20 Questions - Watford FC

What was your first game?
At home to Burnley, May 1980. We won 4-0; Luther was only on the bench, although the fact that he came on to score eased my disappointment.

Describe the most memorable and worst game you've seen and why?
The most memorable game was probably the 1999 play-off final at Wembley. We'd been mid-table at Easter but a John Aldridge-induced red mist shook us out of our stupor at home to Tranmere on Easter Saturday. We came from behind to win the game, and won eight of our last nine games (drawing the other) to make the play offs. Beating Bolton was a glorious culmination of that run, irrespective of what happened later.

The worst game I've seen... I've never considered degrees of rubbishness before. Probably a nil-nil draw away at Scarborough in the FA Cup in 1995; a muddy scrap featuring no shots on target by either side in a town that was frozen and miles from anywhere. This game has achieved a famous level of notoriety amongst Watford fans.

Luton Town. Tiresome, but beyond debate, even if local radio laughably touted our game against the Milton Keynes Franchise last year as a local derby.

For Watford or at all? For Watford... it would have to be John Barnes, I guess. Best is different from favourite of course; not that I've anything against Barnsey, but other factors enter consideration when talking about favouriteness(!). Barnes was the best though, a glorious sight in his heyday.
Worst... probably Patrick Blondeau. Not with the least ability - he was capped for France - but for negative impact. Signed by Vialli on the same day as Filippo Galli, they were interviewed together on the telly. Galli says all the right things, Blondeau says "I'm just here for the cash". And plays like it.

Alan Lee gave us a right going over when you won here a couple of seasons ago.

A bit of a struggle, but par for the course given the fallout not just of ITV Digital but also of the ill advised Vialli gamble that coincided with it. Relegation fears finally put to bed by a strong late run, including the point at Millmoor.

I was apprehensive - the squad has been chopped for the third season running and we've still no money to speak of. But Lewington has put together a very honest, convincing and inspiring side... all the bits work, if you see what I mean. We don't have the depth of squad for a sustained play-off challenge, but look good enough to be comfortably mid-table.

Snap? Like cards? For drinks, the only one to avoid is the Red Lion by the ground. Mac's Bar, city centre side of Vicarage Road, is an away fans' pub but as such I've not been in there so can't comment. There's also a big Wetherspoons in the town centre. For food, the chippy at the end of Market Street (again, between the city centre and the ground) is tremendous, but queues accordingly. If you're about for longer the two Italian places at the end of the high street are good - Zincos and particularly L'Artista, although both are noisy.

Johnny Vegas.

Honest, gritty, several other Yorkshire sterotypes. A good away trip. Sadly, if a good season means staying up then a so-so season will come along to relegate you sooner or later. It would appear to be sooner.

Absolutely not. The very definition of sensible, long may he prosper.

Are you happy with your Chairman/Backroom staff?
Our Chairman was on Blakes' Seven once. What more can you ask. On a serious note, yes... the current directors, by and large, are the guys responsible for us still being around. Little quibble with the backroom staff either, particularly legendary assistant manager and earner of two (two!) testimonials as a player (1982-2002) Nigel Gibbs. The bloke on the tannoy has an oppressive personality, however.

Whoever we play next, that's the sensible answer isn't it. So you then. Or Wolves, they're really annoying. But probably Pompey... a two-legged League Cup semi would do us just fine.

Richard Lee in goal - his ascent from the reserves overdue because of bad injuries last term. Fine, fine keeper. Probably Neil Cox and sergeant major Sean Dyche in the middle at the back, two wise old heads. Jermaine Darlington, a winger disguised as a left back, and, if he's over his injury, Lloyd Doyley on the right - great defensively, crossing a bit erratic.

Two hard b#*$tards who can play in the middle, Brynjar Gunnarsson and Gavin Mahon, the most important part of the team. Neal Ardley on the left, fabulous supply line in fine form this season. James Chambers on the right, quick and aggressive, the first cash signing the club has paid for since Vialli (all of £70k, and a bargain at that).

Up front, Bruce Dyer's strength and occasional single-mindedness stands in for injured Danny Webber alongside lunatic Icelandic puffin-eating Heidar Helguson.

Predicted score?
Don't ask me. Heidar will win on points.

Wigan. Any two of about a dozen others.

Who's going down?
You lot I guess, sadly. Gillingham. Hopefully Forest although Stoke seem to be

Vanessa

sinking quickly - dunno, we haven't played them yet.

Inevitable. He was on Vialli money and hadn't delivered consistently for years. A shame, because before he got stabbed by a burglar he looked a decent player.

MillersMad would like to thank Matt for his time!
His site can be found at www.bsad.org - it stands for Blind Stupid and Desperate..