Watford v Ipswich Town 
Saturday 21st March 2015 – 15:00
Vicarage Road
Opening Thought – Jamma
Isn’t it nice when a plan comes together? Mick McCarthy’s thoughts will have run along these kind of lines after Tuesday night’s industrious – and crucial – 1-0 victory over Bolton. He had been forced to defend his team against some strong criticism, while backing up his decision to stick with his choice of personnel and formation at the back. It must have been especially satisfying, therefore, to secure a clean sheet from what was the epitome of a ‘scrappy win’. McCarthy should also take credit for the tactical switch that he made at the break, reverting to the 4-3-3 system that had served us so well earlier in the season. Taking Jonny Parr off after 45 minutes may not have been the most obvious move but there is no doubt that it had an impact on the course of the game. Diogo Rochinha, who had been unplayable up to that point, had much less effect when shackled by Cole Skuse, who almost capped an impressive performance by adding an elusive goal touch!
Mick was the first to admit that it was far from our best performance of the season, going as far as to say that we had played ‘far better’ when going down 4-1 at the Riverside on Saturday. Now that we have reached squeaky bum time, we have to expect a certain level of inconsistency in our performances. I am sure Norwich would have settled for an unconvincing 1-goal win over their rather fortuitous point at Huddersfield, for instance… With Brentford coming from behind to claim 3 points at Blackburn, and Wolves also winning, the victory was all that mattered, and keeps us in a strong position in our ‘mini-league’. The mental side cannot be discounted either, ahead of a potentially season-defining double-header. As intimidating as a trip to Watford and a visit from Bournemouth undoubtedly looks on paper, I am sure they won’t particularly be looking forward to playing Ipswich either. With the Cherries facing Middlesbrough on Saturday, we could conceivably be going in to that match-up just 3 points behind them, blowing open the mini-league in the process! Of course, we can’t afford to look beyond a Hornets side that is buzzing at the moment (sorry about that one!). But it’s fair to say that we have enjoyed our visits to the capital this season and, with another packed out away end roaring us on, we have every chance of making things interesting again…
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 – Odion Jude Ighalo
The Hornets’ attacking prowess is well known, with the likes of Troy Deeney, Matej Vydra and Fernando Forestieri (when he can stay on his feet) all possessing a goalscoring touch. But perhaps the biggest talent to emerge at Vicarage Road this season has been Nigerian striker Odion Jude Ighalo.
The 25-year-old signed from Udinese in July but had barely played a game in his six years with the Italian side, having spent the majority of his time on loan at Giampaolo Pozzo’s Spanish club, Granada. He scored 17 goals in 27 games in his first season with the Andalusians and helped them to a second successive promotion the following term. After a further three years playing in La Liga, Ighalo secured an initial season-long loan with Watford in the summer, a move which was soon made permanent on the back of his good form. He has continued in the same vein, bettering a one-in-two ratio of goals, including a memorable four second-half strikes in January’s remarkable 7-2 win over Blackpool. The Watford fans have clearly taken the striker to their hearts, not wasting any time in coming up with a song for him, based on Spandau Ballet’s ‘Gold’. For ‘You are Gold’, read ‘Ighal-OH’!
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
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
Found this on the Sudbury Mercury site
Jay Tabb may not always be a fans’ favourite, but he is certainly one of manager Mick McCarthy’s.
The 31-year-old is often the target when the search for scapegoats begins, but quietened several of his critics with another all-action display – and late winner – in Tuesday night’s 1-0 home win over Bolton.
Indeed, the way the 5ft 5in midfielder battles for every ball and wins unlikely aerial duels typifies the way the Blues have punched above their weight this season.
“Tabby is a fabulous professional footballer to have in your club and to play in your team,” enthused McCarthy.
“Is he ever going to score 10 goals a season? Unlikely. Is he going to pick holes in the opposition with his passes? Not all the time.
“I tell you what he will do though; he’ll go and beat somebody who is 6ft 4in in the air, he’ll win the tackle off him too. He’s all action.
“And I’m not decrying him technically, because he has that as well, but he’s not Teddy Bishop – he’s different.
“You know you can hang your hat on him, every week, in terms of his level of performance and effort.
“Whether he plays left, centre or right, he’ll do it diligently and professionally. He’s a diamond and an absolute joy to have in the football club.”
