chairman in 1976 with an ambition to take the team into the First Division.
When Graham Taylor was named manager, the club was still in the Fourth Division. Taylor achieved promotion in his first season. Promotion to the Second Division followed in 1978–79. Watford consolidated with 18th and 9th placed finishes over the following two seasons, and secured promotion to the First Division for the first time in 1981–82, finishing second behind rivals Luton Town.
Watford started the 1982–83 season with four league wins from the opening five fixtures. In the space of seven years, the club had climbed from bottom place in the lowest division of The Football League, to top position in the highest division. Watford were unable to maintain a title challenge, but eventually finished the season second behind Liverpool, which ensured UEFA Cup qualification for the following season.
An FA Cup final appearance followed in 1984, although Watford lost to Everton. After guiding Watford to a ninth-place finish in 1986–87, Taylor left the club to manage Aston Villa.
Following Taylor's departure, Wimbledon manager Dave Bassett was appointed as his replacement, and after 4 wins from his opening 23 league fixtures, Bassett was sacked in January 1988. Watford were bottom of the First Division at the time of his departure, and Steve Harrison could not prevent relegation at the end of the season.
Harrison departed in 1990, and over the next few years, the closest Watford came to promotion was a seventh-placed finish in Division One in the 1994–95 season.
However, in the following season – Glenn Roeder's third as manager – Watford struggled. Despite the return of Graham Taylor as caretaker manager in February 1996, the club was relegated to Division Two.
Following the relegation, Taylor became Director of Football, with former Watford midfielder Kenny Jackett as manager. After a mid-table finish in Division Two in 1996–97, Jackett was demoted to the position of assistant manager. Taylor returned as manager, and won the Second Division title in 1997–98 – Watford's second league title under his management.
A second successive promotion followed in 1998–99, thanks to a play-off final victory over Bolton Wanderers. Watford's first Premiership season started with an early victory over Liverpool, but Watford's form soon faded, and the club was relegated after finishing bottom.
Graham Taylor retired at the end of the 2000–01 season, and was replaced by Gianluca Vialli and the club finished 14th in the division in 2001–02. Vialli was sacked at the end of the season and was replaced by Ray Lewington, who had joined the club the previous summer as Vialli's reserve team manager.
Watford's weak financial position was exposed in 2002–03, following the collapse of ITV Digital and Financial constraints saw a large number of players released that summer.
After consolidating in 2003–04, the following season started well, with the club in the upper half of the Championship at the end of September. However, poor form saw the club drop towards the relegation zone. Despite reaching the semi-final of the League Cup, Watford's league form did not improve, and Lewington was sacked in March 2005. His successor, Aidy Boothroyd, led the club to Championship survival.
Watford finished third in the league in Boothroyd's first full season, and defeated Leeds United in the play-off final to gain promotion to the Premier League, but the team did not record a Premier League win until November, Watford finished bottom after only winning five league games, but did reach the semi-finals of the FA Cup. Boothroyd continued as manager, and Watford led the Championship by several points early in 2007–08, but only finished 6th, where they lost to Hull City in the playoff semi-finals. Boothroyd left the club by mutual consent three months into the 2008–09 season, with Watford 21st in the Championship table.
Under Boothroyd's successor, Brendan Rodgers, Watford finished 13th. Rodgers left to manage Reading at the end of the season.
Malky Mackay, who had previously served as caretaker manager, was his replacement and with the club coming close to administration, Watford finished 16th in 2009–10 and 14th the following season. Mackay left to manage Cardiff City in June 2011, and was replaced by Sean Dyche.
Despite presiding over Watford's highest league position in four years, Dyche was dismissed as Watford manager in July 2012. He was replaced by former Italy international Gianfranco Zola, following the Pozzo family's purchase of the club.
Following a successful 2012–13 season which saw a league-best 85 goals scored, Watford ultimately finished third in the Championship, narrowly missing out on an automatic promotion place. In the promotion play-off semi-final, Watford defeated Leicester City on aggregate but was defeated in the final by Crystal Palace, 1–0, on an extra-time penalty.
Watford went into the 2013/14 season full of confidence but a loss of form saw Gianfranco Zola's departure from the club. In December 2013, Watford appointed Beppe Sannino as their new manager and finished the 2013/14 season in 13th place.
