Watford in need of Yankie Superpower

Watford are cursing the loss of all action American centre back Jay DeMerit to a calf strain injury after seeing the dreaded 'goals against` column mount up since his absence.

DeMerit has been missing in action since the West Brom defeat in early November and in that time the previously 'hard to breach` Hornets defence have leaked 9 goals in 4 games (including 3 at Oakwell yesterday), picked up only 4 points from a possible 12 on offer and looked decidedly shaky under pressure!

The Green Bay born stopper had formed a reliable partnership with man mountain Danny Shittu in the heart of a Hornets backline that had only conceded 12 goals in the opening 13 games of the Championship season, including a trio of back-to-back shut outs to move clear at the top.

VitalWatford are pleased as punch to hear that Glory Hornets gaffer, Sir Aidy Boothroyd, also reckons that the current crop of Watford defenders miss the stradying influence of DeMerit. He told the Watford Observer "He`s a real leader on the pitch. I do believe Jay is one of those players who just gets a toe or a head in or gets a cut where others wouldn`t get cut…He`s clever in what he does now".

Well said Sir Aidy. Now let`s get DeMerit back and ready to face Bristol City on Saturday.