With Town seventh in the Championship table heading into their final eight matches – in-form Watford (a) and Bournemouth (h) up next – McCarthy continued: “As you all know, I told Tabby at the end of last season that he was free to move on because I was trying to change it. I brought Alex Henshall in, others in that position, but he’s seen them all off.
“He’s out of contract at the end of the season. Has there been any discussion with him about it? No. He just gets on with it.”
Stat Time
Head To Head
Watford Wins......................26 (39.39%)
Ipswich Town Wins................23 (34.85%)
Draws................................17 (25.76%)
Watford Goals.....................92 (ave. 1.39 per match)
Ipswich Town Goals...............92 (ave. 1.39 per match)
Head To Head at Watford
Watford Wins.......................17 (51.52%)
Ipswich Town Wins.................9 (27.27%)
Draws..................................7 (21.21%)
Watford Goals......................52 (ave. 1.58 per match)
Ipswich Town Goals................38 (ave. 1.15 per match)
The Predicted Teams
Watford
01 Gomes
15 Cathcart
06 Ekstrand
04 Angella
31 Hoban
03 Munari
47 Motta
23 Watson
05 Guédioura
09 Deeney
20 Vydra
Ipswich Town
33 Bialkowski
04 Chambers
05 Smith
06 Berra
03 Mings
02 Parr
27 Bishop
08 Skuse
18 Tabb
20 Sears
09 Murphy
Marko’s Caption Competition
Arguably the best week of captions so far. Some real beauties. In fact Quasars got me into a spot of trouble......, I spontaneously laughed so loud, I woke up the granddaughter who was asleep on the couch. Points are;
Quasar 4pts
Nicsreamer 3pts
Barmy Billy 2pts
TABLE:
Herforder 38
Quasar 38
FrostyNZ 35
Blueblood 34
James Scharmann 33
The Don 30
Derick Ipsw 29
Bluemike 21
Barmy Billy 20
Ashfordblue 13
Supershred 12
Nicscreamer 9
LoudnProud 7
Floors 7
Ohiotractorboy 7
Number 9 6
Jamma123 6
IpswichtownNO1 5
AndyM 5
Charnwood 4
Mr Punch 4
JimmyT 3
Morph 3
Hallamblue 2
Have a pop at this;
Match Referee – Andy D’Urso
I guess we had to cop him sooner or later …………………………
Final Thought - Frosty
Super the 3 points gained against Bolton, this week a nice trip to Vicarage Road to round off March’s fixtures.
Should be an absolute ‘walk in the park’ for us this week, as we face not only a side that has won four and drawn one match in their last five fixtures, but a side that we often struggle against coupled with the fact it’s away and Watford are now top of the table! Did I mention they have scored 12 goals in their last 5 outings?
To be honest if we come away with a point I don’t think we can have any complaints as manager Jokanović has the ‘Hornets’ buzzing since Christmas.
Still as we have seen this season anything can happen in this crazy division so I guess let’s not write off our chance’s yet.
There’s a couple of other interesting fixtures this week as we approach the really ‘pointy end’ of the season, which may have a real bearing on how we sit come Saturday night.
First up on Friday, Wolves welcome Derby to the Molineux. On Saturday Bournemouth at home to Middlesbrough should be a cracker. Elsewhere, Brentford face another London side in Millwall and finally the Budgies have a visit from Forest.
For those of you travelling to Watford on Saturday, don’t forget to visit the ‘Leavesden Film Studio’s’ which is where many of the Harry Potter movies were filmed as quite frankly we may need a bit of ‘Wizardry from Murphy & Co’ this weekend.
Take care, safe journeys and have a great weekend.
I would just like to also take this opportunity to pass on my on going thanks to James, Trev, Colin and Marko for their fantastic efforts in bringing everyone these previews. I am sure they will be welcoming the two week ‘International Window’ after a frenetic few weeks of previews. Cheers Guys!
WATFORD 1 IPSWICH TOWN 1
4-0!!!! Yuk
If we play like we have been it will be a rout by Watford, they will tear us to shreds, I reckon we will lose around 5 to 6 nil, or more, 
but if we play like we did at home against them might scrape a 1-1, but I'm sorry I think Mick has lost the plot, he aint got a clue now, keeps going down the same old route one bloody awful footie.