MATCHDAY LIVE - Watford 2 Wanderers 1

Updated 4:58pm Saturday 2nd February 2013 in Sport By Marc Iles

This live event has finished

4:58pm

All over. Poor result for Wanderers.

4:56pm

De Ridder booked

4:55pm

Just noticed that I put Cassetti and not Abdi as the Watford goalscorer. Ooops.

4:53pm

4:53pm

Five mins added time, but Watford looking stronger.

4:49pm

Ricketts  booked foul on Battocchio

4:46pm

4:39pm Sat 2 Feb 13

tokyodave says

Sheff Wed 3-1 up, Pboro 2-1 up, Barnsley 1-1 playing 10 men, Ipswich 4-0 up...could be 3 pts off bottom 3 by 5pm

4:45pm

4:45pm

Wanderers have just messed up a free kick. Alonso and Craig Davies the culprits.

4:45pm

Internet going slow now...

4:43pm

Good tricks from De Ridder. Decent start from the Belgian.

4:38pm

Vydra heads over the top. Ref had played on after Ricketts left Pudil sprawling on edge of box.

4:37pm

Eagles (de Ridder), C Davies (Vela), K Davies (Sordell)

4:36pm

Spearing booked for a foul on Vydra

4:36pm

De Ridder, Kev Davies and Craig Davies coming on

4:32pm

Cassetti buries one in the bottom corner after Vydra had squared the ball to him on penalty spot.

4:31pm

Cassetti scores for Watford

4:28pm

Pratley being booed with every touch after his little exchange.

4:27pm

Cassetti and Pratley booked

4:26pm

Little scuffle going on at opposite end of the pitch from us. Vyrdra and Knight are in the middle of it.

4:21pm

Ream redeems himself with a brilliant block on Vydra's shot.

4:21pm

Chungy cuts it back for Sordell, who hits a first time shot against the post.

4:20pm

Wanderers subs back out warming up. Could imagine DF calling for one or more of them soon. Watford threatening to run away with it

4:17pm

Good bit of football from Watford ends with Pudil driving a shot into the side netting. Ricketts got a touch.

4:15pm

 13,223 fans here today. 787 from Bolton.

4:13pm

Vela didn't get in the game much in the first half, but we're starting to see a bit more of him now.

4:12pm

4:11pm

Abdi fires at goal. Spearing just got a touch to divert it wide.

4:09pm

Spearing drives through midfield and hits a left footed shot that bounced off the outside of the post.

4:08pm

And just realised I left my hat in the press room. [insert expletive]

4:06pm

 
Sordell needs a bit more help.

4:06pm

 
He didn't have a good first half.

3:49pm

Half tiime. Decent performance so far, tinged with disappointment over the Watford goal. Poor one to give away. I'm off for a soup and a warm for five mins...

3:48pm

One minute of added time. Watford have shaded the first half in honesty, but there isn't much in it.

3:46pm

3:43pm

 
That'll certainly be asked now, won't it? DF said he was match fit.

3:42pm

 
Looks like 3-5-2, wing-backs.

3:41pm

3:39pm

Very poor from Ream there. Think he stumbled as Vydra turned him on the edge of the box but it was a great finish.

3:38pm

Vydra equalises.

3:37pm

 
Both me and Trev Baxter appealed in the press box. So, yes!

3:36pm

Eagles curls a free kick round the wall, held by Almunia.

3:35pm

Fair play to Sordell there, the penalty seems to take an age to organise, and right in front of the home fans.

3:34pm

Marvin Sordell sends Almunia the wrong way

3:33pm

Pudil's foul. Sordell to take.

3:33pm

Penalty. Foul on Ricketts

3:32pm

Bottocchio curls a shot just wide from the edge of the box. Watford looking more incisive now.

3:29pm

Pudil does well to hook a deep cross back for Chalboah, who lifts a chipped shot just over the bar.

3:27pm

There is definitely a mistake in Watford. Quite a few risks being taken at the back.

3:25pm

Almunia heads away Spearing's long ball. Sordell was sniffing round for a chance.

3:22pm

Only one good chance of note so far, and Bogdan bailed Ream out with a good save from Deeney.

3:21pm

Eagles very nearly played Chungy in there. Wanderers starting to produce some football.

As I write that, Eagles blasts just over the bar from Ricketts' ball in.

3:18pm

Away fans in good voice early on.

3:18pm

 
Got a great reception from the big stand behind the goal. He's started OK, held the ball up well, but there hasn't been that much service so far.

3:14pm

Bogdan comes to Wanderers' rescue, blocking Deeney's shot with his legs. Ream's pass had put Vela in trouble.

