retired_smelesko

By writing the whole thing up in notepad myself
I don't use anything but 01/02 for reasons of money and preference.

retired_smelesko

August in the Premiership

On August fourth Barnet, just up from the Conference to the Third Division made an offer to loan centreback James Panayi for a year, and James accepted.

Only ten thousand fans showed up to Vicarage on a lazy Sunday afternoon to see Watford defeat Man City 2-0 with goals by Marcus Gayle and Tommy Smith.
Watford 2-0 Manchester City

Most of them probably stayed home to watch Arsenal win the Charity Shield 1-0 over Manchester United.

Then, the season opener at Old Trafford, a chance for Ronny Johnson to face his old team, Manchester United, who start off strong in the 13th minute as Van Nistelrooy broke through the offside trap and was left with an easy finish. In the 35th minute, Yorke found himself set up in the area by Veron, looking odds-on to score, and score he did. In the second half, Baardsen and Helguson came on to replace Bosnich and Tommy Smith, and Watford got back in the game a little, and in the 62nd minute even grabbed one back as Van der Doelen blasted in a savage shot. Two minutes later, Rushfeld nutmegged Gary Neville and went one on one with Barthez, got past, but didn't have any room to make the goal, layed it off to Helguson who layed it in the empty net.
Manchester United 2-2 Watford

The game against Everton started off with Gravesen getting sent off in the eight minute, but despite that, the game remained scoreless for a long time, until finally Rushfeldt got his first league goal, on an assist by Glass.
Watford 1-0 Everton

Then, off to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea, who opened the score just before half-time as Gr¢nkjaer put in a low cross to Zola who shrugged off Glass and Lucius to score his 50th goal for Chelsea. Right after half-time, Hughes found Tommy Smith in the area, who rifled in a half-volley to tie it. The game then went back and forth, until the 77th minute when again Hughes lobbed a sweet pass into the area, ahead of Rushfeldt, who showed excellent control, and blasted it in the top corner to take the surprise win for Watford home from London, absolutely delighting the board.
Chelsea 1-2 Watford

At the end of the month, it came to Snellink's attention that talented young Dutchman Cedric van der Gun had been transfer listed by request. He immediately put a bid in for 3.5 million pounds. Van der Gun (23) was an attacking midfielder who could play both on the right wing and in the center, and could also play as a forward.

The month ended favourably with Snellink starting his premiership carreer with two wins and a tie, in an early third place, earning him the Manager of the Month award.

retired_smelesko

Dancing in September

September kicked off with an away game at Portman Road, as Watford faced former teammember Paolo Vernazza at Ipswich. The game started off attractively with two goals in less than ten minutes, in the fourth minute Hughes blasted in a long-range shot down low, and four minutes later Boateng converted a penalty received after getting fouled by Van der Doelen, who was lucky not to get sent off. Twenty minutes into the game, injury struck Watford, as Theo Lucius had to leave the field injured which would later be diagnosed as a groin strain, putting him out for about a month. Lee took his place. Then, in the five minutes leading up to the half-time whistle there was another explosion of goals, starting in the 42nd minute as Boateng played a low pass past the Watford defense with deadly accuracy right on to the run of Pablo, who was left with an easy finish. Hughes equalised one minute later, and substitute Pierre Issa headed in Gayle's free kick the minute he came on the field to give Watford a 3-2 lead. In the 76th minute, Watford's victory was secured as Hughes made a run down the right side, past Holland, and then curled a sweet cross into the area, right on the head of Rushfeldt, who outjumped Bramble effortlessly and scored the 4-2.
Everton 2-4 Watford

Cedric Van der Gun joined Watford just in time for the match against Charlton, which started off in favour of Charlton, as young Scottish talent Mark Kerr opened the score in the 11th minute. Johnsen equaled the score after just a half an hour of play, and Glass tipped the scale in favour of the Hornets with his first of the season in the 77th minute.
Watford 2-1 Charlton

Old troublemakers Sheffield Wednesday hosted Watford for the second round of the League Cup. Gayle opened the score in the 24th minute before Hinchcliffe equalised in the 32nd through a magnificent free kick. A minute later, McAteer played a floating ball over the Sheffield defense, right on the run of Gayle, who got to the ball before a scrambling Pressman, who unsuccesfully tried to intercept, and saw the 2-1 land in his net moments later. Quinn then had a chance to equal the score once more, but Bosnich saved his penalty. After half-time, Sheffield bravely withstood the pressure of Watford's attacks for 35 minutes, until finally Rushfeldt volleyed in a pass by Tommy Smith in the 79th minute, and then Stephen Hughes sealed the deal as he found himself with all the time and space in the world as Pressman had done all he could to parry a powerful header by Rushfeldt, and all that was left was tapping in the rebound.
Sheffield Wednesday 1-4 Watford

