'All the pressure will be on City' (From Watford Observer)
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Watford midfielder Jonathan Hogg looking forward to 'interesting game' at Manchester City
2:00pm Friday 4th January 2013 in Sport By Adam Newson
Jonathan Hogg. Picture: Holly Cant
Jonathan Hogg believes Watford will be able to play with freedom at Manchester City in the FA Cup third round as the "all the pressure" will be on the Premier League champions.
Roberto Mancini’s side are one of the favourites to lift the cup this season while the Hornets, who suffered a New Year’s Day defeat to Charlton Athletic, travel to the Etihad Stadium hopeful of causing a big upset.
The Citizens, who won the competition in 2011, will have several players missing due to injury or international call-ups but Hogg still expects to face world-class players and a couple of familiar faces.
The 24-year-old said: "They’ve spent a lot of money and everyone knows that whatever team they put out they have world-class players and be massive favourites.
"But we can go there, try our best and play with a bit of freedom because all the pressure is going to be on them.
"We are not expected to do anything there so it will be an interesting game and a nice game for the lads to play in.
"It is a nice stadium and I’ve been there before when I was at Villa, although I was on the bench. So I know what expect and I am looking forward to it."
He continued: "I know Gareth Barry well because I played against him a lot in training when I was at Aston Villa and James Milner as well.
"So I will be playing against old friends because one way or another they will play. So it will be nice to see some old faces and get stuck into them."
Despite Watford’s 4-3 home defeat to Charlton on Tuesday, they remain in the Championship play-off positions and have a game in hand on many of their rivals.
While Hogg is looking forward to battling the likes of Carlos Tevez and Vincent Kompany tomorrow, he believes the players' main priority is the fight for promotion to the Premier League.
He explained: "You want to do well in the cups but for me and most of the players here we want to stay in the play-offs.
"So as long as we can get in that top six then that is what I want to achieve this season."
Hornets boss Gianfranco Zola decided to rest Hogg against Charlton and many felt the midfielder’s tenacious qualities were missed.
The former Aston Villa player admitted he was disappointed not to play in the defeat. He said: "The gaffer had a chat with me on Friday so he let me know before he named the team. I was prepared for it.
"I was a bit disappointed with the result and it wasn’t the best of games. Missing any game is hard but when you get beaten you want to play even more.
"It is nice people say they missed me in the team but it is just more frustrating the boys did not perform the way we have been and get the win we needed really.
"I think we just missed a bit of bite in and we needed someone to grab hold of the game and stamp their authority on it – I think we just lacked that."
Comments(24)
Hand of Destiny
says...
3:05pm Fri 4 Jan 13
I speak to you tonight on the eve of a great and momentous event, one that will live long in the memory and throughout the ages will be retold again and again by our children and children’s children.
The great battle with the North people is nearly upon us and as we sleep tonight we will awake tomorrow to face the mercenary hordes from plains of Lancashire. These men are a fearsome army, drawn from all corners of the World and amongst them they have fearsome attackers and stout solid defenders who will try to obliterate us. They will be nearly 40,000 strong and we have to fight them in their own land.
But Warriors know this. We are 6,000 strong ourselves. We also massive attacking options and our defensive capability will be as mountains to the enemy. And we are not just 6000. We are Barnes and Blissett. We are Jennings and Holton. We are Steele and Rankin. We are the Hertsman. Our attacks will be as hordes on the enemy who unlike ourselves who fight for courage and honour and . They fight for money. We will break their Hart. We will be victorius.
Sleep well my friends. Tomorrow we march on the North
mattwfc
says...
3:13pm Fri 4 Jan 13
mattymashup wrote:The rumour was started as a joke on wfcforums and escalated from there
Speaking of Hogg there are some very very strong rumours linking him with a one million pound move to Ipswich!
Supposedly its so Zola can free up wages for vydra and co. Which I don't get as we are in my opinion covered by the pozzo umbrella.
Also supposedly because we have Eustace coming back, chalobah till end of season and a new dmf coming in from udine (badu)
Anyone know if this is true?! Lots of speculation on the web but this rumour seems to be a very strong one.
jasonwatford
says...
