The dreaded late consolation

The rejoicing from the excellent travelling contingent can be heard for many a mile if not all the way back up the M3.

“We are going up, say we are going up”, shout the resplendent Hornet fans as they return to their cars and continued merriment.

And why should they not be happy and confident having just witnessed an extension of their sides' scintillating run since the turn of the year, which now encompasses 9 victories in 12 games.

Closer examination reveals that a meritorious ten away victories has now been recorded, many more than any Watford fan could possibly have dreamed of at the start of the season, not to mention the same number of home triumph's, sustained consistency which has propelled the Golden Boys into serious automatic promotion contention.

However, upon even more detailed analytical reflection one important issue is sure to be bugging the articulate Aidy Boothroyd, the conceding of the ‘dreaded late consolation' goal.

It is a well known fact that to be ultimately successful football teams need to play to the final whistle, and Boothroyd's men have performed admirably well under pressure in the closing stages of a number of games this season.

Who can forget the thunderous header delivered by Clarke Carlisle in the 89th minute to defeat Derby County at Pride Park on August Bank Holiday Monday, or Matthew Spring's last gasp winner at Norwich City's Carrow Road in late January that turned one point into three?

Indeed, as recently as the last home match Al Bangura flashed home a low drive in the 94th minute to deny Derby County maximum revenge for the loss already mentioned.

Further investigation reveals that Ashley Young netted late at Hillsborough to deny Sheffield Wednesday all three points, and that Malky Mackay did likewise at the Walkers Stadium to thwart Leicester City.

These late goals alone have ensured Watford has picked up seven extra points than if the games had ended after 85 minutes.

So playing for the full 90 or in most cases 94 plus minutes does not appear to present a problem!

Or does it?

Although the Saints' Peter Madsen looked suspiciously offside at St.Mary's on Monday, referee Mr. I Williamson allowed the goal to stand, making it the fourth time this season that the Golden Boys have conceded a ‘dreaded late consolation' goal in games that for all intents and purposes they had sewn up.

With just four points now separating Sheffield United, Watford and Leeds United in the Championship table there is every possibility the last automatic promotion place may be decided by goal difference. So will the ‘dreaded late consolation' goals conceded at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers, Queens Park Rangers, Sheffield Wednesday and now at Southampton ultimately prove decisive?

Current table

Boothroyd when interviewed invariably mentions his praiseworthy team is learning and evolving at all times and the manager himself certainly knows the importance of goal difference.

“I remember when I was at Norwich City they reached the play-offs by just one goal” quipped the manager when analysing the issue last November.

With many twists left in this fascinating season let's all hope that Monday sees the end of the ‘dreaded late consolation' goal, and that the ones already conceded do not come back to haunt a Watford side so deserving of automatic promotion come April 30th.