Watford v Sheffield United - Championship tonight. 20:00 hrs Kick Off.

r00fie1

r00fie1

Well-known member
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* Watford Matchpack

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Opposition​

When Paul Heckingbottom took over at the end of November 2021, the Blades occupied the mid-table positions. A fantastic turnaround and run followed, with the South-Yorkshire outfit losing only five games during the rest of the campaign.

Despite missing out to Nottingham Forest in the play-off semi-finals, Sheffield United will be hoping to find a similar spate of form in order to clinch promotion this time around.

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Key Stats​

  • Watford and Sheffield United have played each other a total of 45 times, with the first meeting in an FA Cup tie in 1960.
  • More than 50 players have worn both the colours red and yellow throughout their careers, including Keith Eddy and Tony Currie.
  • The Hornets’ biggest victory over the Blades came in 1985, 5-0 in the third round of the FA Cup, with Luther Blissett notching four.
Team News

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Head Coach Rob Edwards indicated in his pre-match press conference that the squad that played against Southampton in pre-season remains fit and ready for the upcoming match against the Blades.

The encounter on Monday night will come too soon for new signing Mario Gasper, though.

What Are They Saying:​


Rob Edwards, Watford Head Coach:

“I want to see a team that plays with passion, with energy, with commitment and with bravery.

“It’s been great so far, and the lads have bought into what we are trying to do. They want to be successful as much as we do, and to do that we have to be together as a group.

“I’m well aware that there are a lot of strong teams in the league. I have a lot of respect for the clubs in this league, and there are a lot of strong managers and coaches that we will be up against.

“The Championship is always difficult. It’s going to be a challenge, and every game will bring different challenges. I’m expecting it to be tough for us, but also for anyone playing us. I think it will be competitive and it will be exciting to watch.”

Paul Heckingbottom, Sheffield United manager:

“Looking in from the outside [Rob Edwards] is a different kind of appointment. Rob is someone I know and he has put in the hours on the field coaching.

“He did a great job with Forest Green to get them up and he is someone they have been keeping tabs on. It probably signifies a change of approach from them as a club.

“You look at the Watford players, who they’ve kept, and you would expect them to be up there.”

Head-to-Head​


Overall:

Won: 13
Drawn: 13
Lost: 19

Last Six:

December 2019: Sheffield United 1-1 Watford (Premier League)
October 2019: Watford 0-0 Sheffield United (Premier League)
March 2011: Watford 3-0 Sheffield United (Championship)
October 2010: Sheffield United 0-1 Watford (Championship)
February 2010: Watford 3-0 Sheffield United (Championship)
August 2009: Sheffield United 2-0 Watford (Championship)

Golden Flashback​


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In February 2010, Watford played the Blades at Vicarage Road in the second-tier, winning 3-0. Goals from Tom Cleverley, Heiðar Helguson and Don Cowie secured a memorable three points.

* https://www.watfordfc.com/news/match-pack-watford-v-sheffield-united
 
Hopefully a draw so we remain level with these 2 as they are our promotion rivals these 2. However expect a Watford easy win they have too much quality in that squad still have Sarr
 
Back in April 2021 Watford were promoted to the Premier League>>>>>
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But by May 2022 they were relegated again>>>>>>>
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A 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace condemned Watford to their fourth relegation from the top flight in 22 years.
Their points totals are not of the depths of Sunderland or Derby - but their defence has had more holes that a collander.
Its the old story: too good to be in the Championship [?] but not good enough in the Premiership.
They lost a total of 27 league games and eventually jettisoned 27 players at the end of the season!

metro.co.uk

Watford release 27 players following relegation including Pochettino's son

Ouch.
metro.co.uk metro.co.uk
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Watford - The Managerial Merry-Go-Round.

In the last 20 years, Watford have had a total of 25 Managers [Including Caretaker-Managers].
The latest, Rob Edwards, accepted the poison chalice after the departure of former England Manager Roy Hodgson.
Lets see how long he lasts.(y)

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Be interesting to see how the three relegated sides get on. Normally they would be hot favourites to go straight back up, but all have question marks against them, which is one of the reasons why we think we have a decent shot at automatic promotion if we get our recruitment right (particularly up front). I wonder if Watford will be the best of them. A lot may depend on their transfer business too, particularly if Dennis and Sarr leave (which I would probably expect to happen).
 
Sheffield United

Access to video here>>>>

www.sufc.co.uk

Hecky on Hornets opener

Paul Heckingbottom is under no illusions about the expectation that will be on his side this season, but says he is comfortable with it and is optimistic his players can handle it.
www.sufc.co.uk www.sufc.co.uk

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Paul Heckingbottom is under no illusions about the expectation that will be on his side this season, but says he is comfortable with it and is optimistic his players can handle it.

But for a slow start prior to Heckingbottom's appointment in late November last year the Blades would have arguably been much closer to the top two in the Sky Bet Championship and the manager wants to see his side pick up where they left off this time around.

Heckingbottom knows and expects to see his team challenging in the upper echelons of the second tier, but also outlined who he feels will be United's main rivals, starting with Monday's opponents Watford and Norwich City, both of whom were relegated from the Premier League last season.

There will be typically numerous other teams who have realistic hopes of closing the gap though, but for now United are focused solely on facing the Hornets, with former Forest Green Rovers boss Rob Edwards set for his first competitive game at Vicarage Road.
 
Two average teams so far. Watford look dangerous around the box with little end product, Sheff united huff and puff and little quality.
 
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