WATFORD will look to bounce back from the disappointment of Saturday`s draw against Charlton Athletic when they host newly-promoted Doncaster Rovers on Saturday.
Rovers returned to the Championship at the first time of asking, following the debacle that was the Willie McKay experiment during the 2011/12 season.
The agent used his contacts book to bring in a number of experienced players used to playing at a significantly higher level in on short-term deals, with the idea being that they would be sold on at a profit. It didn`t work out and Rovers were relegated.
Last season was equally odd for the Yorkshire outfit, who lost manager Dean Saunders to Wolves at the turn of the year.
Scout Brian Flynn was appointed as Saunders` successor and in a highly-memorable final day shoot-out against promotion rivals Brentford, Billy Paynter`s last-second winner saw Donny promoted as Champions of League One.
Rovers fans will be hoping for a less bumpy ride this season as they attempt to avoid relegation back to League One under the stewardship of Paul Dickov.
The former Oldham Athletic boss was relieved of his duties by the Latics in February of this year, with the club hovering dangerously close to the drop zone. Despite his side`s F.A Cup heroics during his two-and-a-half-seasons at Boundary Park, there are undoubtedly questions to be asked of the 40 year-old`s pedigree.
Dickov replaced the hugely-popular Flynn over the summer, with the legendary Welsh youth coach (now Director of Football) electing to step down following promotion and return to his favoured job of player recruitment and development.
Rovers have been active in the transfer market following promotion, bringing a handful of big names to the Keepmoat Stadium.
Former Chelsea and Middlesbrough goalkeeper, Ross Turnbull, has replaced last season`s No.1 and current Hornet, Gary Woods.
Turnbull, 28, arrives after making just 18 appearances for Chelsea in all competitions during his three-year stay at Stamford Bridge.
With only 103 career league starts, the 6ft3in gloveman is making up for lost time after a host of loan moves during his time with first employers Middlesbrough.
In front of Turnbull is Tottenham Hotspur centre-back Bongani Khumalo. The South African international has never played for the north Londoners, following a 2011 switch from South African side, Supersport United.
Loan stints with Preston North End and Reading have provided marginally less limited game time, but a move to the Keepmoat appears to have proved just the tonic for the 6ft2in, 26 year-old defender.
The latest Premier League addition to Dickov`s squad is Manchester United forward Federico ‘Kiko` Macheda.
Macheda, 22, is another in last-chance saloon after failed loan spells with Sampdoria, Queens Park Rangers and Stuttgart.
The Italian spent part of last term on-loan with Bundesliga side Stuttgart, but made just 14 substitute appearances totalling 190 minutes of first-team football; three outings with QPR amounted to just 33 minutes.
Best-remembered for two significant strikes for United in the 2008/09 title race, Macheda has just four career league goals from 50 appearances – 42 of those coming from the bench.
Dickov will be without experienced centre-half Jamie McCombe, whilst summer signing Marc De Val Fernandez is working his way back from a pre-season injury.
Gianfranco Zola will hope to welcome back Lloyd Doyley after the Jamaica international missed Saturday`s draw after flying back from international duty. Marco Cassetti would be most likely to give way.
Ikechi Anya is another who should be brought back in following injury & could take Davide Faraoni`s place on the right.
Joel Ekstrand and Almen Abdi both missed the visit of the Addicks; Abdi with a knock and Ekstrand for an unknown reason.
Zola will also have to decide whether or not to stick with the 3-4-3 system used against Charlton or revert to 3-5-2 once more.
Predicted line-ups:
Watford: Almunia (capt); Doyley, Angella, Belkalem; Anya, Iriney, Abdi, Pudil; Forestieri, Deeney & Fabbrini.
Doncaster Rovers: Turnbull; Wabara, Khumalo, Jones, Husband; Coppinger, Keegan, Wellens, Cotterill; Robinson & Brown.
Referee: Mr D Drysdale
Kick-off: 19:45pm
Radio: BBC 3CR & Hornets Player
Highlights: Hornets Player
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