3:30pm Fri 4 Jan 13
I speak to you tonight on the eve of a great and momentous event, one that will live long in the memory and throughout the ages will be retold again and again by our children and children’s children.
The great battle with the North people is nearly upon us and as we sleep tonight we will awake tomorrow to face the mercenary hordes from plains of Lancashire. These men are a fearsome army, drawn from all corners of the World and amongst them they have fearsome attackers and stout solid defenders who will try to obliterate us. They will be nearly 40,000 strong and we have to fight them in their own land.
But Warriors know this. We are 6,000 strong ourselves. We also massive attacking options and our defensive capability will be as mountains to the enemy. And we are not just 6000. We are Barnes and Blissett. We are Jennings and Holton. We are Steele and Rankin. We are the Hertsman. Our attacks will be as hordes on the enemy who unlike ourselves who fight for courage and honour and . They fight for money. We will break their Hart. We will be victorius.
Sleep well my friends. Tomorrow we march on the North”
Now that made me smile...cmon you golden boys !!!!!
SimonW, Godalming
says...
3:35pm Fri 4 Jan 13
mattymashup wrote:you've obviously been on that ridiculous Football Rumours website, if you believe whats on there then we are signing Frank Lampard & Danny Graham!!
Speaking of Hogg there are some very very strong rumours linking him with a one million pound move to Ipswich!
Supposedly its so Zola can free up wages for vydra and co. Which I don't get as we are in my opinion covered by the pozzo umbrella.
Also supposedly because we have Eustace coming back, chalobah till end of season and a new dmf coming in from udine (badu)
Anyone know if this is true?! Lots of speculation on the web but this rumour seems to be a very strong one.
mattymashup
says...
3:40pm Fri 4 Jan 13
Colin West's mullet
says...
3:49pm Fri 4 Jan 13
Bogside Come Back
says...
4:06pm Fri 4 Jan 13
Hand of Destiny wrote:You/ve brought a tear to my eye
Friends Comrades Warriors
I speak to you tonight on the eve of a great and momentous event, one that will live long in the memory and throughout the ages will be retold again and again by our children and children’s children.
The great battle with the North people is nearly upon us and as we sleep tonight we will awake tomorrow to face the mercenary hordes from plains of Lancashire. These men are a fearsome army, drawn from all corners of the World and amongst them they have fearsome attackers and stout solid defenders who will try to obliterate us. They will be nearly 40,000 strong and we have to fight them in their own land.
But Warriors know this. We are 6,000 strong ourselves. We also massive attacking options and our defensive capability will be as mountains to the enemy. And we are not just 6000. We are Barnes and Blissett. We are Jennings and Holton. We are Steele and Rankin. We are the Hertsman. Our attacks will be as hordes on the enemy who unlike ourselves who fight for courage and honour and . They fight for money. We will break their Hart. We will be victorius.
Sleep well my friends. Tomorrow we march on the North
Colin West's mullet
says...
4:10pm Fri 4 Jan 13
Hand of Destiny wrote:as long as we aren't Dublin and Senior, we might be alright.
Friends Comrades Warriors
I speak to you tonight on the eve of a great and momentous event, one that will live long in the memory and throughout the ages will be retold again and again by our children and children’s children.
The great battle with the North people is nearly upon us and as we sleep tonight we will awake tomorrow to face the mercenary hordes from plains of Lancashire. These men are a fearsome army, drawn from all corners of the World and amongst them they have fearsome attackers and stout solid defenders who will try to obliterate us. They will be nearly 40,000 strong and we have to fight them in their own land.
But Warriors know this. We are 6,000 strong ourselves. We also massive attacking options and our defensive capability will be as mountains to the enemy. And we are not just 6000. We are Barnes and Blissett. We are Jennings and Holton. We are Steele and Rankin. We are the Hertsman. Our attacks will be as hordes on the enemy who unlike ourselves who fight for courage and honour and . They fight for money. We will break their Hart. We will be victorius.
Sleep well my friends. Tomorrow we march on the North
CARDIFFHORN
says...
