After our comeback against West Brom after being 1 goal down, the Cherries snatched victory right towards the end of the game to take all 3 points and left Alan Pardew shaking his head in disbelief on the touchline. Then we had another International break and Eddie took his players away to Dubai to a training camp in warmer climes.
Our next game is against a side who have been following us around in different leagues over the years, especially when we were in the lower leagues back in the 1960-70`s. The last five seasons the Cherries and Watford have been in the Championship at the same time and both sides were promoted together into the Premier League with the Cherries pipping Watford to the Championship title. Both Watford and AFCB are in their third season in the Premier league and are on 36 points, AFCB have a better GD and are in 10th place with Watford one place behind. Unless something drastically goes wrong, both sides will be meeting each other for the 4th season in the top flight.
Vicarage Road is the home of Watford, where our side visit next. Amongst their past managers was Bill McGarry who before that was the Cherries player-manager and the only club where he held that role. Vicarage Road has been home to Watford for the last 96 years, a bit younger than Dean Court the home of the Cherries for 108 years. Watford always had British managers, until the 2001-02 season when they employed their first foreign manager, Italian Gianluca Vialli, he replaced the very popular Watford manager Graham Taylor who took on a new challenge at Aston Villa. Vialli lasted one season before getting the sack. Watford then went back to employing British managers, the last one being Sean Dyche who was in charge for the 2011-12 season only, because of change of ownership. The 2012-13 season saw new owners at Watford with the Italian Pozzo family taking over the club and bringing in foreign managers, the first being Gianfranco Zola the likeable Italian. He lasted just over a season and since then Watford have had a number of foreign managers, the latest being Javier Gracia from Spain who took over in January.
In the January transfer window Watford brought in four players. Winger Gerard Deulofeu from Barcelona on loan until the end of the season. Dodi Lukebakio the midfielder from Anderlecht for an undisclosed fee. Didier Ndong the midfield player from Sunderland on loan with a view to a permanent transfer at the end of the season. Young Swedish goalkeeper Pontus Dahlberg for an undisclosed fee from IFK Gothenburg, to where he has returned for the rest of the season.
Since the turn of the year, in January at Vicarage Road, Watford drew 2-2 with Saints. February they beat Chelsea 4-1 and Everton 1-0. So far in March they beat West Brom 1-0. Away from home, in January they lost to Manchester City 3-1, Leicester City 2-0 and drew with Stoke City 0-0. February lost 2-0 at West Ham. So far this month lost 3-0 at Arsenal and 5-0 at Liverpool.
Watford Team News:
They have 8 players out with injuries, including their loan signing from Barcelona Gerard Deulofeu who is out with a fractured foot. They have 3 players out with hamstring injuries, Christian Kabasele, Tom Cleverley and Molla Wague. Other injuries are to Younes Kaboul fractured metatarsal, Nathaniel Chalobah with a knee injury, Jerome Sinclair muscle injury and Tommie Hoban ACL knee injury.
Player to watch: Troy Deeney
Troy Deeney is always a danger, especially at home and has scored 5 goals with 2 assists. The Brazilian Richarlison is another, leads on assists with 4 and also scored 5 goals, of which one was earlier in the season at Dean Court. Will pick Abdoulaye Doucoure their midfield player, also scores goals and has 7 to his name and is the Watford leading scorer, also 2 assists. Been linked with a big money move in the Summer.
AFC Bournemouth Team News:
Simon Francis has a hamstring injury, Adam Smith MCL knee ligament injury, Harry Arter calf strain. Asmir Begovic has a knee injury, but hopefully will be available for Watford.
Player to watch: Callum Wilson
Callum Wilson, hope he can score at Vicarage Road like he did last season. Our leading scorer with 7 and 2 assists. Last scored at our game away at Chelsea. Gone 6 games without a goal since. Must be due one soon.
Match Facts & Stats
In our league games at Vicarage Road in the Premier League they have both been draws. In all our league games at Watford, AFCB have Won 13, Drawn 13 and Lost 24. All competitions, AFCB have Won 37, Drawn 36 and Lost 39. Our last 3 games at Vicarage Road have been draws.
