2007: Year of the Hornet - February

February starts off with a spot of Parkes life for Watford as young full back Jordan [Parkes] and pacy striker Theo Robinson sign professional contracts with the club.

The Hornets gaffer makes space for the Academy scholars by clearing out former Spurs youngster Claude Seanla and Sheku Kamara from his ranks - 2 players that Boothroyd bought in just 1 year ago.

It might well have been a sold out Vicarage Road for the visit of Sam Allerdyce`s Bolton but Watford 'never turned up` as a second half strike by the impressive Nicolas Anelka took the points back north on the Wanderers bus.

Yet all was not lost as Ben Fosters form - on-loan from Man Utd - was top drawer enough to earn him a start in goal for England and only a 63rd goal by Barcelona`s Iniesta stopped Foster from picking up a clean sheet in a 1-0 defeat!

Meanwhile, new kid off the Eastern Block, Tamas Priskin was finding his international striking boots for Hungary as the young Watford striker ran Italian centre back Fabio Cannevaro ragged in a 3-1 win

On the Hertfordshire home front, midfielder Dominic Blizzard was sent on a 1 month whirlwind loan to promotion chasing Stockport County, whilst Albert Jarrett jetted off to Boston United and young Theo Robinson joined Wealdstone!

It was all smiles for the Hornets again at Upton Park as Hendo was spot on with his first goal of the season to record Watford`s first away win in the Premiership v West Ham.

Centre back Clarke Carlisle returned to action for the stiffs at Charlton after 10 months out injured.

There was even more FA Cup joy as a late late finish by Damien Francis nicked the Hornets a win v Ipswich (after being totally outplayed by the Championship side) to set up a quarter final meeting with Plymouth…Thoughts of `84 flooded the press!

In the league, King Marlon picked up a microphone to whip the fans into one almighty frenzy ahead of a relegation 6-pointer against Wigan but the 10-man Latics held on for a point in a 1-1 draw after Hendo had put the Horns in front. Fitz Hall got dismissed from the pitch for being, well, Fitz Hall (and very little else).

Watford finally came unstuck against the Toffees as they pressed the self destruct button against Everton for whom Fernandes, Johnson and Osman showed off their class in front of goal in a 0-3 home loss.

A rating chaser at the BBC made the ludicrous decision to screen the Home Park FA Cup tie on the South Coast as an even kick-off - on a Sunday - so the club offer free travel to Plymouth for fans wishing to avoid re-runs of Last of the Summer Wine!

Young Academy starlet Harry Forrester pulls up a few trees at the end of February when he is named in the England U16 midfield for a clash v Slovenia. The Young Lions lost 3-1 but Forrester looks handy.