PHOTOS: Watford vs QPR 1

We were lucky enough to spend some time pitch side at the Watford vs QPR game on Saturday and we took some great photos. You'll see them in this and the next few blog post. Enjoy and COME ON YOUR HORNS!

INTERNATIONAL BRIGHT YOUNG THING

Mike Parkin of the 'From the Rookery End' podcast explains why the International break proves Watford are set for a bright future...

At the risk of sounding like just another boring Dad in a long line of soppy parents, I'm proud of my daughter. At two years old, she is a constant source of delight and amusement. Seeing her walking, talking and giggling is a joy to behold and watching her screw her face up in mock disgust when anyone says 'Luton' is a sight I shall never tire of.

So, what am I getting at? Well, she's growing up fast and judging from the list of Vicarage Road based players that took part in various Internationals during the break a few weeks ago, so too are a number of the next generation of Hornets. Seven Watford players were involved at various levels for their Country, including appearances in the senior Northern Ireland team for defenders Lee Hodson and Adam Thompson, whilst Marvin Sordell marked his England Under 20 debut with an extremely well taken goal.

Youngsters Rob Kiernan, Sean Murray and Connor Smith also turned out for the Republic of Ireland, whilst England regular Scott Loach was an unused substitute for the England under 21's. Throw in ex-Hornet Ashley Young who scored for the England senior team as they won in Denmark and you have a healthy Watford contingent strutting their stuff at the highest level. This pleases me on two counts. Firstly, I love it when a Watford player is named in an International team. The thought of one of the players I watch week in week out sticking one in the net in some far flung land excites me no end. The way I see it, if a Watford player is involved, I'm involved. My excitement in these situations knows (almost) no bounds – as an England supporter, when legendary puffin muncher Heidar Helguson turned out for Iceland, I merrily cheered him and his compatriots on. Against England. Occasionally I lowered myself to wishing Wales well when a certain Kenneth Jackett was a regular for them. There are boundaries though, and it will take more than a friendly appearance away in Japan to get me supporting Scotland. Sorry Don!

The second reason for my pride in seeing Watford players represent their Country is less selfish. It's vindication. It's confirmation that in investing in the Academy and youth development, what Watford are doing is right and that they are doing it well. The seven current players that were capped midweek are all products of the Watford youth system (OK, OK, I know we picked Connor Smith up from a TV show, but he's part of the youth set-up now!) and whilst I don't know for sure, I'm willing to bet that not many clubs of Watford's size will have had that many Internationals on display.

The international break came after a couple of bad results for our beloved Hornets – a run that has continued since, but whilst bad results are never welcome, I can't help but feeling that the emergence of so many Watford players onto the International scene is a result of far greater significance. It highlights the commitment our club has made to the future, recognising that in order to grow we don't need to throw money around, we don't need journeymen or mercenaries, we need to build. (Insert your own East Stand gag here). Of course this strategy doesn't guarantee success and it certainly doesn't guarantee quick success, but it should ensure a future. A good, solid, hard earned future. Isn't that what football should be about? Developing local talent and seeing that talent flourish in the local team? Whilst we watch Manchester City spend the GDP of a small Country on assembling a team that may just scrape a Champions League place, isn't it great to see our club not just investing in youngsters but playing them too?

I'll be as disappointed as you if we fail to beat Bristol City tonight, after all, how Watford perform has a far greater influence on my mood than it probably should. I can see the big picture though, I can see where our club is headed. The best things come to those that wait, and just like I'm proud of my daughter as she takes her first steps in the world, I'm proud of my football club as it continues to grow and evolve. Keep the faith. We'll get there, and what's more, we'll get there the right way.

Come on You Horns!

This post was originally published on Tuesday 22nd February 2011 in the Watford vs Bristol City Matchday programme.

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Ghosts of Watford FC Past

I'm writing this a few days after the home defeat to Burnley. Forget talk of missed one on one's, a yellow card that should have been red or that own goal. With the scores locked at one-all after 65 minutes, the man to take the game by the scruff of the neck and turn one point into three for his team was Chris Eagles. Another Watford old boy (three times in this case) that we've let go, returns to the Vic and beats us!. Which got us thinking at FTRE, what other ghosts of Watford's past have come back to haunt us?

