Watford have been a real breath of fresh air in the Championship this season and their expansive, attacking style of play has paid great dividend to date as they sit just one place off the top – occupying the second automatic promotion position. Gianfranco Zola’s men have got better the longer the season has went on and it’s no surprise considering the huge turnover in players during the summer. Now that they have added the understanding that comes with playing together with the undoubted ability that the players possess they have proven to be one of the best sides in the division. Despite losing a last minute equaliser last weekend away to Wolves, Watford refused to dwell on that result and came back from a goal down to take another three home points, this time against Sheffield Wednesday – it was their 10th win at Vicarage Road this season.
It’s not been a vintage season for Blackpool by any stretch of the imagination as they have struggled for any sort of consistency and it’s resulted in them being cast adrift of the play-off zone. Their most recent match – away to Birmingham – was the first time they have managed to score a goal under Paul Ince and the first time finding the net in five matches. For a team who have so long been associated for being entertaining, they have found it tough with so much upheaval at Bloomfield Road this campaign. Since Ian Holloway departed for Crystal Palace, Blackpool have stuttered from game to game and that’s evidenced by a total of just two wins since the turn of the year. Paul Ince has come in but they have yet to show any noticeable improvement since the appointment of the new manager.
Many have been impressed with the forward players in the Watford side and it’s easy to see why with so much emphasis on attacking and them scoring so freely. A scan through their team and squad highlights great experience through the spine of their side with Manuel Almunia in goals, Marco Cassetti in defence and Mark Yeates in midfield – it’s these players who provide the basis for the others to go and express themselves and you get the feeling that the aforementioned trio will be crucial in the run-in.
Tom Ince has been the undoubted star of the season for Blackpool but he’s been unable to carry his side to a play-off challenge. Their dramatic dip in form has meant that they are now looking over their shoulders wondering if they will be dragged into the relegation fight. They are currently five points clear of the bottom three but as we all know with the Championship, that differential can be wiped out in the blink of an eye – whether it be at the top or bottom of the division.
I was very surprised to see Watford trading close to evens earlier in the week and although they have come in slightly, there is still value in their price, especially as Blackpool are misfiring so much at the moment – home win!
Watford 5/6 @ StanJames
