After scraping past Accrington Stanley on penalties Watford face Phil Parkinson`s Hull City at the ‘Vic looking to claim their first win of the season inside ninety minutes.
Watford Team News:
Owing to the fact Hull City are only twenty-six places below Watford in the footballing pyramid, Aidy Boothroyd is likely to name a side with a mixture of experience and youth.
Matthew Spring is likely to partner Al Bangura in the centre of midfield with Albert Jarrett, Anthony McNamee, Hameur Bouzza, Tommy Smith and Ashley Young vying for places on the flanks.
~Likely Line-up~
Lee
Doyley Mackay Mariappa Powell
Young Bangura Spring McNamee
Henderson Priskin
Subs:
Chamberlain
Stewart
DeMerit
King
Smith
~Carling Cup Hotshots~
?Erm?none
Player to watch: Matthew Spring
Hull City Team News:
With the chance of an upset, Hull City manager Phil Parkinson will be keen to make as few changes as possible however he will be without David Livermore who is sidelined with a knee problem and Stephen McPhee who has an undisclosed problem.
~Likely Line-up~
Myhill
Mills Coles Turner Dawson
Barmby Ashbee Elliott
Bridges Parkin Forster
Subs
Duke
Delaney
Yeates
France
Marney
~Carling Cup Hotshots~
Burgess, Sheriff and Duffy-1
~Key Player Profiles~
Boaz Myhill – The American-born stopper gave a good account of himself last season impressing between the sticks on many an occasion. Since his heroics in the Tigers goal last season Myhill has been linked with a return to the Premiership where he spent a spell with Aston Villa.
Nicky Barmby – The former England winger scored against the Hornets last season as the Tigers slipped to a two-one home defeat at the hands of the Hornets. Now thirty-two the one-time England cap has had his time at the top with Leeds, Everton, Spurs and Liverpool and now appears settled at his hometown club. The evergreen Barmby is comfortable up front or wide in midfield.
Stuart Elliott – A tricky wideman who like Barmby is also capable of playing up front. Elliott has become a Hull hero after guiding the club to two promotions during his time at the KC Stadium. As well as his wing wizardry the diminutive 5`10″ Northern Irish winger is a scored of fantastic goals.
Nicky Forster – The thirty-three year old former Reading forward is now approaching the twilight years of his career and joined the Tigers this summer after spending a frustrating season at Portman Road. Forster moved to Portman Road after his release from Reading and in seventeen league starts was the clubs-leading scorer with just seven goals.
Jon Parkin – ‘The beast` as he is known is Yorkshire has become an instant hit at the KC after his headed winner against Hull`s fierce rivals Leeds last term. Since moving from Macclesfield last January the 6`4″ forward managed only five goals in four months yet is revered by the KC faithful for his work ethic and passion.
Michael Bridges – Last term the former Newcastle and Bolton forward scored for fun at Carlisle United as Paul Simpson`s side gained promotion. His fifteen league goals were rewarded with a move to Hull City in the summer and the injury-prone front man will not want to lose another year of his career to injury.
Player to watch: Michael Bridges
Vital Info
~Head-2-Head~
Watford have won six of their sixteen clashes with Hull at the ‘Vic scoring twenty-seven goals whilst the visitors have won just three scoring nine less.
When looking for a Hull victory at the ‘Vic one must go back to 1990 when the Tigers collected a one-nil victory although since then their has been only one match between the two sides at the ‘Vic.
~Form~
Hull`s away form is poor with only one win in their last six away trips. The Tigers have collected a total of four points on the road this terms with four losses and a draw to add to their solitary win.
Watford`s form is equally poor with five draws and a defeat on their own turf in six attempts.
Next Fixtures:
Spurs (home) Saturday 28 October
Middlesboro (home) Saturday 4 November