4:17pm Fri 4 Jan 13
Colin West's mullet wrote:Which Jennings or both?
Hand of Destiny wrote:as long as we aren't Dublin and Senior, we might be alright.
Friends Comrades Warriors
I speak to you tonight on the eve of a great and momentous event, one that will live long in the memory and throughout the ages will be retold again and again by our children and children’s children.
The great battle with the North people is nearly upon us and as we sleep tonight we will awake tomorrow to face the mercenary hordes from plains of Lancashire. These men are a fearsome army, drawn from all corners of the World and amongst them they have fearsome attackers and stout solid defenders who will try to obliterate us. They will be nearly 40,000 strong and we have to fight them in their own land.
But Warriors know this. We are 6,000 strong ourselves. We also massive attacking options and our defensive capability will be as mountains to the enemy. And we are not just 6000. We are Barnes and Blissett. We are Jennings and Holton. We are Steele and Rankin. We are the Hertsman. Our attacks will be as hordes on the enemy who unlike ourselves who fight for courage and honour and . They fight for money. We will break their Hart. We will be victorius.
Sleep well my friends. Tomorrow we march on the North
WessexLad
says...
5:11pm Fri 4 Jan 13
"Striker Mario Balotelli (virus) is available..."
Does that mean he's had one or he is one?
Mickey Quinn, not so thin
says...
5:14pm Fri 4 Jan 13
bigdave8
says...
6:11pm Fri 4 Jan 13
Boosey
says...
7:30pm Fri 4 Jan 13
Hand of Destiny wrote:Quality!
Friends Comrades Warriors I speak to you tonight on the eve of a great and momentous event, one that will live long in the memory and throughout the ages will be retold again and again by our children and children’s children. The great battle with the North people is nearly upon us and as we sleep tonight we will awake tomorrow to face the mercenary hordes from plains of Lancashire. These men are a fearsome army, drawn from all corners of the World and amongst them they have fearsome attackers and stout solid defenders who will try to obliterate us. They will be nearly 40,000 strong and we have to fight them in their own land. But Warriors know this. We are 6,000 strong ourselves. We also massive attacking options and our defensive capability will be as mountains to the enemy. And we are not just 6000. We are Barnes and Blissett. We are Jennings and Holton. We are Steele and Rankin. We are the Hertsman. Our attacks will be as hordes on the enemy who unlike ourselves who fight for courage and honour and . They fight for money. We will break their Hart. We will be victorius. Sleep well my friends. Tomorrow we march on the North
Hayes Hornet
says...
9:08pm Fri 4 Jan 13
PS wonder how many of us will be at Boro next week?
paultheshrink
says...
9:25pm Fri 4 Jan 13
"We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
for he today that sheds his blood with me
shall be my brother be he ne'er so vile;
this day shall gentle his condition; and gentlemen in England now a-bed
shall think themselves accursed they were not here,
and hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
who fought with us upon St Crispins' day
Henry V
Never thought I would find an opportunity to quote Shakespeare on here!!!
GianlucaVialli the better italian
says...
10:52pm Fri 4 Jan 13
Hand of Destiny wrote:This is Sparta.....I mean Watford!
Friends Comrades Warriors
I speak to you tonight on the eve of a great and momentous event, one that will live long in the memory and throughout the ages will be retold again and again by our children and children’s children.
The great battle with the North people is nearly upon us and as we sleep tonight we will awake tomorrow to face the mercenary hordes from plains of Lancashire. These men are a fearsome army, drawn from all corners of the World and amongst them they have fearsome attackers and stout solid defenders who will try to obliterate us. They will be nearly 40,000 strong and we have to fight them in their own land.
But Warriors know this. We are 6,000 strong ourselves. We also massive attacking options and our defensive capability will be as mountains to the enemy. And we are not just 6000. We are Barnes and Blissett. We are Jennings and Holton. We are Steele and Rankin. We are the Hertsman. Our attacks will be as hordes on the enemy who unlike ourselves who fight for courage and honour and . They fight for money. We will break their Hart. We will be victorius.