Then Watford went to Highbury to face what could only be described as "Arsenal B", without such names as Henry (injured) and Bergkamp, Vieira, Ljungberg, Juninho, Ashley Cole and Thuram, who were all being rested for the Champions Cup match against Porto three days later. Arsenal instead fielded a 4-4-2 formation featuring Wright; Luzhny, Campbell, Keown, Thompson; Lauren, Parlour, Inamoto, van Bronckhorst; Jeffers and Kanu. Altogether still a decent team, but far from full strength. And Watford did all they could to take advantage of that. Rushfeldt headed in a free kick by Johnsen in the 6th minute, outjumping Wright to send the ball into an empty net for the early lead. Kanu equalised at the half-hour mark though, as he out-jumped McAteer to head in a cross by Thompson. At half-time, Paul Robinson came off on Watford's side, clearly not in his element and was replaced by Van Galen, who ended up deciding the match in the 82nd minute heading in his first ever goal for Watford on a corner by Hughes, bringing home the second big upset in the league for Watford, after Chelsea.
Arsenal 1-2 Watford

Then, some sad news for the fans at Vicarage Road as young talent Tommy Smith decided to leave the club in search of European football, and joined Newcastle for £3.6 million, the fee set as his minimum release at the last contract negotiations. Snellink tried, to no avail, to convince young Tommy to stay, but the lure of Europe was too strong.

Fellow promotees Bradford then came to Vicarage, as van der Gun took Smith's place in the attack. Gayle got the game started for Watford, as he beat Keller to the ball on a well-timed pass by van der Gun, who just before half-time doubled the score with his first for Watford, making it to the rebound first after Rushfeldt's cannon-shot was blocked by Keller. Rushfeldt then set the score at 3-0 heading in a pass by McAteer. Hendrie did grab one back for Bradford in the last minute, but it was not enough. The game was won, and van der Gun won his first man of the match with one goal and one assist.
Watford 3-1 Bradford

The month ended on a mixed note as Steve Stone bruised his thigh in training, putting him out for ten days, but the good news far outweighed the bad as Snellink won his second Manager of the Month award, with Watford's shock first place position after 7 games.

retired_smelesko

October 2002

October started off with a home game against Middlesbrough. The first half was very even-matched, both teams remained scoreless, but it was an attractive match nonetheless. The first goal came in the 58th minute, as Ricard dribbled past Johnsen and McAteer to drive in a low shot to give Middlesbrough a 1-0 lead. Five minutes later, wonderful team play brought Watford back in the game. The attack started off with van der Gun passing back to Johnsen, who played it right to McAteer, who put in a well-timed deep ball to Rushfeldt, who then took it and put it in the six yard box, where Gayle headed it down for van der Gun, who was left with a simple finish. Rushfeldt then took over in the last twenty minutes, first heading in a free kick by Hughes in the 70th minute, and then running past Southgate and Baker to hit in the 3-1 in the bottom corner.
Watford 3-1 Middlesbrough

Young Wolves forward Adam Proudlock signed for Watford on the 12th of october for £1M, and another million after 30 appearances.

That day, Watford went on the road again for their fourth mayor away game, to Anfield this time to face Liverpool. Eight minutes into it Rushfeldt made a brillian run, completely outclassing Riise, and blasted home the 1-0 with his left foot. Three minutes later, he had to leave the field injured, and was replaced by Noel-Williams. In the 22nd minute, Barmby equalised as he put in a rebound after Bosnich beat away a swerving shot by Berger, and it was Barmby again who would lead to Watford's first defeat in the Premiership in the 52nd minute as Litmanen put in a smart pass sending him running right into the box with enough room to shoot, which he did, low and hard to make the final score 2-1.
Liverpool 2-1 Watford

Rushfeldt's injury wasn't bad, as he'd just bruised his thigh, but he would be out for ten days.
Darren Ward then picked up an injury in training, straining his groin which would put him out for a month.

