Watford v Leicester City

[Steven]

The view from the Opposition.

December Sat 4 15:00 H Leicester City FLC

FOCUS ON THE FOXES
Fri 03 Dec 2010

LEICESTER CITY lay one place above the Hornets in the table, but travel to The Vic in high confidence thanks to an impressive start to life at The Walkers for manager Sven-Goran Eriksson.

The former Lazio and Manchester City boss has achieved five wins out of his first nine games in charge. The Foxes carried on their momentum on Monday night with a 1-0 victory against local rivals Nottingham Forest.

Despite their recent good form, they are only one place and point above The Golden Boys in the table. Five points in either direction would see them either in the relegation zone or in the play-off positions - it just shows how open a league the npower Championship is.

After Monday nights win, the Foxes' Swedish boss is likely to name an unchanged team; including four big-name signings, three of which are on loan.

The Leicester boss has added experience to his attack in former Villa man Darius Vassell and West Brom target man Roman Bednar. Vassell joined City on a free transfer and is yet to score despite looking dangerous in his first five games. Bednar made his debut on Monday night against Forest looks odds-on to start tomorrow.

Tottenham's Kyle Naughton has also joined the Foxes on loan. The young defender - who made 13 appearances on loan at Middlesborough last year - will be at the club until January. He has already played nine matches.

The last of Leicester City's big-name signings is Curtis Davies. The Villa man has fallen down the pecking order under first Martin O'Neill then Gerard Houllier so signed on loan to get some playing time. After playing four games he extended his one month loan deal until January. His Premier League experience could be crucial if Sven's men are going to mount a promotion bid.

The man to watch, despite all the recent big names through the door, is Andy King. The former Leicester trainee had scored three goals in his last four games, including the winner on Monday.

The last time these two met was back in April. The Foxes will be looking for a repeat of their dominant 4-1 win, thanks to goals from Martyn Waghorn, Paul Gallagher, Jay Spearing, and James Vaughan. Martin Taylor grabbed a late consolation.

Back at The Vic, the previous fixture ended in a six-goal thriller. The Hornets were two down in the first half, but a second half fight-back - including two goals from Heidar Helguson - saw the home side turn the game on its head.

However, the great comeback wasn't to be seen out. Dany N'Guessan was the man to break Watford hearts that day.

Let's just hope for a similar spectacle on Saturday, without a repeat of that unwanted late drama.

 

[Macky]

I admire the level of responsibility you've accepted Steven, it's good to see you stand up and be counted. You're an inspiration to all of us.

 

[Steven]

The view from the OS. :icon_bigg

Match Preview: Watford
Posted on: Thu 02 Dec 2010

Venue: Vicarage Road, Watford
Competition: npower Championship
Date/Kick Off: Saturday, December 4, 15.00
Coverage: Foxes Player CLICK HERE and 104.9FM BBC Radio Leicester
npower-championship

The Foxes travel to Watford on Saturday on the back of an impressive 1-0 victory over rivals Nottingham Forest.

City dominated the game at the Walkers Stadium on Monday, despite the visitors having the brighter start. Forest's best chance in the game came mid-way through the first half, when a Curtis Davies header fell to Rob Earnshaw, but Chris Weale was alert to save the shot.

Darius Vassell nearly opened his account for the club, but his effort was cleared off the line by Luke Chambers.

Vassell had a major role to play for the match winning goal, when he superbly took the ball past three Forest defenders in the box before then squaring the ball for Andy King to tap home.

The win moved the Foxes up to 14th position in the npower Championship table, just five points away from the play-off zone.

Sven-Goran Eriksson will be looking for his team to bring all three points back to the Walkers Stadium on Saturday and build on the dominant display against Nottingham Forest.

After a solid start to the campaign, Watford have fallen away from the chasing pack somewhat and are currently winless in the last six, drawing three and losing three.

Their last outing was a goalless draw away to Barnsley. In a game that the home side dominated, Watford were lucky to come away with a point after the tykes hit both posts and had numerous good chances to take all three points from the visitors.

Malky Mackay will be looking for his side to return to winning ways sooner rather than later to prevent being sucked into a relegation battle.