3:13pm

Wanderers have got Watford rattled early on. Breaking play up well.

3:11pm

 
Looking around 800

3:07pm

Watford struggle to clear. Eagles plays ball to Pratley, who fires shot well over the bar.

3:04pm

Chungy got himself in a decent position on far post there, headed Eagles' cross back but Watford cleared.

3:03pm

We're off. Wanderers kicking away from travelling fans.

3:02pm

Can't remember the last time Wanderers played in all white. Must have been in Big Sam's day.

3:01pm

Great reception for Sordell as his name read out before kick-off.

2:59pm

2:58pm

Wanderers in ALL WHITE.

2:58pm

 
They've left it very late, but I came across an interesting stat before.
In 2004, Crystal Palace were one point better off than Wanderers going into their 29th game against Watford. They won 5-1 and ended up reaching the play-offs, beating West Ham. On the scoresheet at Vicarage Road that day was a certain Dougie Freedman!

2:56pm

 
The hat thing.

2:56pm

2:51pm Sat 2 Feb 13

boltonnut says

Iv'e lost count of the recent signings and loans bolton have recently negotiated,If they are that good I hope they get a chance to play.I don't see to many in todays line up,same old same old.good luck whites.

2:55pm

 
Very precise. Happy to go along with it, though.

2:54pm

Watford's mascot has just done a skit, which I assume mocked the Swansea ball boy incident I mentioned earlier...

2:50pm

2:46pm

 
Stu is fine. His ankle is a bit sore after a two-footed tackle by a man named Evans (where have I heard that before?). But you don't keep a good fella down for long.
I'm quite optimistic today after the performance against Everton. Going for Sordell to score in a 2-0 win.

2:45pm

 
It could be that international clearance hasn't come through for him to play. Freedman did say he would take time to get match fit - he's been on a 22-day winter break in Serbia.

2:43pm

A very polite round of applause as Marvin Sordell's name read out on the tannoy. Nice to hear.

2:42pm

 
Lonergan did well in the cup, so he'll be disappointed. But I am not as down on Adam as some people have been. I don't think he has been playing too badly.

2:41pm

 
Mark Davies is fit, I'm led to believe, but only returns back to training on Monday. Think it will be a month before Wheats is back in full contention.

2:40pm

Marvin Sordell's big day. Leading the line on his own. How do you think he'll do? Tweet me @MarcIles or fill in the message box below.

2:38pm

2:27pm Sat 2 Feb 13

Rememberscarborough says

Subs bench made up of two wingers and three centre forwards - not much scope for change if we need a creative midfielder. What's happened to Mavies?

Mark Davies back in full training on Monday.

2:37pm

Sun just peeping over the opposite stand. Shudder to think what temperature it is going to be when it dips down.

2:31pm

The press box is contained within an abandoned stand too. May have to act as ball boy at some point. Hope I don't get kicked.

2:30pm

My typing skills are going to get a thorough examination today. Freezing cold hands, and Watford have players like Chalboah, Battocchio and Vydra...

2:26pm

Now made my way up to the press box. Not one of the better views.

2:16pm

Subs: Bond, Eustace, Hogg, Murray, Nosworthy, Geijo, Forestieri

2:13pm

Watford: Almunia, Hall, Deeney, Doyley, Pudil, Vydra, Abdi, Cassetti, Battocchio, Chalobah, Ekstrand

2:12pm

Just in case you missed it earlier, Stuart Holden limped out of the development squad game last night at Hyde United. He's OK, though, and only has minor ankle bruising and cuts.

2:09pm

Three new signings on the bench, and Gregg Wylde. Only one change to the starting 11, though, in goal. Adam Bogdan for Andy Lonergan.

2:07pm

Wanderers team - Bogdan, Ricketts, Knight, Ream, Alonso, Spearing, Vela, Chung-Yong, Pratley, Eagles, Sordell

Subs - Lonergan, C Davies, De Ridder, Ngog, K Davies, Dawson, Wylde

2:05pm

Good afternoon folks. Few computer problems have held me up, but we're up and running now!

Comments (11)

2:27pm Sat 2 Feb 13

Rememberscarborough says...

Subs bench made up of two wingers and three centre forwards - not much scope for change if we need a creative midfielder. What's happened to Mavies?
Subs bench made up of two wingers and three centre forwards - not much scope for change if we need a creative midfielder. What's happened to Mavies? Rememberscarborough

2:45pm Sat 2 Feb 13

kieth57 says...

Bogden back in for Lonergan. bad bad bad decision Dougie
Bogden back in for Lonergan. bad bad bad decision Dougie kieth57

2:51pm Sat 2 Feb 13

boltonnut says...

