Vs: Watford IFA
Location: Watford Met Police
Kick Off: 11:00
Meet: 10:30
Kit: Away (black)
Head to Head
P4 w1 d1 l2
Internet Millers 1:1 Watford [01/02 season]
Watford 2:1 Internet Millers [20/11/04]
Watford 0:2 Internet Millers [26/03/05] (cup)
Internet Millers 0:2 Watford [16/04/05]
A tough game is in store for IMFC against a side we met 3 times last season, Watford edging the two league games and the Millers progressing in the cup. All 3 games were played in superb spirit and we would now consider Watford to be one of our main IFA friends from the southern reaches of the UK.
In the last outing, Watford controlled the game at Hooton Lodge as IMFC struggled to come to terms with the lack of space the Watford players gave us and as frustrations crept in it ended a comfortable victory. Certainly IMFC will be looking for much better this time around and a repeat of the 2-0 IFA cup victory would be perfect as we defended superbly on that day.
Form Guide
WATFORD: WDLWWL
ROTHERHAM: WDWWWW
The Internet Millers remain unbeaten in the league and bounced back from a disappointed draw with Hull to rack up the goals against Tranmere. The clean sheet in the 8-0 win was a welcome return after the 4 conceded against Hull and the crisp passing and quality football was good to see. With just 1 point dropped all season IMFC are in a strong position to push for the top 3.
Our opponents Watford have had a strange start to the season without a win in their opening 4 games but have been picking up better results as of late. They currently lie 11th in the league with a p10 w3 d3 l4 record. A slick 8-0 win against Farnborough on the 8th December was their last IFA league outing so we can expect confident opponents who will be looking to get one over the current Worldnet Champions.
Squad News
1. Burns
2. Duds
3. Yeard
4. JV
5. Denti
6. Jebu
7. Shark
8. Gilby
9. Paulell
10. Lee
11. Chris
12. Dan
13. Gaz
IMFC take a very strong looking squad down to meet the Hornets which is testament to the commitment of the players. Jammer, Adis, Copey and John2 are the players unavailable for this match.
At the back, Shark will be looking to keep another clean sheet in a game he is sure to come under more fire than the Tranmere match. Denti, Yeard and Paul El will be fit and able to dominate at centre back while Jebu, Gilby, Duds can all be used in full back roles. There is certainly plenty of flexibility and strength in depth at the back for this match. Despite lack of concentration in the Sheffield Wednesday and Hull games, the defence has been superb this season and one of the main reasons for IMFC impressive form.
In central midfield, Lee will be looking to continue his sparkling form and notch a few more goals. Gareth Elliot returns to the squad after missing the Tranmere game and his extra quality and ability to score goals could be telling in what’s sure to be a tight game. The fittest man in the world, Dan Bennett, is unlikely to score a goal but will be working the “Makelele” role of stopping the opposition from even getting close to the defence. Also capable of a similar role is Captain Denti as he plays it on a Sunday for RDSL bad boys Ring O Bells. He was used in this position effectively against Tranmere and is an option open to the management team.
On the wings IMFC are a little short on numbers. JV will be looking to use his pace and skills to beat the full back and support the forward line. His scoring record is good this season and he will be looking to add to his tally. A recent tactic is to play Gilby as a winger and hes looked very solid and dangerous when called upon, alternatively Jebu can also play a similar wide role. Other options include Duds who has played on the wing in the past and perhaps Gaz Elliot who adopted a wide role 2 worldnet’s back. With the likelihood of a lone striker spot Chris G may also be used out wide at some point in time.
Up front, it’s likely that leading goalscorer and manager Steve Burns will be looking to add to his impressive tally of 21 goals. If the big man is on form and his strike rate is the same as at Tranmere then IMFC should, without a doubt, come out on top in this game. Chris Grist returns from Uni and will be looking to impress and score some goals when his chance arrives. JV and Jebu have also taken forward roles this season with a few goals to their name if the management team decide so.
Looking over the stats, it will be a 10th consecutive appearance for Jebu, JV, Shark and Yeard this season, all 4 with 100% appearance records. Burnsy, Gaz and Lee will all have made 9 out of the 10 games this season.
IFA REVIEW
1 PNE p15 w7 d6 l2 f51 a26 gd25 [35]
2 Bury p10 w9 d1 l0 f58 a15 gd43 [29]
3 Millwall p9 w9 d0 l0 f69 a10 gd59 [27]
4 QPR p9 w8 d1 l0 f44 a3 gd41 [26]
5 Rotherham p9 w8 d1 l0 f50 a10 gd40 [26]
In the league it’s hotting up for the top spot as the big 4 (Rotherham, QPR, Bury, Millwall) group together behind league leaders Preston. All 4 have unbeaten records, only Millwall have a 100% record with the remaining 3 teams dropping just the single point. Preston have played 5 games more than the trailing pack and hence top the table, its been a credible first season for the North End lads who have progressed incredibly since the 6-0 loss in a friendly game to IMFC towards the back end of last season.
It’s a fantastic week for fixtures as all of the top 5 go into games against teams that they could possibly drop points against. League leaders Preston will try and prove how far they have progressed by putting in a top performance against title favourites Millwall. QPR have AFC Dons in a repeat of last seasons IFA cup match in which it ended a draw after 90 minutes and the Dons won on penalties. Bury also have a very tough IFA cup game against 7th place Hearts who have lost just the 1 game this season, the winner is to play IMFC in the ¼ final.
Final Thoughts
It should be a cracking day out down in Watford. The game should be competitive and hopefully an IMFC win will make the day a great one. Either way, Watford are going to put on some top notch food in their impressive facilities and after a few beers we will head home. Hopefully, we can set up an RUFC/IMFC double as the main lads travel a million miles to Bournemouth!
Jebu