Dr Watford's 2008 Review - April

April, and the month kicks off with a comfortable 2-1 win over Cov thanks to Smith and the Duke but it`s all down hill all the way from there…

Ok, so Kabba`s red card at Hull is rescinded as the FA demote Styles from the Premier League for a short while whilst Priskin returns from Preston and Williams plays (and scores) for the stiffs on his comeback trail from injury.

But that`s where the good news ends sadly. Catcalls for Boothroyd`s head start ringing out after a pathetic 3-0 home defeat to a rampant Barnsley. Aidy says "he would have gone home early too" and the "fans have a right to be angry" - but nobody was left at the final whistle to hear him…

Chairman Simpson publicly backs the gaffer, insisting he`ll "stand by him" and the dreaded vote of confidence works as the Hornets pull off a miracle by nicking a point at the Hawthorns (thanks to Bromby) - and it wasn`t even a long throw in.

Planning is finally granted for the new 5,000 seater East Stand and development starts. The council must like Mark Ashton`s vision of a "mini St James Park" in the middle of Watford…nobody else does mind you.

There`s also news of a tentative enquiry from potential new owners looking to buy the club from Simpson who is keen to sell but no offer is received from the Ukrainian/Hungarian/Salad Dodgers consortium.

As for on the pitch, well things get worse. A 2-0 defeat to Palace (even though the Hornets had enough chances to win 10 games) dent Watford`s promotion hopes whilst play-off reassurances look rather suspect.

A 1-0 defeat to already relegated Scunthorpe - all thanks to a goal from lifelong Watford fan, Paul Hayes - puts the nail firmly in the promotion coffin and the 'home` season at least ends on a sour note.

The players are locked in the dressing room for more than 1 hour to thrash out their issues…John Eustace insists "it`s good to talk"!

And we all wonder what might have been after such a great start. In fact, Shittu bagged a place in the Championship Team of the Season -which must add a few 000s to his summer price tag...there`s no room for Smudger Smith mind you.

Demerit does a 'Gallas` but claims he`s misquoted by the press across the pond in an article that slates Boothroyd for his lack of match action. Captain America`s punishment though is to be linked with a £1.5m move to Fulham…

And as for Collins John, well he`s riddled with "biomechanical problems" says the gaffer and he heads back - with his injured tail between his injured legs - to Craven Cottage….

He doesn`t score for Watford after promising Goals, Goals, Goals.

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