Fulham were completely demolished when they came to visit Vicarage Road, five goals in the first thirty minutes gave Van der Sar an absolute nightmare (his rating went down to a 3). Helguson opened the score picking up the rebound of Gayle's blast at goal in the 6th minute. Four minutes later, van der Gun drove a corner by Hughes in low to make it 2-0. In the 16th minute, Nielsen put in a low cross deep towards the far post from the right side, where Hughes ran at it, and managed to blast it in on the bounce stretching as far as he could to make it three. Two minutes later, van der Gun picked up a loose ball from a sliding tackle by Ouaddou who had just dispossessed Helguson, and found the net effortlessly to make it four, and the final, fifth goal was another rebound after van der Sar couldn't hold on to a Helguson volley.
Watford 5-0 Fulham

The last game of October was against Sunderland, at the Stadium of Light. Kevin Phillips opened the score in the 24th minute by picking up a long clearance by Corrigan and catching Baardsen off his line. Sunderland then took off the pressure, and played without true effort, which was punished 10 minutes later as Helguson headed in a free kick by Lucius. Three minutes later, Glass put in a low cross at the far post, where van der Gun controlled the ball well on his first touch, making himself free to shoot and scored the 1-2 and it would stay that way, despite plenty of chances on either end.
Sunderland 1-2 Watford

Getting nine points out of a possible twelve, Watford kept the lead after three months of premiership football. Noone had expected this, or even dared to dream. Manchester United were only two points behind, and Leeds had one game and three points less. All in all, not a runaway lead, but definitely not the lower-to-midtable position of fellow promotees Manchester City (13th) and Bradford (18th).

retired_smelesko

The end of a good run, November 02

November started off poorly with a 4-1 spanking by Manchester City as Wanchope made Issa look like a schoolboy, and Baardsen had an awful game, too.
Watford 1-4 Manchester City

Crystal Palace was easily taken care of by two goals by Helguson to send Watford to face Arsenal in the fourth round of the league cup.
Crystal Palace 0-2 Watford

Bolton then held Watford down to a scoreless draw thanks to Jaaskelainen, who made seven saves, while Bolton could only muster one off-target shot the entire game.
Watford 0-0 Bolton

Watford then took on 17th place Leicester. The only goal of the game came in the 38th minute, as van der Gun played a short but accurate pass through the Leicester defense, as Lee ran through and found himself with nothing but free space and unleashed a deadly volley at the goal.
Watford 1-0 Leicester


West Ham then hosted Watford in an entertaining match that could have gone either way. A fourth minute goal by Bryan Hughes put West Ham one up, before Stephen Hughes tied the score in the 21st. In the second half, Stonebridge put West Ham up again in the 58th, only to see Rushfeldt tie the score two minutes later. The final score was determined by Dobson in the 87th minute, continuing the bad month that Watford had been having.
West Ham 3-2 Watford

Vierklau suffered a twisted knee during the match against West Ham, and would be out for about two weeks. Just before the game, Leicester had put in a £2M bid for him, which matched his minimum fee release. Watford offered a new contract, too, which Vierklau gladly accepted.

Another spare Arsenal side hosted Watford at Highbury, a side without Adams, Ashley Cole, van Bronckhorst, Ljungberg, Thuram, Vieira and Henry. Only regulars Bergkamp, Wright, Lauren and Kanu made the first side, while the rest was filled up with backups and youth, and again Watford, who had come out in their strongest formation, capitalised on that mistake. Van der Gun opened the score five minutes into the game as Upson failed to intercept a pass completely and the young dutchman was left with only the goalkeeper to beat. Four minutes later, Rushfeldt ran the ball straight through the Arsenal defense and blasted the 2-0 in the top corner. Kanu grabbed one back in the 12th minute, but it wouldn't be enough. In the 20th minute, Hughes sent Gayle running free into the area. The Jamaican veteran had to stretch to reach the pass, but he made it, and finished it off in the bottom corner to make it 3-1. Another instance of well-timed passing saw van der Gun score his second of the game as Lucius sent the ball into the area, where van der Gun took it on the bounce to set the final score at 4-1 in the 36th minute, sending Watford to the quarter finals.
Arsenal 1-4 Watford

A visit to Ewood park would finish off the month for Watford. They took the lead against Blackburn in the third minute, when former Rover Jason McAteer made a run, passing Bent, Fowler and Jansen before nailing a beautiful banana shot into the top corner. Dunn and Duff quickly turned the score around in the 22nd and 25th minute. For a long time, it looked like they'd take the win, but Rushfeldt scored two in the last ten minutes (82nd and 85th) to bring a win home to Vicarage.
Blackburn 2-3 Watford

The month of November ended Watford's dream start to their first premiership season under Snellink's reign. They were in third position, along a group of five sides that had taken a bit of a lead from the pack.

retired_smelesko

On December fourth, Watford visited Everton for the quarter final of the league cup. They started out with Bosnich in goal, Issa, van der Doelen and Johnsen in defense, Stone, Lucius, Hughes and van Galen in midfield and van der Gun, Rushfeldt and Gayle up front. Substitutes were Noel-Williams, Baardsen, Proudlock, Helguson and Robinson.