Iv'e lost count of the recent signings and loans bolton have recently negotiated,If they are that good I hope they get a chance to play.I don't see to many in todays line up,same old same old.good luck whites.
Iv'e lost count of the recent signings and loans bolton have recently negotiated,If they are that good I hope they get a chance to play.I don't see to many in todays line up,same old same old.good luck whites. boltonnut

4:36pm Sat 2 Feb 13

swager123 says...

its looking like freedman is worse than coyle, we wont see the prem for at least 10yrs what a discrace !!!
its looking like freedman is worse than coyle, we wont see the prem for at least 10yrs what a discrace !!! swager123

4:39pm Sat 2 Feb 13

tokyodave says...

Sheff Wed 3-1 up, Pboro 2-1 up, Barnsley 1-1 playing 10 men, Ipswich 4-0 up...could be 3 pts off bottom 3 by 5pm
Sheff Wed 3-1 up, Pboro 2-1 up, Barnsley 1-1 playing 10 men, Ipswich 4-0 up...could be 3 pts off bottom 3 by 5pm tokyodave

5:14pm Sat 2 Feb 13

steveG says...

We've made our bed and it looks like we'll be lying in it for a good few years.
It's looking now like a retrograde step dismissing Owen Coyle.
The signings made this week just perpetuate the downward trend in quality of the last two years and it wont be long before we see the back of the likes of Wheater,Kevin Davies and Holden.Even Alonso who's hardly been Mr consistency since he arrived can't wait to leave.
We've made our bed and it looks like we'll be lying in it for a good few years. It's looking now like a retrograde step dismissing Owen Coyle. The signings made this week just perpetuate the downward trend in quality of the last two years and it wont be long before we see the back of the likes of Wheater,Kevin Davies and Holden.Even Alonso who's hardly been Mr consistency since he arrived can't wait to leave. steveG

7:12pm Sat 2 Feb 13

davroduk1 says...

4 points from relegation.
Bolton have more chance of being in Div 1 than the Prem.
Its sad for me to see the position that the club are in, but I did predict last season that the club would "drop like a stone" through the divisions, and it would seem that my prediction is right.
Mr Gartside, you have a lot to answer for.
4 points from relegation. Bolton have more chance of being in Div 1 than the Prem. Its sad for me to see the position that the club are in, but I did predict last season that the club would "drop like a stone" through the divisions, and it would seem that my prediction is right. Mr Gartside, you have a lot to answer for. davroduk1

10:23pm Sat 2 Feb 13

Reebok Al says...

Most managers claim they needed to reorganize their new clubs from top to bottom, and Dougie Freedman would be justified in saying it. This season is a write-off and he's preparing for August. As far as contracts are concerned, of course he's right to wait until Stuart Holden has proved his fitness, but I have the feeling that Kevin Davies might not figure in his future plans. Big Kev has not been as effective in the last couple of seasons, which is to be expected as he's in his mid-thirties and has taken a lot of knocks. Then again, it could be said that his fellow players have been pretty ineffective. Whatever happens, he will always be remembered as a true Wanderer who gave his all for the club. If others had put in half the effort he has, we would be in a far better position today.
Most managers claim they needed to reorganize their new clubs from top to bottom, and Dougie Freedman would be justified in saying it. This season is a write-off and he's preparing for August. As far as contracts are concerned, of course he's right to wait until Stuart Holden has proved his fitness, but I have the feeling that Kevin Davies might not figure in his future plans. Big Kev has not been as effective in the last couple of seasons, which is to be expected as he's in his mid-thirties and has taken a lot of knocks. Then again, it could be said that his fellow players have been pretty ineffective. Whatever happens, he will always be remembered as a true Wanderer who gave his all for the club. If others had put in half the effort he has, we would be in a far better position today. Reebok Al

9:24am Sun 3 Feb 13

Wigan Trotter says...

The rot set in under Megson, so don't blame Coyle or Friedman.

The people to blame are Gartside and the board and
The rot set in under Megson, so don't blame Coyle or Friedman. The people to blame are Gartside and the board and Wigan Trotter

10:47am Sun 3 Feb 13

BigDave1985 says...

Getting rid of jussi and ali-habsi was were we started going wrong and putting faith into a ginger kid!
Getting rid of jussi and ali-habsi was were we started going wrong and putting faith into a ginger kid! BigDave1985

12:47pm Sun 3 Feb 13

Beyond News Forum says...

