Wigan Athletic v Watford Match Preview
Sep 22, 2006
Author: Paul Wilson

Wigan Athletic v Watford Match Preview

JJB Stadium, Saturday 23rd September, kick-off 3pm

Back to reality

Instead of providing the anticipated welcome distraction from the pressures of the Premiership, the Carling Cup in midweek seemed like some kind of parallel universe, one in which Watford were not allowed to use their 15 best players. What ensued was perhaps the most bizarre and, frankly, diabolical evening of football seen at the Vic in many a year. The only comforts salvageable from the wreck were perhaps the debut showing of young left-back Jordan Parkes, a few decent stops from Richard Lee, and the fact we won, albeit in a penalty shootout that might as well have been taken at 7.45pm. Surely Wigan, slayers of ourselves and defeated finalists in the competition last season, must have fared better in midweek? Sadly for them, no, as their half-strength team were sent packing from Crewe with a 2-0 defeat. So I think it’s fair to say that both teams, and both sets of supporters, are more than ready for a return to Premiership football this weekend. Back to regular action. Back to reality.

Wigan were seen as the benchmark for Watford to aim towards this season. Their top-half finish last year showed that promoted clubs can compete in this division; that they don’t have to be relegation certainties. However, Wigan clearly have the necessary financial backing in place – not a guarantee of success, of course, but a mighty big help. However, following significant summer investment and a radical squad overhaul, Wigan have yet to really get going this season. Despite a 1-0 home success against Reading, and a battling 2-2 draw at Everton last weekend, the Latics find themselves in 15th place, as a result of defeats at Newcastle (1-2) and Portsmouth (0-1). The new players are likely to take a little while to gel together, so it could be argued now is a good time to play them.

Also a concern for Wigan right now is a spate of injuries to their front-line. Henri Camara, Lee McCullogh and Svetoslav Todorov are all doubts for this weekend. With SGB David Connolly joining the Sunderland revolution, this has left former England man Emile Heskey as the main man up front, joined in attack by makeshift striker Andreas Johansson. Young capture from Bristol City, David Cotterill, has provided the forward option on the bench recently. The midfield four should consist of summer signings Antonio Valencia, Denny Landzaat and Kevin Kilbane, as well as last week’s two-goal hero Paul Scharner. Lining up across the back should be Emmerson Boyce, Fitz Hall, captain Arjan De Zeeuw and Leighton Baines. Impressive shot-stopped Chris Kirkland will be between the posts. Back-up ‘keeper Mike Pollitt will likely be warming the bench alongside the likes of Matt Jackson, David Wright and Gary Teale. Defender Ryan Taylor is out with a broken leg, whilst Andy Webster is awaiting his debut after joining from Hearts in a complicated move.

There are no fresh injury worries for Watford, with Clarke Carlisle, Chris Powell and Scott Loach remaining the only absentees. Aidy Boothroyd will revert back to a similar line-up to that which started the Villa game, although half-time substitutes in that match, Jay DeMerit and Hameur Bouazza will be pushing for a return to the starting XI.

Many happy returns for…Damien Francis, appearing back at the club where he spent one mixed season last year. Despite settling well into his new role with Watford, Damien will be keen to show Wigan that he is more than capable at this level, and will be hoping to add to his two (or is it one?) goal(s) already this season.

A bit of stick for…Fitz Hall. By picking a fight with Aidy Boothroyd during our play-off semi-final last season, Fitz did not endear himself to the Watford faithful. Following Palace’s failure, “One Size”, like many of his former team-mates and manager, took the ‘easy route’ into the Premiership, and was snapped up by Wigan. Soon after he was followed by fellow defender Emmerson Boyce, who can also expect some stick due to his roots at a certain Bedfordshire side.

Man to watch – Antonio Valencia. The Ecuadorian World Cup man has made an exciting start to his season-long loan spell from La Liga club Villarreal. So far he has occupied the right wing berth, but he is also capable of playing in the centre.

It’s a fact – Watford have only ever recorded one victory away from home in the Premiership. That was the 1-0 win at Anfield, courtesy of Tommy Mooney’s scrambled goal, in August 1999.

Man in the middle – Rob Styles (Hampshire) Oh, joy…

Expected line-ups:

Wigan (4-4-2): Kirkland; Boyce, Hall, De Zeeuw, Baines; Valencia, Scharner, Landzaat, Kilbane; Heskey, Johansson.
Subs: Pollitt, Jackson, Wright, Teale, Camara.

Watford (4-4-2): Foster; Doyley, Mackay, Shittu, Stewart; Smith, Francis, Mahon, Young; King, Henderson.
Subs: Lee, DeMerit, Bangura, Spring, Bouazza.

Verdict – At any level of football, most teams expect to win their home games, and Wigan will be no different. Despite their modest start to the season, the Latics will be confident of picking up all three points, so expect another tough afternoon’s work for Watford. Whether the Hornets get anything from this game may depend on whether the performance matches that of the woeful first half against Villa, or the very encouraging second half. And then there’s the Ref Factor to consider…

COME ON YOU ‘ORNS!