EVEN up to the point when Arsenal scored their second goal in that fateful few minute period, I was convinced we were going to get a draw. Especially when Gifton Noel-Williams rose so majestically to nod home one of the best headers ever seen.
But it was not to be and, you have to agree with our Luca, the gulf in class between Arsenal and the Hornets was frighteningly wide. And a lot wider than I think most people could have imagined.
I don't think it was that Watford played badly, they were simply outplayed by a side that looked as if they were far from firing on all cylinders. Had this been a semi final, I reckon we could have been looking at seven or eight goals going past Chamberlain instead of the four so thank goodness for some indifference on the parts of Kanu, Henry and Ljungberg.
So, what do we do? On that performance, if we were promoted this season what would happen next year? To spend a fortune on players to try and stay up is suicide - as we have seen from some of the teams languishing in the first with massive financial problems caused by trying just that - and, with some exceptions, I'm not sure that the players we have are up to the task. Answers on a postcard, please.
Still, this was Arsenal. And they are looking like the best team in the Premiership so far this season, what with Liverpool's recent inconsistency and Leeds' walloping by Cardiff (what was all that about?) - not to mention the fall of the great Man Utd. So that means there are teams in the Premiership there for the taking (Charlton!), so I suppose it's not all doom and gloom.
Anyway, all we have left to concentrate on now is the league and it's about time we strung together some consistency there too. After a long spell with one of the best defensive records in the division, things have gone suddenly wrong. In the last five games, we've conceded 13 goals. Not pretty, especially when you consider four goals were conceded in three of those games and that Alec Chamberlain has made some outstanding saves as well.
There's a good chance to make up for recent problems when we face Rotherham on Saturday. Interestingly, Rotherham comes up as Earthworm in a spell check. Just thought I'd share that.
Although we beat them 3-2 at the beginning of the season, it could easily have been a draw but for former Man United striker Mark Robbins fluffing a later penalty and, when you consider the crap run of form the Millers endured in the opening half of the season, we should have beaten them far more comprehensively.
They've picked up lately, but still can't win many and have relied on draws to keep them out of the relegation zone, however it's important not to underestimate them.
Ronnie Moore has had problems in training lately because of the frozen pitch and with cancelled games to endure as well, the team could be a little stale. However, cancelled matches also means a nice rest for players and the enforced break means Moore will have almost a full complement of players to choose from on Saturday.
Crucially, however, the postponed FA Cup clash with Southampton means influential defender Martin McIntosh will be missing the Watford game due to suspension and, as the former Hibs man has helped turn many a potential defeat into a draw, he will be sorely missed.
Despite Moore's full squad and freshness being on their side, I can't see Watford coming back from Millmoor with anything less than a point and, as at some point along the way some team is going to suffer a backlash from the suffering players, I think Watford will enjoy a convincing win.
Pieman's Prediction: A Watford win.
