SEAN O' Driscoll's Doncaster Rovers were known for their free flowing football in the Championship last season and they'll be looking to again play attractive football again this forthcoming campaign.
This summer the south Yorkshire outfit have been unbeaten in pre-season, keeping three clean sheets in five games.
In their penultimate pre-season game Rovers achieved a credible draw against Wolves, handing starts to a number of trialists most notably John Oster and Quinton Fortune, the latter signing on a short term deal, this week.
The match itself was a fitting testimonial for long serving director of football Micky Walker, who has helped transform the club's fortunes over the last 10 years.
Speaking to their official website, O'Driscoll said after the match with Wolves on Saturday: "We've had five weeks now and generally; the squad is the same as it was last season.
"Everybody has played their part and everybody has worked hard. Their attitude and determination has been first class. We just have to look at what Watford do and pick a team that can get us a result."
The loss of Richie Wellens to Leicester and the recent sale of Matthew Mills to Reading have hampered Rovers' preparations but O'Driscoll has been quick to respond signing centre half Byron Webster and full back Mustapha Dumbuya this week.
TEAM NEWS
Rovers are set to be without defender Jos Van Nieuwstadt, after he underwent a hernia operation, the Dutchman is expected to resume training in a week or two.
New signings Fortune, Byron Webster and Mustapha Dumbuya are all pressing for places in O'Driscoll's starting line up.
Steve Brooker (ankle) and Sean McDaid (knee) are both missing.
LAST TIME THE TEAMS MET
On a sunny afternoon in April The Keepmoat Stadium played host to two sides battling for points to secure Championship safety.
Rovers started the day one place ahead of the 'Orns and both teams were looking to get back into the swing of things after an international break.
The home team started strong and Scott Loach was required to confidently deal with any efforts.
Having seen off some early pressure it was Watford that struck first.
After some neat play by Tamas Priskin down the right flank, the Hungarian cut the ball back into the box only for Sam Hird to deflect it past his own keeper.
Soon after the goal the visitors struck again. This time Adrian Mariappa exploited space down the right, expertly picking out Don Cowie at the far post.
The Scot looped his header over fellow countryman Neil Sullivan to all but seal the win.
After the break both sides took time to settle.
Rovers made it interesting with a late goal five minutes from time.
James Hayter curling a delicious shot past the out stretched Loach, but it was too little too late as the sides swapped positions in the table and Rovers suffered their eighth home defeat of the season.
HEAD TO HEAD
Watford and Doncaster have met 13 times in all competitions, with the Golden Boys having the upper hand with seven wins, compared to four for Rovers. There have been two draws, one of which happened last season.
Last season was the first time the two sides had met in over 30 years.
Watford did the double over Doncaster back in the 1977/78, recording their highest league victory against Rovers at home winning 6-0.
Doncaster's best wins over Watford were a pair 2-1 wins at Vicarage Road back in the 1955 and 1960 respectively.
HORNETSBET
Home win - 11/10
Away win - 12/5
Draw - 12/5
Article by Matthew Pearson
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