Overall (all competitions)
Leicester City: 20
Draw: 16
Watford: 12

Last 3 Matches (all competitions)
17.04.2010 - LCFC 4-1 Watford
Goal Scorer(s): Waghorn, Gallagher, Spearing, Vaughan/Taylor
Championship
Attendance: 24,765

19.09.2009 - Watford 3-3 LCFC
Goal Scorer(s): Graham, Helgusonx2/Fryatt x2, NGuessan
Championship
Attendance: 14,647

12.02.2008 - Watford 1-0 LCFC
Goal Scorer(s): Henderson
Championship
Attendance: 15,944

LEICESTER CITY vs WATFORD

Ticket prices: Adults £25.00, Seniors/Students/16-19 yrs old £15.00, Under 16's £10.00.

Selling details

This fixture is ALL TICKET. 300 tickets are remaining and will be available until 11am on Saturday from the Main Ticket Office.

Fox Travel

Fox Travel is now sold out.

One to Watch - Danny Graham moved to Vicarage road in the summer of 2009 after his contract at Carlisle expired.

Graham started his career with Middlesbrough before moving on to Derby County. His other previous clubs include Leeds United, Blackpool and Carlisle.

Since joining Malky Mackay's side, Graham has been a crucial source of goals for the Hornets, scoring 14 goals in 37 appearances. He is their current top scorer so far this term, scoring seven in the in the npower Championship and two in the League Cup.

Game: Leicester City 4 - 1 Watford
Goal Scorers: Waghorn, Gallagher, Spearing, Vaughan/Taylor
Competition: Championship
Date: 17.04.2010
Attendance: 24, 765

In the 35th minute, City took the lead when Richie Wellens was downed in a challenge from Jay DeMerit in the area and the referee, rather hesitatingly, pointed to the spot with Waghorn sending Loach the wrong way for the opener.

It was a jolt for Watford and five minutes later it was worse for them when, after a Howard shot had been blocked, Gallagher latched onto the rebound and blasted home a superb volley.

But in first-half stoppage time, City's strong position was reduced when Howard was red-carded for a challenge on Ross Jenkins, leaving the Foxes a man down for the second half.

At the break, City replaced Gallagher with James Vaughan and were soon on the attack, forcing two corners in succession which came to nothing before City stretched their lead in the51st minute when, after an initial attack had been repelled, Spearing stepped in to fire home a superb volley.

In the 67th minute, a through ball gave Vaughan a chase with Watford defender Adrian Mariappa, the City man winning out and steering a low shot home for a fine finish.

There was still some fight left in the visitors and in the 77th minute they got a consolation goal. A Harley shot was well turned round by Weale and from the corner, substitute Martin Taylor turned the ball home.

 

[Han]

Steven's never afraid to put his neck on the line, like a willing lamb to the slaughter.

Someone has to do these things.

 

[Cate Fox]

Watford

Dont blame me if we lose :icon_lol:

 

[Cate Fox]

oh good, can a mod please delete the one I just started :icon_lol:

 

[fosseboy83]

Re: Watford

we'll blame Steven

 

[Cate Fox]

Re: Watford

I've just seen it :icon_lol:

 

[Polar Bear]

Very pleased to say that I'm going to this one.

 

[Nottingham Fox]

Very pleased to say that I'm going to this one.

Can you let us know what you're likely to be wearing, just so we know to avoid you ....

 

[lanxfox jnr]

1-0 Leicester

 

[bocadillo]

Can you let us know what you're likely to be wearing, just so we know to avoid you ....

I already know what Polar Bear looks like; he's LB.

 

[LES Fox]

I admire the level of responsibility you've accepted Steven, it's good to see you stand up and be counted. You're an inspiration to all of us.

..most inspired thread since Hoddle's suit jacket on Top of the Pops

 

[Blue Maniac]

1-0 Leicester

That was quick. First goal I've missed in nearly three years.

 

[dpjfox]

same team, expecting/hoping for 0-2 win Vassell Bednar

 

[lanxfox]

I'm expecting it to be called off

 

[Blue Maniac]

I'm expecting it to be called off

Why?

 

[Macky]

Why?

A polar bear has wandered into the stadium or summat. I read it on here, it must be true.

 

[Blue Maniac]

A polar bear has wandered into the stadium or summat. I read it on here, it must be true.

I thought it was a fictitious sumo wrestler?

 

[FryattFox]

I thought it was a fictitious sumo wrestler?

It turned out to be our new signing, Robbie Keane, in a polar bear costume.