In the eleventh minute, Rushfeldt headed in a corner by Hughes to put the Hornets in the lead. Everton then equalised in the 42nd minute as McLeod went one-on-one with Bosnich after a clever pass by Ferguson. Just after half-time, van der Gun broke the tie by heading in a free kick by Paul Robinson, who later set the final score at 3-1 after a beautiful run past Gemmil, Weir and Pistone.
Everton 1-3 Watford

Three days later then, Watford hosted Tottenham for the league at Vicarage. Lucius was moved back to Issa's right centreback spot, while Nielsen took the spot in right centre midfield. Lee, McAteer and Vierklau took the spots of Noel-Williams, Proudlock and Helguson on the bench.

Tottenham took the early lead through Iversen, who headed it in on an assist by Rebrov in the 9th minute. Van der Doelen equalised in the 26th, after great team play by Watford, with the assist going to Gayle. Iversen then put Tottenham one up again, heading in a Maybury cross. Eight minutes later, the game was square again, as Rushfeldt found himself free in the area after a clever header by Gayle and drove the equaliser in. In the second half, Gayle finally got his goal in the 50th minute, after running past Ziege, he blasted it in. The final score was set as Rushfeldt picked up a well-timed pass by Stone and drove it in in the 57th minute.
Watford 4-2 Tottenham

Chelsea then came to Vicarage road under recently hired manager Graham Rix who had been apointed on the second of December after Ranieri had let Chelsea slide down the table to a lowest 17th place. Watford started out without the injured Rushfeldt who had strained his neck in training. His place as the striker was taken by Helguson. Glass took Gayle's spot as the left forward, while Lucius moved back to right centre midfield in place of Nielsen, and Vierklau took the spot of right centreback. Lee was taken off the bench in favour of Proudlock, while Noel-Williams took up Vierklau's spot on the bench.

Icelandic talent Helguson opened the score for the Hornets in the 19th minute after a splendid pass by Hughes left him free in the area. Van der Gun then doubled the lead in the 34th, outjumping Cudicini on a Paul Robinson cross. Forsell grabbed one back in the second half, making a run through the heart of Watford's defense and sending a skidder across the wet grass past Bosnich, but it would not be enough to put Chelsea back in it as Helguson also outjumped Cudicini, to head in a cross by McAteer this time.
Watford 3-1 Chelsea

On the seventeenth of December, a sports show stated that Watford might be an outsider for the title challenge if they could keep their good run going. Manager Snellink indicated that he was quietly confident in his team's abilities, much to the delight of the fans and the board.

Helguson was also praised in the media after his splendid performance against Chelsea, and Snellink agreed that his performances had been of the highest standard, which did much to boost the young forward's confidence.

On December 21st, Newcastle came to Vicarage Road. Lucius fell back into the defence while van der Doelen moved up to midfield. Gayle took the place of Glass as the left forward and Nielsen took McAteer's spot on the bench while Rushfeldt took Proudlock's

Helguson opened the score in the 19th minute on a rebound from a Gayle header. Substitute Nielsen then doubled the score at the half-time whistle, on a Hughes rebound this time. An inch-perfect cross by van Galen saw Gayle head in the final goal in the 84th minute.
Watford 3-0 Newcastle

Then it was time for the boxing day game, and a trip to Elland Road was on the menu to face Leeds. Van der Doelen and Lucius switched lines again, and Rushfeldt took Helguson's place as the striker. Proudlock went along on the bench instead of Robinson, and Helguson took Rushfeldt's place on the bench.

Bowyer opened the score in the 29th minute with a disputed penalty after van der Gun backed in to Hay. After that, a dominant Leeds never gave Watford a chance to get into the swing of things, and in the last minute, Smith headed in a corner by Bowyer for the final score.

For the final game of 2002 against Everton, Nielsen came on in centre midfield, moving Hughes to the left wing and putting van Galen on the bench. Also new on the bench were Robinson and Lee, instead of Noel-Williams and Proudlock.

