McAnuff omitted from Watford matchday squad (From Watford Observer)

McAnuff omitted from Watford matchday squad

2:36pm Saturday 22nd August 2009 in Sport By Anthony Matthews

Malky Mackay has made just the one change for this afternoon’s clash with Blackpool at Vicarage Road, but it is a significant one.

It is not surprising that Don Cowie is back in the side after missing the 4-2 win at Nottingham Forest through injury, but the absence of Jobi McAnuff from the matchday squad has raised eyebrows.

Time will tell if this is Tommy Smith’s last appearance in a Hornets shirt, but he once again starts, while new loan recruit, Arsenal’s Henri Lansbury, is on the bench.

Blackpool, meanwhile, make two changes from the side that drew 0-0 with Derby County.

Stephen Crainey comes in for Rob Edwards in the backline, while Jay Emmanuel-Thomas replaces Brett Ormerod in what is thought to be a three-pronged attack.

Watford old boy Al Bangura is among Ian Holloway’s seven substitutes.

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Watford: Loach; Mariappa, DeMerit, Williamson, Doyley; Cowie, Jenkins, Severin, Cleverley; Smith, Graham. Substitutes: Lansbury, Harley, Lee, Hoskins, Eustace, Sordell, Hodson.

Blackpool: Rachubka; Eardley, Evatt, Baptiste, Crainey; Southern, Vaughan, Adam; Emmanuel-Thomas, Taylor-Fletcher, Euell. Substitutes: Clarke, Burgess, Ormerod, Bangura, Gilks, Edwards, Demontagnac.