Sleep well my friends. Tomorrow we march on the North
bushey tales
says...
11:00pm Fri 4 Jan 13
D.unstable
says...
11:11pm Fri 4 Jan 13
He that outlives this day, and comes safe home,
Will stand a tip-toe when the day is named,
And rouse him at the name of GFZ
He that shall live this day, and see old age,
Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours,
And say 'To-morrow is GFZ.
Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars.
And say 'These wounds I had on GFZ day.'
Old men forget: yet all shall be forgot,
But he'll remember with advantages
What feats he did that day: then shall our names.
Familiar in his mouth as household words
Almunia, Hoban, Abdi, Vydra and Deeney.
Be in their flowing cups freshly remember'd.
This story shall the good man teach his son;
And GFZ shall ne'er go by,
From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remember'd;
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition:
And gentlemen in England now a-bed
Shall think themselves accursed they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon GFZ day.
COYH
PhilippineOrn
says...
3:07am Sat 5 Jan 13
Glad they think we are no threat at all then!
3Lions4Ever
says...
6:01am Sat 5 Jan 13
Hand of Destiny wrote:Yeah! That's got me going. Come on you golden boys!
Friends Comrades Warriors
I speak to you tonight on the eve of a great and momentous event, one that will live long in the memory and throughout the ages will be retold again and again by our children and children’s children.
The great battle with the North people is nearly upon us and as we sleep tonight we will awake tomorrow to face the mercenary hordes from plains of Lancashire. These men are a fearsome army, drawn from all corners of the World and amongst them they have fearsome attackers and stout solid defenders who will try to obliterate us. They will be nearly 40,000 strong and we have to fight them in their own land.
But Warriors know this. We are 6,000 strong ourselves. We also massive attacking options and our defensive capability will be as mountains to the enemy. And we are not just 6000. We are Barnes and Blissett. We are Jennings and Holton. We are Steele and Rankin. We are the Hertsman. Our attacks will be as hordes on the enemy who unlike ourselves who fight for courage and honour and . They fight for money. We will break their Hart. We will be victorius.
Sleep well my friends. Tomorrow we march on the North
3Lions4Ever
says...
6:09am Sat 5 Jan 13
Hand of Destiny wrote:Just sent people to your post on Twitter. Should be very inspiring for the Hornets travelling faithful!
Friends Comrades Warriors
I speak to you tonight on the eve of a great and momentous event, one that will live long in the memory and throughout the ages will be retold again and again by our children and children’s children.
The great battle with the North people is nearly upon us and as we sleep tonight we will awake tomorrow to face the mercenary hordes from plains of Lancashire. These men are a fearsome army, drawn from all corners of the World and amongst them they have fearsome attackers and stout solid defenders who will try to obliterate us. They will be nearly 40,000 strong and we have to fight them in their own land.
But Warriors know this. We are 6,000 strong ourselves. We also massive attacking options and our defensive capability will be as mountains to the enemy. And we are not just 6000. We are Barnes and Blissett. We are Jennings and Holton. We are Steele and Rankin. We are the Hertsman. Our attacks will be as hordes on the enemy who unlike ourselves who fight for courage and honour and . They fight for money. We will break their Hart. We will be victorius.
Sleep well my friends. Tomorrow we march on the North
Vespa Crabro
says...
9:22am Sat 5 Jan 13
http://www.youtube.c
om/watch?v=6gO5nQgJ4
xs
Mohandas
says...
10:02am Sat 5 Jan 13
Yeovil FC became one of the most successful non-league team in the FA Cup – having defeated major Football League teams, most famously the then 'Bank of England side' Sunderland in the 4th Round in 1949, going on to play in front of more than 81,000 against Manchester United at unbelievable Maine Road.
mattymashup says...
3:00pm Fri 4 Jan 13
Supposedly its so Zola can free up wages for vydra and co. Which I don't get as we are in my opinion covered by the pozzo umbrella.
Also supposedly because we have Eustace coming back, chalobah till end of season and a new dmf coming in from udine (badu)
Anyone know if this is true?! Lots of speculation on the web but this rumour seems to be a very strong one.