Rushfeldt opened the score in the 12th minute after Lucius found him in the area unmarked. Then, a clever header by that same Rushfeldt found Stone running into the area unmarked, and he made the 2-0. In the 45th minute, Duberry slid straight through Gayle, earning him a second yellow, and thus a sending off. In the 54th minute, Johnsen had to leave the pitch injured, and was replaced by Robinson. Just before the end, Watford suffered another injury as Robinson came off injured, too. Lee came on in his place. Gayle prodded in one more for Watford at the final whistle, ending 2002 on a great note.
Everton 0-3 Watford

Robinson was diagnosed with a gashed leg and would be out for a mere ten days, while Johnsen would be out for two months with a strained calf.

Rushfeldt picked up his first ever player of the month.
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">********************************************* ************************************************** * English Premier Division - Wednesday 1st January 2003********************************************** ************************************************** ================================================== ============================================== 2002/3 Table============================================= ================================================== =Pos Team Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag Won Drn Lst For Ag Pts--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1st Liverpool 21 10 1 0 18 4 5 2 3 15 11 48 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2nd Man Utd 21 7 3 0 22 6 7 2 2 26 14 47 3rd Watford 21 9 1 1 26 10 6 1 3 21 16 47 4th Leeds 20 10 0 0 24 3 4 3 3 13 9 45 5th Arsenal 21 8 1 2 24 10 6 0 4 17 14 43 6th Fulham 21 10 1 0 26 14 1 1 8 10 27 35 7th Blackburn 21 9 0 2 24 10 1 3 6 9 19 33 8th Middlesbrough 21 7 0 3 17 11 3 1 7 11 14 31 9th Bolton 21 6 3 2 23 8 1 5 4 7 10 29 10th Newcastle 21 5 2 3 22 15 2 3 6 12 18 26 11th Tottenham 20 4 1 4 13 15 4 1 6 21 23 26 12th Everton 21 4 2 4 12 13 3 2 6 15 17 25 13th Man City 21 6 2 3 20 14 1 2 7 11 21 25 14th Chelsea 21 4 3 3 12 10 2 3 6 11 18 24 15th Sunderland 21 4 2 5 13 17 3 1 6 12 20 24 16th Leicester 21 5 1 4 12 14 2 1 8 9 16 23 17th Ipswich 21 4 3 3 16 17 1 4 6 12 22 22 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------18th Bradford 21 3 3 5 16 20 0 1 9 8 22 13 19th West Ham 21 2 5 4 14 21 0 2 8 7 26 13 20th Charlton 21 0 4 6 9 23 2 0 9 8 26 10 </pre>

retired_smelesko

A new year, a new chance at victory

The new year's day game saw Watford receive Manchester United. Without the injured Johnsen, Lucius moved back into the defense, Nielsen took his place in right centre midfield, Hughes moved into left centre midfield and van Galen took the left wing spot.

Gayle opened the score for the Hornets in the eight minute, scoring a free kick given after he was taken down by Brown. Rushfeldt doubled the score in the 14th by heading in a corner from Hughes. In the second half, Manchester United fought back and scored after Fortune sent in a cross and Veron beat Bosnich to the ball, headed it on to Keane, who headed it in. Three minutes later, Veron almost tied the game, but Bosnich made a superb save and launched the ball deep into Manchester's half, where Gayle beat Brown to the ball and took it past Silvestre to find himself free in front of goal to seal the deal for Watford.
Watford 3-1 Man Utd

The FA cup match against Brighton saw a lot of changes in the line-up, as the regulars were still tired from the match against United. Baardsen took the spot in goal, Issa, McAteer and Ward played in defense, Nielsen, van der Doelen, Lee and van Galen were the midfielders, and Proudlock, Helguson and Glass were the forwards.

The game was very one sided, Watford had almost all the chances, and no problem converting that into a win, two goals by Helguson saw the Hornets through to the fourth round.
Brighton 0-2 Watford

The game against Middlesbrough on the 11th featured a regular line-up: Bosnich; Vierklau, van der Doelen, Lucius; Stone, Nielsen, Hughes, van Galen; vd Gun, Rushfeldt, Glass.

The first goal of the match came off the head of Rushfeldt, after a free kick by Hughes in the seventeenth minute. Watford held on to that lead for over fifty minutes until Ricard equalised in the 70th minute. Middlesbrough nearly took home the win, but frantic defending by the Hornets kept the score even.
Middlesbrough 1-1 Watford

Hughes had left the field during the game against Middlesbrough with a possible injury, and later that day it was confirmed to be strained knee ligaments. The physio suggested that he'd be out for three weeks.