The first one that comes to mind is a modern day Watford legend. He ruined what was almost a memorable night for the Hornets back in 2006. Thankfully he has been back since, so what follows here isn't our last memory of Heidar Helguson. On Monday 2nd October 2006, Watford were still looking for their first win of the Premier League season. And with the Hornets 2-0 up with 20 minutes remaining, that win looked to be in the bank. But we know football. And after Brian McBride pulled one back, our man Heidar popped up with a headed equaliser (what else) with seven minutes to go to break Watford hearts. Now of course that wasn't the end of the drama, with late, late goals for either team and a final score of three apiece. But the post match focus as far as the Rookery End faithful were concerned was double H. If you read the forums after the game, a lot was made of his fist pumping celebration. A surprisingly large amount of vitriol was chucked in Heidar's direction for daring to celebrate in front of the fans that had worshipped him for so long. However, when you look at the facts, he had been under pressure himself – this was his first Premier League goal of the season. And when that goal is an equaliser in the last 10 minutes in a game where you were 2-0 down to a team without a win to their name, then you'd be forgiven a modest celebration.

From a forgiven ghost to a less popular figure from the Vic's past. Lee Cook declared he would be staying at Vicarage Road in the summer of 2004, after speculation linking him with a move to QPR. Days later, the Hoops fan was joining his boyhood heroes. Not surprisingly, that didn't go down too well with the Rookery faithful. His debut? Well it was as a sub at the Vic of all places. But the game was already over as Sky Sports viewers had witnessed Danny Webber & Bruce Dyer give the Hornets an unassailable 3-0 lead. However, it was the return fixture that haunted Watford that season. I remember it well. The usual pre and post match beers in the Shepherds Bush Walkabout that accompany trips to Loftus Road. Neal Ardley scoring the best goal in the game. The woman with the funny red beret on the train home. My missus' blue tongue from drinking too many bottled sugary vodka drinks. And Lee Cook. It was all about Lee Cook. From the minute I purchased my match day programme, there he was on the front cover and I knew it was going to go horribly wrong. And so it was to be. I can still remember after what must have been the first goal (beer haze muddies the memories a bit here), Cook sitting on the floor after he'd carved open the Watford defence once more, celebrating his team's goal with a clenched fist and a smug look on his face. How that hurt. By that stage the Hornet's were already down to 10 men. A comfortable 3-1 victory for the home side was played out with Cook at the centre of most of QPR's attacking forays. It turned out to be one of the last nails in Ray Lewington's Watford managerial career as he was sacked ten days later, to be replaced by some young upstart called Boothroyd.

Our pitch ain't looking to grand at present. Oh how we can't wait for the egg chasers to clear off at the end of the season. Cue all football fans over the age of forty reminiscing about the pitches of the seventies....... and this thirty-something recalling our pitch in 1988. A mud-bath. Not a problem in February of that year for the Champions elect Liverpool though. In the days when they really were good and the star players wanted to play for them, not leave them, they tore relegation threatened Watford apart at Vicarage Road. The game was over after an hour when John Barnes tapped in the Reds fourth goal of the day. This was Barnes' first trip back 'home' after leaving for £900k in the summer not long after Graham Taylor had left for Aston Villa. By February, GT's replacement Dave Bassett was just a footnote in Watford's history and part time comedian, full time football manger Steve Harrison was left to try and dig Watford out of the mire, physically and metaphorically. Another favourite Watford son, Luther Blissett did manage to grab a consolation at the end. But Barnes and fellow Liverpool rookie for the season Peter Beardsley had already done the damage and the Hornets were on a slippery slide to Division Two.

So there's a few to get you thinking. There were some others that crossed my mind. Danny Webber, who not only scored the winner for Sheffield Utd at Vicarage Road during the 2006-07 Premier League season, he then had the cheek to come back with Darius Henderson when they scored a goal each in a 2-0 win for the Blades at the Vic in 2009. And this wouldn't be a From The Rookery End piece without a mention for John Eustace. Let's not forget his goal against the Hornets whilst on loan at Derby County at the end of the 2009 season.

Now let us know of those ex-Hornets who have haunted you as a Watford fan over the years!

- Jason

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Helguson Possibly Move To Newcastle

So going out on loan isn't just a chance for young players like 20 years old Tom Cleverly or 19 year old Henri Landsbury to get some first team action and get noticed. The Daily Mail has a rumour of 32 year old Heidar Helguson possible moving to Newcastle. Newcastle have had their £1.25M bid for Leeds United's Jermine Beckford has been knocked back and want some more fire power up front. His 5 goals in 10 games (8 starts, 2 as sub) has caught the eye and he could be part of Newcastle very realistic chance of automatic promotion. Still if they don't then we'd love to have him back!