Beesotted’s pre-match guide: Watford

INTRODUCTION

Watford’s visit marks the third of our run of four clashes with top seven rivals in six games, in which we’ve so far taken three out of six points.

For Brentford fans of my era, Watford was the original London derby – the only other club from the capital in Division Four.

Since winning promotion together in 1978, the Hornets have spent most of their time in the top two divisions while we have spent most of ours at League One level.

Now however Tuesday’s game could play a big part in deciding if either club may be in the Premier League next season.

Watford’s strength this season has been their goalscoring record with their total of 57 the third highest, behind Bournemouth (62) and MK Dons (60), in the entire Football League.

And they are similar to us in having drawn very few games – only five which is the second lowest figure, along with Fulham, behind our four.

All of the Hornets’ draws came in a seven-game run between the middle of September and mid-October and their form has been mixed since then.

They lost four matches in a row in November but since then have won seven out of 11 – although they were beaten in their last two away games at Bournemouth (2-0) and Huddersfield (3-1).

Things seem to have settled down behind the scenes now at Vicarage Road, where there were four managers by the start of October.

Beppe Sannino started the season as the Watford boss but resigned at the end of August to be replaced by former Brighton boss Oscar Garcia.

Less than a month later he had to step down because of ill health and his former assistant Billy McKinlay took over for two games – the first being their win over us.

He was then sacked to be replaced by current manager Slavisa Jokanovic.

Watford are currently in their eighth consecutive season in the Championship – and 15^th out of the past 17 at this level.

WHO’S THE GAFFER?

Slavisa Jokanovic is a former Chelsea player who had managerial success with Partizan in his native Serbia – leading them to back-to-back league and cup doubles at the end of the last decade.

He spent two seasons at Stamford Bridge and won international caps for both Yugoslavia and Serbia & Montenegro.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Fifteen games have passed since Brentford last beat Watford in any competition.

In those meetings in Division Four, the old Division Three and Division One/Championship as well as the League Cup, the Hornets have won 10 times while there have been five draws between the sides.

The last Bees victory came at Vicarage Road on a memorable Easter Saturday in 1977 as goalkeeper Paul Priddy saved two Watford penalties, one a minute after Andy McCulloch had given us the lead, to secure the points.

That completed the double for us as less than three weeks earlier we had beaten the Hornets 3-0 at Griffin Park with goals in the opening 15 minutes from Gordon Sweetzer (2) and Jackie Graham.

WATFORD SQUAD NEWS

Watford welcomed back midfielder Almen Abdi and striker Fernando Forestieri for Saturday’s game with Blackburn after both had spent time sidelined by hamstring injuries.

Former Spurs goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes has been their regular man between the posts this season, having missed only two of their 29 league games, while on loan Genoa midfielder Daniel Tozser has been involved in every Championship match – starting 26 of them.

Odion Ighalo, who scored his first goal for the Hornets against us in September, has since found the net 11 more times – with nine of those strikes in his last six games, including four in the second half of the recent 7-2 thrashing of Blackpool.

He is likely to partner long-serving Troy Deeney, one goal fewer than him, up front with Matej Vydra, who has scored eight times this season, on the bench.

DID YOU KNOW?

Watford finished as runners-up in the old First Division in 1982/83 just five seasons after being promoted from Division Four.

Twelve months later they reached the FA Cup final, where they lost 2-0 to Everton despite the best efforts of former Bee Steve Sherwood in goal.

IAN WESTBROOK

@ianwestbrook

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Pubs in Brentford

For Watford fans, you are probably aware there plenty of pub options pre-match with four pubs around the ground plus many many more only slightly further afield.

The Griffin (Brook Road South) is closest to the away end and is very popular with away fans – but also gets very busy. The Globe (Windmill Rd .. junction Great West Road) & The Lord Nelson (Enfield Rd) are both incredibly friendly and cozy away-friendly pubs .. frequented by away fans in the know. And are less than 10 mins walk from the ground. These are the three Beesotted preferred boozers.

Other than that, you can check out the other of the 4 corner pubs – The New Inn on the other side of the ground – also popular with away fans, The Princess Royal and The Royal Oak (normally home fans only).

The Plough (Northfields Ave) in Northfields is a decent stop-off if you are coming by tube to Northfields before making your way down to the ground (normally stopping off at The Globe and Lord Nelson en route).

There is also a pub right by Brentford station always referred to as … the Pub by Brentford station.

All pubs are incredibly away-friendly .. you can wear colours … and none of the Brentford pubs (except possibly the Royal Oak sometimes) do bouncers on the door ..

For ale head to the Magpie and Crown real ale pub on Brentford High Street.The Royal Horseguardsman can probably hold 15 of you at a push. The Brewery Tap is a cosy boozer by the river and there is a new pub just opened by Kew Bridge called One Over the Ait which is another pub with lovely river views. There are loads more too.

Parking – start at Windmill Road junction of Clifton Road and work your way up Windmill Rd … any of the roads off Windmill Rd as you head north and over the A4 Great West Road will do .. Many people park in the streets around The Globe and The Lord Nelson.

A quick Google search and you’ll find them all. There are many, many more too.