View from the Opposition –
A bit about you:
Name: John Fawell
Current home town: Bourne End, Bucks
Birthplace: County Durham
How long have you supported your team? Over thirty years
Overview of your club: It is a quite small family club with a friendly atmosphere. We have punched above our weight for a long time and we do OK even though we aren’t fashionable. We went through a difficult period of ups and downs between 2000 and the present time but things have improved immeasurably since the Pozzo family got involved. We have a very good Community Trust which does great things in the community and of which we are very proud.
Favourite thing about your home ground: Comfortably familiar with an element of the old fashioned near the town centre grounds that I remember so well.
Favourite match played by your team & why: First leg of the championship play-off semi-final at Crystal Palace in 2006. We do not have a happy time at Selhurst Park and the Palace fans were so confident that they were handing out flyers for the special train they had booked to take them to the final in Cardiff. Watford won 3-0.
Favourite player of all time who played for your club: John McLelland, one of the most elegant centre halves ever.
About our forthcoming match against you: A difficult game between two sides who are unpredictable, although our current form is not good and the confidence is low. We have something like 8 first team players out injured. Much will depend on whether Marco Silva is prepared to play two up front.
Your favourite current player in your squad and why? Troy Deeney because he leads from the front and always gives his all in attack or defence.
Player in your squad we should most fear and why? Peyrera who is just coming back to fitness and if played in the middle is skillful and can create chances.
Player in our squad you most fear and why? Mahrez because he not only influences how others play but when on form is a very good goal scorer….. and he always seems to score against us..
Up and coming prospect in your squad? Richarlison who has proved a revelation since his arrival. However, he does need a rest as he has played so many games in a new country and a new league.
Where do you think you’ll finish this season? Hopefully about tenth but that depends on the injuries and getting players back.
How do you think you’ll do against us? No idea, it depends on how we start and how the defence plays.
General Questions:
What do you think of the transfer activity both in and out of your club this season? Pretty good. We also brought in some young English players, the problem is keeping them fit.
Which three teams do you think will go down? Last season I said Sunderland, Hull and Swansea or Middlesborough. This season I think Swansea but it is so tight I really don’t know.
Who do you think will win the league? Not a difficult one with Manchester City so far ahead.
Any other comments? Games between us are generally close and usually exciting, even when the quality is lacking. The play-off semi-final at our place has to be one of the most exciting I have ever witnessed. I know several neutrals who feel the same.
John is a board member of the Watford Supporters Trust, the latest from their Trust can be read here http://watfordsupporterstrust.co.uk/