Despite winning four of the first five league games of the 2014/15 season, Beppe Sannino's future at Watford was subject to much speculation after it emerged some players were unhappy with his management style. Sannino resigned from his position as Watford manager on 31 August 2014 with the club 2nd in the table. Two days later, on 2 September 2014, Watford confirmed the appointment of former Brighton & Hove Albion head coach Óscar Garcia as the club's new manager and the successor to Sannino, beating off competition from fellow Championship side Leeds United for his services.
However, Garcia resigned from his position as Watford manager on 29 September 2014, for health reasons. Billy McKinlay, who had only been appointed first team coach on 26 September 2014, was appointed as his immediate successor on the same day - his first position in management after spells as a coach with Fulham, and as assistant manager with Northern Ireland, however he was in turn replaced by Slavisa Jokanovic on the 7th October 2014 providing Watford its fourth manager in only 37 days.
One To Watch – Matej Vydra
In a team with plenty of quality, there is one player who stands out as the dangerman for Saturday: returning hero Matej Vydra.
The Czech striker first arrived in Hertfordshire at the start of the 2012/13 season, joining from one of the other football clubs in the Pozzo family’s collection, Udinese. He became an instant hit at Vicarage Road, as he scored 22 goals in 44 league matches to fire the Hornets into the Play-offs. In the wake of the defeat to Crystal Palace at Wembley, Vydra returned to Italy before being granted his wish of Premier League football with another season-long loan, this time at West Brom. The added competition at the Midlands club restricted his chances, though, and he only managed 3 goals in 23 league appearances.
Having returned once again to Watford, the striker, still only 22 years old, seems to be back to his prolific best. He has claimed 7 goals in the first 16 matches of the campaign and is on target for a similar haul to two years ago. Likely to be playing alongside Troy Deeney or Fernando Forestieri, Vydra will only need the slightest sniff of a chance on Saturday to add to his tally.
The Gaffer - Slaviša Jokanović
Defensive Midfielder Jokanovic was born in Novi Sad, Vojvodina, Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
Jokanović started playing for hometown side FK Novi Sad.
In 1990, Jokanović joined Belgrade's FK Partizan, and after impressive displays at Partizan, Jokanović signed for Real Oviedo in Spain where he subsequently joined fellow La Liga side CD Tenerife.
In the 1999 summer, aged 31, Jokanović signed for Deportivo de La Coruña. After only one season with Depor, Jokanović signed with Premier League Chelsea in October 2000, for £1.7 million. He made 39 appearances for the Blues during two seasons and was released in July 2002 at nearly 34, hanging up his boots after playing just three months in the Spanish second division with Ciudad de Murcia.
Jokanović played six times for Yugoslavia, as well as representing FR Yugoslavia in a further 58 matches, appearing for the nation at the 1998 FIFA World Cup and Euro 2000.
Jokanović was living in Madrid when he joined, in September 2007, the technical staff of third division team Club Atlético de Pinto. However, three months later, he became the head coach of Partizan.
In May 2008, under Jokanović's management, Partizan won the double (league and cup). He was also selected as the year's "Best Coach in Serbia" by the Football Association of Serbia, but refused to receive this award due to Partizan's poor results in the group stage of the UEFA Cup.
In his first full season Jokanović led Partizan to another double, winning the league thus, he became the first coach in the club's history to successfully defend the titles. On 5 September 2009, however, he left the post, by mutual consent, bidding farewell to the club through an open letter.
On 28 February 2012, Muangthong United F.C. introduced Jokanović as their new head coach, and he signed a one-year contract with an option for a further two years. In his first and only season he led the club to the third Thai Premier League title in its history, being undefeated throughout the whole campaign.
In mid-July 2013, Jokanović replaced Nikolay Mitov as manager of Bulgarian team PFC Levski Sofia. He was relieved of his duties in October, due to poor results.
On 7 October 2014 Slaviša Jokanović was named as manager of Watford FC.
