THE MATCH
Brentford v Watford, Sky Bet Championship, Griffin Park, February 10 2015
THE OFFICIALS
Referee: Keith Stroud
Assistants: Daniel Cook and Ian Cooper
Fourth Official: Andy D’Urso
Mr Stroud has been a Football League referee since the start of the 2004/05 season and has taken charge of 13 Brentford games in that time, many of them highly controversial.
He took charge of two games at Griffin Park last season – Brentford’s 1-0 win over Shrewsbury Town in October 2013 and a televised 2-1 win over Gillingham last January – that passed off without incident but other games have been more interesting.
He refereed Brentford’s last two trips to Wycombe Wanders, one in November 2009 when The Bees lost 1-0 – Mr Stroud gave a debatable penalty, another which was saved by Wojciech Szczesny and sent off James Wilson in the defeat, and one in September 2011 when Kevin O’Connor scored the only goal of the game from the penalty spot.
He also awarded The Bees a penalty at Griffin Park in an October 2012 win over Coventry City – a late one scored by Harry Forrester.
His first Brentford game was a Boxing Day defeat to Torquay United in 2004.
He took charge of Brentford’s League One Play-Off draw with Swansea City in South Wales in May 2006, sending off Stuart Nelson, and the 2-0 win over Huddersfield Town in January 2006 when he sent off Ricky Newman and visiting goalkeeper Paul Rachubka.
His last Brentford away game is one that will live long in the memory.
He took charge of Brentford’s trip to Bramall Lane to take on Sheffield United in April 2013 – an evening that saw four penalties awarded, three players sent off and the game end 2-2.
THE KIT
Brentford will be in their red and white shirts.
THE MILESTONES
Jake Bidwell is set to play the 150th game of his professional career; it will also be his 149th Brentford appearance.
If Alan Judge is fit to return after injury he will play his 49th Brentford match while Sam Saunders could play his 197th league match.
Moses Odubajo is in line to play the 147th game of his career while Toumani Diagouraga, who made his 200th Brentford appearance at Leeds United on Saturday, is set to play his 296th Football League match.
THE LAST MEETING
September 30 2014, Sky Bet Championship – Watford 2 Brentford 1
Brentford line-up: Button; McCormack, Tarkowski, Craig, Bidwell; Douglas, Diagouraga (sub Proschwitz); Odubajo, Judge, Jota (sub Pritchard); Gray
Subs (not used): Bonham, Tébar, Toral, Dean, Betinho
Brentford goal scorer: Douglas
Watford striker Matěj Vydra scored a brilliant winning goal as Brentford were beaten at Vicarage Road.
THE LEAGUE POSITIONS
Brentford: 4th
Watford: 6th
Click here for a full league table.
THE RECENT FORM
Last six competitive fixtures – most recent first
(90 minute scores)
Brentford: W-L-W-W-W-L
Watford: W-L-W-W-L-L
THE COVERAGE
Bees Player will be providing full commentary.
THE ESSENTIALS
Ticket information can be seen here.
Place a bet on this match on the Brentford FC Sky Bet site here.