Match Day Thread Watford v Crystal Palace

please log in to view this image

THE FA CUP SEMI-FINAL

please log in to view this image

please log in to view this image

VENUE: Wembley Stadium
DATE: 24th April 2016
KICK OFF: 16.00 BST

please log in to view this image

The Football Association Challenge Cup to give it the official name is the oldest official football competition played in the world, starting in the 1871-72 season. Winners receive the FA Cup trophy, of which there have been two designs and five actual cups; the latest is a 2014 replica of the second design, introduced in 1911.
​

Crystal Palace have been in one Cup final back in 1990 when they faced Manchester United. After extra time the match finished 3-3 and five days later the two teams returned to Wembley where a single goal won the game for United. It was the first season back in the top flight after nearly a decade away for Palace.

You have to go back to the 1983-4 season for Watford's only Cup final where they faced Everton losing 2-0. A single goal by George Reilly in the semi-final at Villa Park meant that Watford rather than Plymouth Argyle went to the final.

So we have two teams who are hoping they will have the chance to return to Wembley and given the opportunity lift the famous cup for the first time.

How did the two teams get to this semi-final?
​

Watford : Crystal Palace

Round 3

Watford 1-0 Newcastle : Southampton 1-2 Palace:

Round 4

Nottingham Forest 0-1 Watford : Palace 1-0 Stoke:

Round 5

Watford 1-0 Leeds: Tottenham 0-1 Palace:

Round 6

Arsenal 1-2 Watford : Reading 0-2 Palace:

please log in to view this image

​

Quique Sanchez Flores speaks ahead of Watford's FA Cup semi-final with Crystal Palace...
WITH Wembley just two days away, Quique Sanchez Flores says there's been a real buzz around the Hornets' training ground as preparations have ramped up for Sunday's FA Cup semi-final with Crystal Palace.

The Watford Head Coach is pleased to have a full squad of players itching to earn their place in the side that starts against the Eagles this weekend, having already surpassed the 40-point mark in the Premier League earlier this week.

"It's one of the biggest matches of the season. We are really happy because we have reached the target in the main objective that we had in the season, so now we are focused on this match," said Sanchez Flores.

"I can feel that all of the players want to play, they want to be there on the list and to participate in the first XI, so you can feel this kind of happiness in the squad.

"I think it's amazing for the Watford fans and for the history of Watford, it's an amazing opportunity to show Watford to every part of the world because there will be a lot of focus on Wembley this weekend in a lot of countries, so we are completely happy to be part of this."

Team news when available:

please log in to view this image

Wherever you are in the world enjoy the Game

please log in to view this image

​

​

 

Good luck to the Golden Boys, I hope you spank their Palarse!

 

Nice one Frenchie, 5*'s from me..

I am a little bit confident about the game and going for a 2-1 Watford victory (I will let you use MY 3-1 for this match H).

Little Miss W_Y has to work before the game, but is going to jump over the fence and sit with me for the match...

 

Lets do ourselves proud on and off the pitch!

Jakubiak and Hoban scored for the Under 21s today - could the former get a place on the bench now Amrabat is banned?

 

Berghuis is going to write his name into Watford FC history. Just saying...

 

Thanks OFH, much olbiged.

Now then, could Watford get to the final? There is a decent chance against Palace but they must be saying the same.

Hope I can get a decent stream for the game.

COYH:COYHCOYH!!!!!!!!!

 

What a great game in the first semi-final. Sorry to see Everton go out as I wanted revenge, but I just hope that we really go for it and get to show Utd that we can play a bit.

 

So maybe we will be 3rd time lucky against Man U if we win tomorrow!

Everton's season summed up nicely - good in attack but missing chances and their defence cost them.

 

Terrific second half in particular. We'll just have to avenge our 2007 semi final defeat...

 

Lots of space for Ighalo to turn in.....

 

Thanks M Frenchie! And thanks w_y ...i'll take that 1-3 prediction, coz let's be honest, it's MINE anyway! . I was really feeling confident about this game until last week..now i have a very bad feeling about it with all the negativity and speculation..i just hope that the players can rise above the media circus and give this one all they've got. I have a feeling it's going to be very loud at both ends this time, i can't wait to walk out of Wembley with no voice!

COYH!!!!!

 

Okay, it's official, i can't sleep!

 

COYH!!!

8 hours of driving for me today..... we must win!!!

 

Have a safe journey Yorkie! Yes we must!

 

Have a super day at Wemberlee!

 

Thank you......

signing off now...

COYH!!!

 

I'm so ****ing nervous! I'm playing it down to my kids, who automatically think Watford will win, that to think of it as a day out, forget the score. Playing it cool to them, but my stomach's churning.
Yes, I 'liked' everything, so what? My fellow Hornets mean the world to me. I'm really looking forward to my kids seeing the sea of gold in West Wembley today. Thank you for being part of that.
COYGB

Mexican, I found keepfootballhonest one the best, hope it works for you. I want to hear you today.

Thanks, dave, for your best wishes. We've been cheering for you in our house.

Inside
Outside

 

OK. Here we go. Leaving sunny (at the moment!) Lincs at 11. Remember 3 years ago coming down the steps at Wembley Park and the butterflies just going. Sure it will be the same today. Was just thinking about the last 3 Villa Park semis I've been to and how we were relatively easily beaten in all of them. Today will be different. We need to give it a right good go and get to the final this time. Hope everybody's got their voices ready to show how we've changed as a club from 3 years ago. We've got players with big game experience now. Let's do it! COYH!

 

Oh dear, how I miss big days like this. Still I can enjoy myself moving some horse manure. Someone on WML is running the London Marathon before he goes to Wembley. In order to get to the game for kick off he has to run his best ever time which should spur him on. Well done to him.

 

We've never done well whenever I've seen the Hornets play CP away from the Vic. Not going today, so perhaps that's a good omen! I hope it's not straw-clutching and that we have a great day!