Aidy ready to pit his wits against Warnock

8:34am Saturday 19th April 2008

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Watford will today face a transformed Crystal Palace side from the one they defeated at Selhurst Park in October.

That 2-0 win for the Hornets took them 21 points clear of then third bottom Palace, but the Eagles have turned things around to such an extent under Neil Warnock that they could move to within a point of Watford with victory this afternoon.

"They've got renewed vigour and are a lot nastier than they were," said Boothroyd.

"They have found an edge and that probably comes form Neil.

"Palace started awfully but if you start badly things can only get better. Neil has put his stamp on the team and brought a couple of players in."

The touchline battle between Boothroyd and Warnock, two incendiary characters, will be a fascinating sub plot to events at Vicarage Road tomorrow.

"We get on OK," said Boothroyd. "I don't go out for dinner with him but I respect what he has done in the game. He has a terrific record, is outspoken and says what he thinks.

"He is blunt and upsets people. He doesn't upset or irritate me and there is never a cross word between us."