A.F.C. Bournemouth v Watford F.C. The Hornets travel down south the play the team they lost the Championship title to two seasons ago. Both teams survived relegation last season, which is no easy achievement. However, this season the Cherries are looking a bit more comfortable. A win for the Hornets would ease the recent nosedive down the table and give the fans something to cheers about after G. Taylor´s passing away (R.I.P). Watford have gained 8 points from the last 10 games, scoring 8 goals and letting in 17. This isn´t great form by any stretch of the imagination. Bournemouth are only 2 points and 3 places above in the table, so they are within reach with a win on the coast. Bournemouth have let in 21 goals in their last 10 games despite picking up 13 points. For Walter´s internationally assembled team Success and Amrabat are out, nevertheless, Janmaat and Gomes will have late fitness tests and Cleverley could make his second starting debut. Ake has gone back to Chelsea from his loan so at least he can´t haunt us, until we play the league leaders again. . ENJOY THE GAME - COMMENTS WELCOME COYH COYH COYH
From the BBC. Bournemouth v Watford Watford have not won any of their last six league games, and they have not signed anyone in the transfer window yet to try to arrest their slump in form. Bournemouth's recent form is better than the Hornets, but they are an inconsistent side. Hull beat them last time out and their defence is not exactly reliable. This is a hard one to call but Watford are struggling at the moment, and the Cherries will create chances against them. Lawro's prediction: 2-1 So how does Mark Lawrenson see Tom Cleverly?
Lee Mason is the referee for this game. The last time we saw him was in the Cup game against Burton. I think he did well in that game, but don't remember there was too many Tom Daley antics.
Watched the programme earlier that looks at the PL games for the weekend, and we have the worst record in the division at scoring in the first half of matches.
Not scored a goal in open play since December 10th! Daft thing is a win tomorrow might see us in the top half...
Morning all. Fingers crossed for today more in hope than expectation. I guess because we badly need something from this or in 2 weeks we could start to get sucked into the black hole of rele (as so often a team progressing in the cup while their league form vanishes). We really need that early goal, if not I will get more and more nervous. Could be a long afternoon. But enjoy everyone.
Cheers, kc. I'm not sure about the rele argument. I was discussing it with my father-in-law yesterday. Those at the bottom are well under a point a game. The league is more stretched than last year so fewer points at the bottom. I think we would have to have a majorly bad run to be in the mire. Not that I believe there's a "too good to go down" case - we're far from that.
Andy thanks for turning up the light at the end of the tunnel. Yes I keep looking at the 7 points clear and after our result check no one has closed the gap. At least there are now 4 of them down there. But of course that assumes we do not start losing '6 pointers'. Sorry I'm normally an optimist. But the fact I think there may be something wrong with the set up and communication, as opposed to the players themselves, worries me. I certainly wouldn't want that we change managers. One I like the guy. He seems the sort of guy who suits us. Two I'm not convinced changing horses at this stage is a good idea. No guarantee that the new blood will apply a quick fix - as seen at Palace. You'd think with well over 50 years as a 'orn I'd take all this in my stride
A win today would help settle a lot of nerves and make us feel more likely to be a middle of the table outfit this year. A defeat just increases fear. I am hopeful of a win today - but have no money riding on it.
On their day Bournemouth have a very potent strike force, but against that they have a woeful defence. It is difficult for us to see where the goals are coming from, but maybe Cleverley will add something to our attacking players. I seem to be doing much better in the prediction league now that I have stopped going for a win for us each week.