Who are ya?... Wolves (away)
So close yet so damn unlucky last time out but after a summer of 'quality in, surplus out`, the 'high ho Wolverhampton` roar may well have good reason to echo around the walls of Molineux come May 2008.
Ah, at VitalWatford we have a thing about straight talking northerners and Wolves boss Mick McCarthey is your typical 'say what I like, like what I say` man`s man. Yep, he`s not quite sure whether facial hair is the right look for him or not, but you know where you stand with McCarthey - bagfuls of passion, plenty of niggle, a bit rough around the edges but who can play a bit given half a chance.
MORE THAN HIS 15 MINUTES OF FAME…
If you believe all the redtop hype then Freddie Eastwood has scored every goal ever scored in the history of Southend football club. There`s no doubting he's a goalscorer - notching 17 for a relegated team - and a price tag of £2m could turn out to prove a shrewd bit of business.
BETTER KEEP AN EYE ON…
Michael Kightly. The nippy winger`s rise to fame at Molineux is a right ol` rags to riches tale, having joined from Grays Athletic last summer for a fee of just £20,000 and a bag of magic beans. Racked up a double figure goal tally last season and has been previously linked with Old Trafford (though we`re not sure in what capacity).
ONE FOR THE FUTURE
The VitalWatford boys have been particularly impressed with 19 year old right back Mark Little, who has a hatful of caps for the England U17, U18 and U19 sides.
20 year old stopper, Wayne Hennessey, is already a Welsh International and will no doubt be touted around as the new Neville Southall at some point (despite the fact his is tall and doesn`t look at all like a dustman).
THE 'MUST WIN` HEAD TO HEAD
It`s gonna be a bit tasty in the ol ' engine room in the middle of the park. With Darren Potter (ex Liverpool) in the holding role and the goal threat of Nigerian Seyi Olofinjana, Mahon, Williamson et al will be in for a proper scrap.
BIG UP TOP?
There was a distinct whiff of the 'Warnock disease` at Molineux in the summer after splashing out on Eastwood and Stephen Elliott (from Sunderland). Goals win games and if Jay Bothroyd, Stephen Ward or Andy Keogh don`t find their shooting boots early on then there`s gonna some right ding dongs behind the training ground wall to earn a start.
AIN'T YOU PAST IT?
Yeah we know son…Play Off Final classic, penalty miss, journey man career and all that. Full back Michael Gray, signed on a free from Blackburn, is the experienced head in a relatively young side.
Veteran defender Gary Breen of 'we all dream of a team of Gary Breen` fame should also be targetted as he's fast running out of pace.
MISSING YOU ALREADY
Poor old Matt Murray, good enough to make it big in the top league but has a touch of the 'Kirkland` about him. The Wolves No 1 stopper will miss around the first 6 months of the season through injury.
WATFORD REJECT, WATFORD REJECT 'ELLO ELLO…
Darren Ward, has been well travelled since he left the Vic for Millwall (under orders from the Italian mafia). The beckham`esque quiff might have gone but he is still a proper, old fashioned centre half. Was picked up in the summer from Palace and has started all but 1 pre-season game alongside Breen.
DR WATFORD`S GREAT BIG 'I NEVER KNEW THAT` MOMENT
Strange as it might sound, but our strikers already have form against likely Wolves keeper, Wayne Hennessey. The rookie stopper may well have set a new record for clean sheets whilst on loan at Stockport last season but he has already been beaten by Watford starlet Theo Robinson, who planted a header past him in a preseason try out for Herefore. Wolves won 3-2 - Bugger!
VERDICT - THE 'GOOD SHIP BOOTHROYD` OUTLOOK
Stormy. Have all the potential to be a real threat this season and have so much firepower at their disposal. It will be a great result should the Horns get something out of the opening day trip.