Watford v Doncaster

WATFORD
V

DONCASTER ROVERS

The first return fixture of the season is already upon us as Donny make the trip down to Watford for their last game of 2011.  

Since we met at the 'moat a month ago, Watford have gained 7 more points to Rovers' 6 at the end of the table where every point will be vital come May.  At the rate both teams have gained points over the last month, the New Year's resolutions are likely to be similar.  "MUST DO BETTER!".

WATFORD

We'll have our usual level of information about the opposition an will prepare accordingly.  There might be one or two twists or tweaks that Doncaster will throw at us but that's to be expected - Sean Dyce

Watford may have picked up just one more point than Doncaster since our last meeting, but they haven't been beaten in 7 games.  They have become something of draw specialists so getting the win against Watford will be a tall order.

Predectably, I watched three draws when reviewing Watford's performances.  The first from Boxing Day against Cardiff (1-1), then at Blackpool (0-0) and finally the home draw against Leeds (1-1).



Marvin Sordell - Improved



Two players stuck out as quality opponents for Rovers.  Marvin Sordell has undoubtedly developed further in Danny Graham's absence and is Watford's major threat.  The other is veteran Michael Kightly who first came to my attention due to his keeping Michael McIndoe out of the Wolves starting line up.  Kightly has still got it as his goal against Leeds very well demonstrated.

As you would expect from a side that is drawing a lot of games, the defence looks very decent.  A little like Rovers though, they are prone to the isolated mistake, which is probably why the Hornets are drawing and not winning.  I only saw one moment where the defence got it all wrong.  A run down the right from Cardiff caused the whole of the defence to be sucked into onw half of the pitch.  Thankfully for Watford, the ball Cardiff needed didn't happen.

Looking Watford's attacking prowess, I think its fair to say that they can break quickly.  I thought they were lacking imagination in the final third though.,  I often saw runs being made or good balls being available but the opportunities weren't used.  Just a wee bit more vision is necessary.

DONCASTER ROVERS

The players are in good shape for Watford, they're fitter than ever and we're battling as much as we've ever been because the players have realised they have to do the 'ugly' side of things to win  - Dean Saunders 

It's been a year that I all Donny fans will be happy to see end after winning just 8 games.  Its certainly been a momentous year for Rovers.  A year of such stark change will seldom occur at any football claub.

That home tie against the Hornets in November was exactly the type of game that Rovers have to win if they are to get out of their current situation.  Since then, they have been great at home, beating Southampton and Leicester but they haven't been able to match it on their travels.  Up until Boxing Day, it could have been referred to as just slipping up or failing to hold an advantage.   Unfortunately, Boxing Day's defeat at Burnley was a reversion to not really turning up.

There was a share of bad luck about it.  Burnley's first was about as bad a penalty decision as you will see and a header from Billy Sharp that came off Burnley's post minutes later probably showed how it wasn't to be Donny's day and they ended up well beaten.

As far as personnel goes, I don't see much changing from the team that lost on Boxing Day as Rovers' are struggling to gain international clearance for their three latest recruits.  This is allegedly because of a lack of people working at FIFA during the holiday period. 

Enjoy the match everybody and the evening's festivities.