Out of nowhere, Bradford made a 3.9 million pound offer for Marcus Gayle, which Snellink accepted, while also offering the Jamaican a new contract, so he'd have a choice. The choice was made quickly, however, and Gayle decided to join Bradford to assist in their struggle to survive in the premiership.
A replacement was quickly found in 24 year old Spanish talent Jorge Lopez, from Villareal, where he was tired of not getting first team football. It will be interesting to see how he does. Sadly, before he could make his debut against Ipswich, he was struck down with a broken shoulder. ( )

Without the injured Johnsen, Hughes and Jorge Lopez, Watford faced Ipswich. McAteer took Hughes' place in midfield. The game seemed to be going Watford's way as the had more of the chances, but in the 34th minute a header by Holland gave Ipswich the lead, and despite 13 chances, Watford couldn't turn the game around.
Watford 0-1 Ipswich

A chance for revenge came one week later as Watford traveled to Portman Road, Ipswich for the FA Cup fourth round. A still mildly injured Johnsen came back into the team instead of McAteer. In the 9th minute van Galen went past Gaardsøe in the area, and as he did so Gaardsøe went in with a hard tackle, missing the ball. Rushfeldt easily converted to make it 1-0. McAteer scored the 2-0 in the second half with a lovely diving header on a pass by van der Doelen. The final score was set at 3-0 by Lucius as Nielsen put a pass along the floor for him to run into the area unmarked, and he made no mistake. Confirming Watford's advance to the 5th round.
Ipswich 0-3 Watford

No changes in formation for the game against Blackburn, which started off well for the Hornets as Lucius found van der Gun in the area, who struck the ball with fury to make it 1-0. Just after half-time, van der Gun had to go off injured, and was replaced by Helguson, who then proceeded to score the 2-0 in the 62nd minute after Lucius played a brilliant chip to send him free into the area where Langfield blocked his one-touch effort once, but couldn't parry the second attempt. Bent took one back for the Rovers, but Lucius topped his two assists with a goal in the last minute with a long skidder across the wet pitch.
Watford 3-0 Blackburn

retired_smelesko

month of February started off with a game against Arsenal. The injured Johnsen, Hughes, v/d Gun and Jorge Lopez would not be available, and the tired van Galen, Proudlock and Lee would start on the bench. The starting line-up was as follows: Bosnich (c); Vierklau, v/d Doelen, Ward; Stone, Lucius, Nielsen, P.Robinson; Helguson, Rushfeldt, Glass.
The game started off terribly for Watford with two injuries and a goal against. Van der Doelen left the pitch injured in the 10th minute and Nielsen in the 27th. Juninho Paulista scored for Arsenal as van Bronckhorst layed it off to him finding him unmarked. In the 37th minute, Lucius played a high ball into the area where Rushfeldt got above Wright to head in the equaliser. It would be the last goal of the game.
Watford 1-1 Arsenal

Van der Doelen would be out for about a month, and Nielsen for two weeks.

An rival from last season was up next as Watford went to Bradford. Johnsen replaced Ward, McAteer replaced van der Doelen, Hughes took the place of Nielsen and van Galen took Robinson's spot.
The game was a drab 0-0 tie, as bad finishing on Watford's account and virtually no chances for Bradford gravely dissapointed the twenty three thousand fans at Valley Parade.
Bradford 0-0 Watford

For the game against Charlton, Lee took van Galen's place. McAteer opened the score early on, finishing a low cross by Lee in the 10th minute. Lucius then scored three minutes later on an assist by Stone, and then his second four minutes after that on a pass by van der Gun. The final goal came in the 62nd minute as van der Gun picked up a loose ball after Rushfeldt had been dispossessed. He took it and blasted it in the top corner to finish the game.
Charlton 0-4 Watford

Middlesbrough then came to Vicarage Road, with Lucius taking McAteer's spot in the starting line-up. Rushfeldt immediately turned up the heat with a tenth minute goal, heading in a ball by van Galen. Van der Gun then made it two in the twelfth with a long-range beauty. Ten minutes before half-time, Middlesbrough grabbed one back through Boksic with a header, but on the half-time mark Rushfeldt layed it off to van der Gun who set the score at 3-1, sending Watford through to the Quarter Final of the FA cup
Watford 3-1 Middlesbrough

The run of injuries continued however as van Galen picked up a knee injury in the game against Middlesbrough putting him on the sideline for two weeks.

