Hornet’s Beaten Again

IT`S no longer a case of ‘being dragged into it`; it`s now most definitely a case of ‘struggling to get out of it`; struggling in vain against the Championship quicksand dragging us rapidly towards League One

Defeat tonight at Sheffield Wednesday sees the host`s leapfrog the Hornet`s sending Malky`s men to 21st in the league table, just three points ahead of 22nd placed Crystal Palace – thank the lord for their points deduction eh?!

Malky Mackay was able to re-call skipper Jay DeMerit following injury whilst Henri Lansbury was still sidelined with a back problem. Ross Jenkins was able to continue alongside John Eustace in spite of taking a whack on the ankle in the defeat at Cardiff.

Having already grabbed an equalizer from loanee Eddie Nolan`s opener through a Tom Cleverley free-kick, the Hornet`s managed to throw away a hard-earned point in the 89th minute, another loanee, Derby County`s Luke Varney grabbing Wednesday a priceless three points at the death as Watford switched off.

Whether Malky is the right man or not, the following is definite: we have nine games of the season left; two more than Sheffield Wednesday and one more than both Palace and Plymouth with games against both to play at the Vic` still. Evidently our away form is terrible, and we haven`t even been that handy at home in the past couple of months so games against relegation rivals are absolutely immeasurably important. That said it may not be enough with tough games against Middlesbrough, West Brom, high-flying Coventry and Leicester. Tight games against Q.P.R, Reading and Preston who have all been inconsistent really could swing either way.

With regards to Malky Mackay`s position, there is no point in changing manager`s now – who would want it? Can we afford to sack Malky? Who is even available anyway? With nine games to play fundamental changes are not the answer, we have to simply get behind the boys and make the most of what we`ve got, starting with Gordon Strachan`s Middlesbrough at the Vic` on Saturday.

I would be intrigued to hear from some members of the anti-Malky party and get some answers to the above questions, persuade me as to why we need to part with the Scot. Personally, I`m undecided, as recently as February I was fully behind him but now I`m beginning to sway?

Leaving exciting and virtually unknown (at this level) winger, Will Buckley on the bench until the 91st minute when we`d been tied at 1-1 for 25 minutes. Bringing Jay DeMerit back in after praising the partnership of Martin Taylor and Aidy Mariappa, especially when considering the up-and-down, mostly down, season the skipper has had.

We await Mr Mackay`s post-match comments.

Sheffield Wednesday: Grant; Spurr, Purse (c), Beevers, Nolan; Miller (Clarke), Potter, O`Connor, Soares (Jeffers); Tudgay and Varney (Gray).

Watford: Loach; Mariappa, DeMerit (c), Taylor, Doyley; Cowie (Buckley), Jenkins (Harley), Eustace, Cleverley; Hoskins (Graham) and Helguson.

Referee:Mr D Deadman