Cardiff couldn't have responded any better to last weekend's poor performance after putting six past Derby in midweek, but Dave Jones will be demanding more consistency from his players when the Bluebirds travel to Vicarage Road this weekend. Simon Glanville previews the big match with Watford, who have surprised many in the Championship so far this season.
Cardiff team news: Joe Ledley could face the unusual position of being a substitute on Saturday, although he is now available after a one-match ban. In his absence, his replacement, Stephen McPhail put in a top performance. Dave Jones now faces a selection dilemma in midfield.
In some positive injury news, both Kevin McNaughton and Ross McCormack are nearing a return, with the Watford game looking a bit early, but the games after the international break are a definite target.
Watford team news: Malky Mackay will be without the services of Jay DeMerit and Heider Helguson. Helguson has a calf injury while USA international DeMerit has yet to get over an eye infection. In more positive news for the Hornets, Don Cowie, Will Hoskins, Henri Lansbury, Ross Jenkins, Craig Cathcart and Scott Severin have all returned to training, and will be in contention to face Cardiff.
Watford's season so far: After struggling last season and then the departure of boss Brendan Rodgers to Reading in the summer, many were predicting a relegation battle for Watford. So far, however, that has not been the case. New striker Danny Graham opened his account in a 1-1 draw with Doncaster on the first day of the season, but the club failed to hit the target in their next match when they were defeated at Sheffield United.
Since that defeat, Watford had remained unbeaten in the league until Coventry snatched a later winner at Vicarage Road last time out. Wins have come against Nottingham Forest, Plymouth and Barnsley, while Watford have shared the spoils with Reading, Blackpool, Leicester and Swansea. In the League Cup, Barnet were seen off in round one, but the Hornets didn't progress any further than the Second Round after Leeds United edged them out at Elland Road.
Last meeting: A Ross McCormack penalty in the last minute of time added on separated the two sides the last time we met Watford. A penalty had earlier put the visiting Hornets ahead - Tommy Smith converted - before Jay Bothroyd replied for the Bluebirds. It looked to be staying that way before McCormack slotted home to send the Cardiff fans home happy.
Teams from last meeting at Ninian Park on 18th March 2009:
Bluebirds: Taylor, McNaughton, Gyepes, Roger Johnson, Capaldi, Parry (Whittingham 46), McPhail, Ledley, Burke (Chopra 74), Bothroyd, McCormack. Subs not used: Rae, Eddie Johnson, Kennedy.
Watford: Loach, Doyley, DeMerit, Williamson, Mariappa, Cork, Cowie, McAnuff, Jenkins, Smith, Priskin. Subs not used: Lee, Hoyte, Williamson, Hoskins, Cauna.
Attendance: 17,899.
Watford last time out: The Hornets suffered only their second league defeat of the season on Tuesday after Coventry came out on top in a five-goal thriller at Vicarage Road. Sammy Clingan had put the Sky Blues ahead on the night, but on-loan Manchester United youngster Tom Cleverley responded shortly after. Will Hoskins then registered to see Watford go in ahead at the break, but a second-half turnaround saw the three points go to the away side. Leon Best was the hero for Coventry, as he levelled matters on 67 minutes, before notching the winner with just six minutes of normal time left.
Watford: Loach, Doyley, Mariappa, Harley, Bennett, Hodson (Oshodi 78), Eustace, Cleverley, Cowie (Lansbury 57), Hoskins (Henderson 70), Graham. Subs not used: Lee, Severin, Sordell, Bryan.