Then, the away half of our League cup game against Blackburn. A quite ****-poor performance saw goals by Berg and Jansen nullify the 3-1 aggregate advantage, turning it around to an away goal advantage for the Rovers. Sadly, despite efforts to turn the match around, nothing of the sort happened, and Blackburn advanced to the final.
Blackburn 2-0 (a3-3) Watford

Sunderland would be the next challenge in the league, as Jorge Lopez finally made his debut. The game would turn out to be a disaster as finishing just didn't go Watford's way. None of the 17 chances resulted in a goal, in part thanks to 9 saves from Sørensen, and the rest due to poor aim. Sunderland did better aim-wise, converting two of their three chances into goals. And to top it all off, Johnsen picked up his fifth yellow, getting him suspended for the home fixture against Liverpool
Watford 0-2 Sunderland

All in all it had not been a good month for Watford, having gotten only 8 points from 5 games and getting knocked out of the FA cup.

retired_smelesko

Ten league games and an FA cup funeral
With ten games left in the season, Watford found themselves in a place where European football the following season was highly likely, and the board's expectation (avoid relegation) had already been realised, with a thirty point cushion to 18th place West Ham. Still within the five teams that were dominating the league (Leeds 28-65, Liverpool 28-63, Man Utd 29-60, Arsenal 28-58 and Watford 28-56), 16 points ahead of the two chasing teams Blackburn and Fulham (both 28-43). A position that noone had predicted at the beginning of the season, and a place where manager Mark Snellink was an instant legend for the 22 000 Hornet fans that came to Vicarage every home game, and the many more that couldn't come. Ofcourse, it wouldn't have been possible without the signings over the summer, but then that's what a manager's for, to improve a squad. From winning the promotion playoff with a team that had been dubbed nothing but a mid-table First Division side to vying for the top spot in the Premier League with a team that had been dubbed "relegation fighters" in the span of a year and a half was enough to make anyone's head spin. Excited Watford fans were already talking of future European glory and perhaps even the first ever title for Watford in any competition that wasn't the Second or Third Division, because for all of the team's history, they were forever runners up, never winners. And the Hornets thought that it would be Snellink who was going to bring some trophies to Vicarage. The last ten games would feature six away games (Man C, Fulham, Leicester, Bolton, Tottenham and the season endgame against Newcastle) and four home games (Liverpool, West Ham, Blackburn and Leeds). And then ofcourse there was still the FA cup, where Manchester United would be the opponent in the quarter final.

A feast of goals is the only description for the game against Manchester City. Three goals by Rushfeldt, including his 25th of the season, Jorge Lopez's first for Watford and a last minute goal by van der Gun were only just enough to bring a win home as Flitcroft and two by Huckerby kept the pressure on.
Manchester City 3-5 Watford

Johnsen picked up an injury at the end of the game, twisting his knee. He finished out the match, but afterwards was put on rest for three weeks by the team of physios, coincidentally missing another game against Manchester United.

Manchester United then proved too strong for Watford, despite an early goal by Rushfeldt, Scholes and Fortune gave United a 2-1 win.
Man Utd 2-1 Watford

Poor defensive performance by Baardsen and Ward cost Watford as two goals turned out not to be enough to keep Liverpool at bay. Kily Gonzalez struck very early in the game, before Hughes equalised at the half-time whistle. Gerrard put Liverpool one up once more, and Rushfeldt pulled Watford level again, only to see Owen finish the game.
Watford 2-3 Liverpool

Inexperience at the premiership level, especially against teams like Man Utd and Liverpool still showed through the otherwise well-oiled Hornets machine, as such players as Ward, Baardsen and Robinson cracked under pressure.

The run of bad fortune continues as a fluke last-minute goal by Marlet robbed Watford of a rightful win after Fulham had initially taken the lead through Saha, but goals by Rushfeldt and Lucius had turned the game around, the black and white army kept a point at Craven Cottage, continuing Watford's streak of three games without a win, like last season at a crucial stage
Fulham 1-1 Watford

Sigurd Rushfeldt did pick up a player of the month award in March, so the month wasn't a complete loss.