Past Match - Video Highlights - Trev
Highlights from our last meeting with Watford, a 1-1 draw which could have been more at Portman Road back in January:
Trev's Trivia
Players to feature for both teams:
Nathan Ellington ITFC 2011-2013 WFC 2007–2011
Scott Loach ITFC 2012–2014 WFC 2006–2012
Keith Andrews ITFC 2011 loan WFC 2014 loan
Media Watch - K L Blue
Colin has come across some interesting pieces on two of the stars of Tuesday night’s performance.
First, the legend that is Luke Hyam has a message for Norwich fans:
http://hereisthecity.com/en-gb/2014/11/ ... -ahead-of/
…and an item from the Irish Times on Daryl ‘Murphlinho’ Murphy:
http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/ ... -1.1989466
Stat Time
Head To Head
Ipswich Town Wins................22 (33.85%)
Watford Wins......................26 (40.00%)
Draws................................17 (26.15%)
Ipswich Town Goals...............91 (ave. 1.40 per match)
Watford Goals.....................92 (ave. 1.42 per match)
Head To Head at Portman Road
Ipswich Town Wins................13 (40.63%)
Watford Wins.......................9 (28.13%)
Draws.................................10 (31.25%)
Ipswich Town Goals................53 (ave. 1.66 per match)
Watford Goals......................40 (ave. 1.25 per match)
The Predicted Teams
Ipswich Town
McCarthy will hope to be able to call upon the services of Jonny Williams again but fellow groin strain victims Dean Gerken, Cole Skuse and Teddy Bishop are unlikely to feature, with the game also coming too soon for Jonathan Parr. Luke Hyam will serve a one-match suspension after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season against Wolves.
33 Bialkowski
04 Chambers
05 Smith
06 Berra
03 Mings
18 Tabb
17 Bru
50 Williams
09 Murphy
10 McGoldrick
12 Hunt
Watford
Slavisa Jokanovic (assuming he’s still in the very hot Watford hotseat on Saturday) may be tempted to shuffle his pack after the shock defeat to Birmingham last time out. He has an embarrassment of riches to choose from up front, with ‘One to watch’ Matej Vydra vying with Troy Deeney and Fernando Forestieri for a start.
01 Gomes
14 Paredes
06 Ekstrand
31 Hoban
12 Doyley
10 McGugan
05 Andrews
08 Tozser
21 Anya
20 Vydra
09 Deeney
Marko’s Caption Competition
Excellent winner this week with Bluemike’s "Deliverance" caption. For people not familiar with Deliverance, google "Banjo Deliverance". In fact, don't bother....., here it is!
Nice one, Mike...., 4pts....., 3pts to Don,....., 2pts to Blueblood.
Table:
1. Bluemike.........14
2. Frosty.............13
2. Quasar........... 13
2. Blueblood......, 13
3. Herforder....... 11
4. James..........., 8
5. Barmy Billy......6
5. Floors..........., 6
6. The Don......., 5
6. Andy M........., 5
7. Supershred..., 4
7. Mr Punch......, 4
7. Jamma........., 4
8. Morph.........., 3
9. Hallamblue,..., 2
9. LnP.............., 2
10. Charnwood....,1
10. Number 9....., 1
10. Derick.........., 1
Come on, everyone......, have a go at this.
[/color]Match Referee - Eddie Ilderton
Final Thought - Jamma
I have the honour of having the final word ahead of this, the last game before the international break.
As disappointing as it undoubtedly was to throw away 4 points in the first two matches after the previous break, I think we’d have all taken being in 5th position and just 3 points off the top (not to mention 1 above our feathered friends!) at this stage of the season. It was always going to be difficult to maintain September’s imperious form over a sustained period, and indeed every club will suffer a blip somewhere along the line. The important thing is how we recover from such setbacks and, with 2 wins out of 2 in November, we’re going about it in the right way.
The temptation, having got ourselves into this position, is to get ahead of ourselves as we approach two potentially mouth-watering fixtures. Before we turn our attention to Bournemouth, though, we have an equally tricky prospect to navigate, against our perennial bogey team Watford. Already on to their fourth manager of the season, the Hornets have done well to show such consistency but, with the Blues starting to find some momentum again, there will be no better way to end that hoodoo in front of a bumper Portman Road crowd.
IPSWICH TOWN 2 WATFORD 1