Entirely down to investment? I'm going to make statements from two both of the fence so forgive me if this sounds a tad schizophrenic. Every club that has succeeded in the premiership have spent wisely and kept managers for many years not 1 or 2 years. BWFC have consistently not protected the better player contracts and sold them off cheaply or had to let them go. I've said it before that there is no speculation to accumulate within the board. This is not down to bad management, even Fergie would have a lot of trouble at Wanderers due to the way things have been. Now that brings me onto another point where the board must be forgiven for not spending cash - the club board simply cannot be blamed for everything but you could argue that if fans came to the ground and filled up the stadium then cash would be freed up eventually - again you could argue that if we saw major investment and talent at the stadium then fans would turn up. Kind of a double edged sword when you think about it. I will tell you what i know as a fact in the Championship - after all the bills have been paid after a match that see's 15,000 fans turn up, there is a profit of around £200,000 - £250,000 depending again on certain factors such as concourse turnover at the bars and food outlets and staff wages, player capital, program, sales, energy bills that are not cheap on a monthly basis and so on. It is not much in reality so you can see as a fan what BWFC are up against, this does not even take into account the debt the club are in. The board will say the debt is not a real worry when in fact behind closed doors in the directors suite the conversations are very much different. BWFC need that TV cash next season, you can argue that a £60-million windfall is worth an extra investment of £20-million into the club to take a punt on getting the club back into the Premier League, unfortunately the board are being very wise in their stance because the club do not have the fan base of Man United that will turn up no matter what league we are playing in. We do not want to see our club do a Portsmouth. It really is a shame that supporters of the club cannot see the facts from the other side as they are. If fans could afford to turn up week in week out and fill the stadium through thick and thin then maybe we wouldn't be in the position the club is in but it would not be fair to blame fans in this way. I could bang on all afternoon on this subject as i have been privileged to know a little about the club from the inside in the past. I hope i have helped some people understand. We now have to look at grassroots and start from a blank canvass as a team that starts not just on the football pitch but in all elements of the club which is where the importance of the fans come into things. Yes we are angry and frustrated, yes we all want a great team and performances - but at the same time we all need to get together and stop kicking the club in the teeth when it is down. Things will get better i am confident of that. So let's stop the booing, get back down to the ground and support our beloved team through thick and thin no matter what is happening on the pitch. "We are the one and only Wanderers!" let's not let other football clubs and their fans forget that. Thank you.
Entirely down to investment? I'm going to make statements from two both of the fence so forgive me if this sounds a tad schizophrenic. Every club that has succeeded in the premiership have spent wisely and kept managers for many years not 1 or 2 years. BWFC have consistently not protected the better player contracts and sold them off cheaply or had to let them go. I've said it before that there is no speculation to accumulate within the board. This is not down to bad management, even Fergie would have a lot of trouble at Wanderers due to the way things have been. Now that brings me onto another point where the board must be forgiven for not spending cash - the club board simply cannot be blamed for everything but you could argue that if fans came to the ground and filled up the stadium then cash would be freed up eventually - again you could argue that if we saw major investment and talent at the stadium then fans would turn up. Kind of a double edged sword when you think about it. I will tell you what i know as a fact in the Championship - after all the bills have been paid after a match that see's 15,000 fans turn up, there is a profit of around £200,000 - £250,000 depending again on certain factors such as concourse turnover at the bars and food outlets and staff wages, player capital, program, sales, energy bills that are not cheap on a monthly basis and so on. It is not much in reality so you can see as a fan what BWFC are up against, this does not even take into account the debt the club are in. The board will say the debt is not a real worry when in fact behind closed doors in the directors suite the conversations are very much different. BWFC need that TV cash next season, you can argue that a £60-million windfall is worth an extra investment of £20-million into the club to take a punt on getting the club back into the Premier League, unfortunately the board are being very wise in their stance because the club do not have the fan base of Man United that will turn up no matter what league we are playing in. We do not want to see our club do a Portsmouth. It really is a shame that supporters of the club cannot see the facts from the other side as they are. If fans could afford to turn up week in week out and fill the stadium through thick and thin then maybe we wouldn't be in the position the club is in but it would not be fair to blame fans in this way. I could bang on all afternoon on this subject as i have been privileged to know a little about the club from the inside in the past. I hope i have helped some people understand. We now have to look at grassroots and start from a blank canvass as a team that starts not just on the football pitch but in all elements of the club which is where the importance of the fans come into things. Yes we are angry and frustrated, yes we all want a great team and performances - but at the same time we all need to get together and stop kicking the club in the teeth when it is down. Things will get better i am confident of that. So let's stop the booing, get back down to the ground and support our beloved team through thick and thin no matter what is happening on the pitch. "We are the one and only Wanderers!" let's not let other football clubs and their fans forget that. Thank you. Beyond News Forum

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