Spurs v Watford - preview panel

Our preview panel for Watford - Paul Robinson, who scored against the Hornets back in 2007 and Harry Gray, who knows our opponents inside-out in his role as senior sports reporter at the Watford Observer.

The Legend – Paul Robinson

Fans’ favourite ‘Robbo’ joined us in the summer of 2004 and within months was England’s number one. He made 175 appearances for us between 2004-08 and became only the third Spurs goalkeeper to score - against Watford in 2007. He retired last summer after 19 years at the top.

“Watford have a way of doing things and it’s a method that works and keeps them in the Premier League. They have a good squad of players there and are always dangerous going forward. They are an established Premier League team now and that’s to their full credit.

“Having said all that, I think this is a good game for Spurs to come back to after the disappointing result against Manchester United.

I’ve been impressed with how the team has played at Wembley. I think the turning point was Real Madrid and they’ve really made Wembley home, really pushed on.”

The Pundit – Harry Gray  

Harry is senior sports reporter covering Watford for the Watford Observer. 

“Watford’s season has followed a remarkably similar narrative to their previous two in the top flight, with an end of season slump arriving hot on the heels of securing a position of relative safety. They arrive at Wembley on the back of a six-game winless run and, but for the paucity of quality elsewhere in the league, would still be in genuine danger of the drop.

“Watford will, however, take confidence from a much-improved performance against Crystal Palace last time out. A 0-0 draw against a side still in the relegation conversation may not look like much, but a first clean sheet in six attempts is not to be sniffed at.

“It’s little surprise the shutout coincided with the return of Christian Kabasele to the Watford defence. The Hornets look a far more stable defensive unit with the Belgian in situ alongside Craig Cathcart. The duo have both had injury plagued campaigns, but are likely to remain the preferred pairing for the rest of the campaign.

Javi Gracia opted for a 4-4-2 formation against Palace and was rewarded with impressive displays from Troy Deeney and Stefano Okaka. The former is likely to miss out with a foot injury, and expect to see the physical presence of Okaka at the point of the Watford attack.