However, the bad run continued again with West Ham as visitors, the defense completely bottomed out again as Carrick scored twice to bring West Ham a victory that the Hornets should have never allowed at home. Stone equalised once, but with the poor defending it mattered not. Manager Snellink paced down his line visibly agitated by the poor performance of Bosnich and his defense.
Watford 1-2 West Ham

Then, Watford took on Leicester hoping to break the run of poor games to save them from the downward spiral that wasn't imminently endangering their European chances as they still had a 14 point buffer with 6 games remaining, but it had to stop sooner rather then later. Any title aspirations were gone, however as Leeds had a 15 point lead. Fifth place was the most likely final position for Watford, unless they made up the six point gap to fourth place Arsenal.
But to no avail as Leicester prolonged the winless streak by holding them at 1-1 with goals from Rushfeldt and Akinbiyi.
Leicester 1-1 Watford

Then, finally the bad run was broken as two goals by Jorge Lopez and a last minute one by Hughes saw Watford obliterate Bolton. Stephen Hughes took man of the match with two assists and a goal.
Bolton 0-3 Watford

A very important match against 6th place Blackburn was decided by Blackburn referee Peter Jones, who sent off both van Galen and Nielsen around the seventieth minute, and got Blackburn the first goal of the match on a penalty in the fifth minute, and despite all that van der Gun managed to rescue a point for the Hornets.
Referee 2-1 Watford 1-1 Blackburn


The FA didn't see it Snellink's way, however, although they agreed that the ref was poor, they only reduced Nielsen's ban by one match making it two games and upheld van Galen's one match ban.

Exciting news however for Stephen Hughes, getting his first England cap at age 26 in a England's 2-0 friendly defeat by Germany.

Tottenham then held Watford to a mind-numbing 0-0 draw, with hardly any chances on either side. A game noone really enjoyed or would bother remembering.
Tottenham 0-0 Watford

First placed Leeds then came to visit Vicarage Road, and suddenly Watford played like they did when they stormed to the top of the league, with the quality that had sorely been lacking in the last couple of matches. Jorge Lopez opened the score in the 8th minute, and van der Gun doubled up just at half-time. After half-time, Dacourt made sure that Leeds had no chance of fighting back by getting himself sent off, ending Leeds's 19 game unbeaten run.
Watford 2-0 Leeds

On Sunday, May 11th, 20 year old left wingback Barrie Matthews returned from his loan at Hampton & Richmond, where he had played 32 games, scored twice and gotten seven assists, having a very good season indeed. The opinions of the coaching staff on wether he's got the stuff to stay and make it at Watford were divided, but certainly he had some prospect to him.

The result for Watford would make no difference as they would end in fifth regardless. For Newcastle however it could put them anywhere between 14th and 11th place. Not a huge incentive, but at least something to play for. The magpies were missing striker Alan Shearer, while Watford was without Allan Nielsen, who was still suspended and Lucius, who picked up an injury the day before the game. A single goal by Rowett decided the game in favour of Newcastle, seeing them finish 12th.
Newcastle 1-0 Watford

So, Watford finished fifth in their first season in the prem under Snellink's guidance. Certainly more then expected when he first took over, with good prospects for the future.

retired_smelesko

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">********************************************* ************************************************** * English Premier Division - Sunday 18th May 2003********************************************** ************************************************** ================================================== ============================================== 2002/3 Table============================================= ================================================== =Pos Team Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag Won Drn Lst For Ag Pts--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1st C Leeds 38 17 2 0 45 6 10 5 4 31 18 88 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2nd Man Utd 38 15 4 0 47 14 11 3 5 36 26 85 3rd Liverpool 38 16 2 1 37 7 7 7 5 26 20 78 4th Arsenal 38 13 4 2 39 18 10 2 7 31 25 75 5th Watford 38 11 3 5 36 21 9 6 4 37 24 69 6th Blackburn 38 12 4 3 37 17 3 8 8 22 32 57 7th Chelsea 38 11 4 4 28 19 5 5 9 23 31 57 8th Middlesbrough 38 11 1 7 33 24 5 4 10 24 27 53 9th Bolton 38 10 5 4 35 15 4 5 10 17 25 52 10th Fulham 38 11 5 3 36 28 3 5 11 16 37 52 11th Ipswich 38 11 4 4 34 26 3 5 11 17 34 51 12th Newcastle 38 10 5 4 38 23 3 5 11 19 32 49 13th Tottenham 38 9 5 5 32 28 4 3 12 28 42 47 14th Everton 38 8 5 6 27 22 4 3 12 23 33 44 15th Man City 38 8 3 8 29 32 4 4 11 23 39 43 16th West Ham 38 7 7 5 29 30 3 3 13 16 39 40 17th Sunderland 38 6 4 9 21 28 4 3 12 20 38 37 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------18th R Leicester 38 7 4 8 22 26 3 1 15 16 34 35 19th R Bradford 38 6 5 8 23 29 1 2 16 13 44 28 20th R Charlton 38 3 4 12 23 40 2 1 16 15 51 20 </pre>