Watford v Middlesbrough - Neil Warnock back for a 41st season

Warnock sounds less glass half-full, more glass spilled all over the carpet about leading Middlesbrough against Watford, his runaway title favourites.

If keeping Boro up last season was a “Red Adair” act, reaching his play-off target would be “Double Red Adair”. With only Grant Hall and Marcus Bettinelli arriving whilst 10 have left, “If we lose two players we are really up the creek”.

“I wouldn’t recommend anyone putting any money on us,” he cautions. “We’ve got as much chance as Nicolaus Silver had of winning the Grand National that year (1961, where it was 28/1).”

Even the fixtures computer is against him. “To have Watford and Bournemouth in the first two games, then Bristol City and Cardiff in four days away from home, somebody really is taking the mickey out of us!”

It is just the way he likes it.

“Scarborough were 50-1 to win the Conference (in 1986-87), bottom with Dagenham,” he says. They did. “I’ve never been in the top six in the odds.

“Here I think the bookies have been a bit over the top if they knew what the squad’s like.

“It’s my 41st season – bloody hell, it’s frightening when you think about it. I’ve still got that same enjoyment and butterflies.”

Last week Boro scored plenty and won at home, 4-3 over Shrewsbury Town – two glaring 2019-20 weaknesses addressed. They have no injuries, a new captain in Britt Assombalonga and a first XI who can “give anybody a good game”. If he is not careful, Warnock might enjoy it so much he comes back for a 42nd season.

Last six games: Watford LLLWWL; Middlesbrough WWLWLW.

Referee: K Stroud (Hampshire).

Last time: Watford 0 Middlesbrough 0, January 14, 2017, Premier League.

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James Mitchinson