AIDY THRIVING ON CHALLENGE
A WEEK is a long time in football, and one of the toughest and longest weeks of the season will come to a close tomorrow night with both Watford and Stoke City having a clearer picture of their destiny as the race for promotion to the Premier League hots up.
The Potters trek to Vicarage Road tomorrow (Saturday) with a slender three point gap being all that sits between them and the third places Hornets, who also have a game in hand.
With all of that in mind it's difficult to understate this fixture, one that Aidy Boothroyd is really relishing as he thrives further on the intrigue and tension of the most cut-throat Championship to date.
"Every game is a must-win to be honest and the way we work we look to win every game," said the straight talking Yorkshireman as he previewed the Stoke match.
"What's important is that they [Stoke] don't take a lot of points off us, what's important is that our crowd is as great as it was at Bristol, and thank you again to everybody who went.
"What's important is that we feed the crowd, they feed us and when we're all together like that as a positive force, then there is nobody that can stop us.
"I thrive on this, I'm one of those strange people that will come out fighting if we're not doing very well and if we're doing well, I'll have a fight as well," he said smiling.
"I love my job, I love this club and I love the fact that we've got a group of people - staff, players and fans - all going in the same direction, and that is all pushing forward for promotion, which is what we've got to do."
Both sides have taken some barbs and brickbats from those who perhaps aren't close enough to know their real qualities as teams; a war it won't be, but Boothroyd admits both sides will have to be strong and defend well.
"I see there being a fair few set-plays being flung in and some very tight defending, and I also see the game coming down to that little bit of difference that might make the difference; that could be a player, a change tactically, or it might be a refereeing decision."
Selection-wise a strong squad brings with it inevitable dilemmas for the manager, one of which being just who to play up front.
"It's a great position to be in. The way Steven Kabba is training at the moment he is on fire, he is great around the place," said the irrepressible Hornets' boss.
"Nathan's got his glut of goals in a short space of time and has not found the net as often as he would have liked to in the last two or three games, and needed a rest for the Bristol City game.
"Obviously Collins has got himself fit and got a start against Bristol, but I had to change it because I felt that they were starting to get the momentum, so he can consider himself unfortunate.
"That also allowed Lee Williamson to stake a claim in midfield and in order to win the Championship as it is, it is going to take a little bit of tactical flexibility from our players. We have enough in depth to be able to do that."
Aidy will have seen the likes of Stoke move to strengthen whilst the loan window remains open, but despite the likes of Chris Riggott and Jay Bothroyd heading their way, he is refusing the temptation at present to delve into the market yet further for his own side.
"I'm always looking and at the same time the wrong player at the wrong time can give you totally the wrong result.
"If we don't bring anybody in before the deadline on loans I'll be quite happy with what we've got."
And that drew the manager on to the subject of former loanees Adam Johnson and Ben Foster, men who established themselves as firm fan's favourites in their respective times here.
"I am in constant contact with Gareth [Southgate] and despite what's said in the press, if Adam Johnson was going to go anywhere I'd get a call first.
"Richard Lee has done remarkably well and I call him the boomerang because I've thrown him out more times and he keeps coming back. His form's been great and another clean sheet in the week means that at this stage we don't need Ben. I think Ben might be more needed by Man United to be honest."
Aidy takes a physically fit squad into tomorrow's game, with only the likes of Damien Francis and Gareth Williams ruled out, but knows a mentally fit squad is just as important as the season builds to a crescendo.
"It's all about mental preparation, emotional preparation and sticking to what we know and being injury free," he said, adding, "And winning with consistency."
"It can get lively at the moment because people want to win, and sometimes they'll do whatever it takes. There's a right way to do it and wrong way to do it. I like to remain calm and focussed on the game, but all our staff and all our fans; everybody connected with this club wants to win. Passions run high and it's important to retain that passion for the game."
Whilst Stoke come into this match with players returning from, and departing for, bans, Watford can be pleased that they are in the final throes of the season having only seen one major suspension all term, that following the sending off of Lee Williamson at Scunthorpe.
That sort of record pours cold water on the notion that the likes of Darius Henderson and his team mates are any more physical than others across this division, a question that was raised at Bristol City on Tuesday evening.
"My thoughts on Darius are simple. I think he's a terrific player who's had a brilliant season for us and I do honestly think that he gets absolutely nothing from officials.
"He's not going to get anything from the opposition, but when they can forearm you in the back of the head 15 times a game and get nothing for it, it seems people have got to do more and more against him before we get fouls.
"He's up there and he's battling away, fighting hard for the cause and he and the other striker who's up there are getting lumps kicked out of them because they are good players.
"I think the way that Darius remains in control is a credit to him. During the run-in we don't want anybody missing games through lack of discipline."
