THERE were no prizes for guessing the hot topic of conversation going into Saturday's game against Plymouth. The ongoing case involving John Eustace's red card rumbles on as Watford await to hear if his ban will be upped beyond the initial three games.

With that in mind, Aidy Boothroyd knows that he must look to other midfield options on Saturday and there are several in contention.

For now, Boothroyd admitted that the club will be appealing against any further ban, but not the initial red card.

Boothroyd explained: "We're not appeal the sending off, I've looked at it carefully and have decided that it is a different case to that of John-Joe O'Toole entirely. This is someone's judgement, the referee's judgement and when you get into that, it gets ambiguous. There are no clear rules there.

"So rather than appeal, even though I didn't think it was a sending off, we've decided to not risk the danger of losing the appeal and getting a further ban. The last thing I need is to lose his abilities for three games let alone four or five."

Watford have today lodged their appeal to the new charge of Improper Conduct and will be granted a personal hearing on Tuesday where the FA will review the evidence supplied to them by the club. Boothroyd is confident that the correct decision will now be made.

"I'm hopeful that common sense prevails in this situation. What we've asked for is a personal hearing and we will go and state our case.

"It would be a massive loss to lose John for such a length of time and I'm sure common sense will prevail. The people at the FA aren't daft and they'll make the correct decision I'm sure."

Despite being hard done by, Boothroyd still had some sympathy for referees.

"You could have a rant at people every week if you allow emotions to get in the way. Referees have a difficult job when you consider they have to asses what is serious foul play and when is someone interfering with play in an offside position. Consistency is important but it's all down to opinions.

"Like players and managers have personalities, referees do as well. Our referee at Burnley had only officiated six games but I thought he was superb. It could have kicked off several times, but he was a calming influence. The referee is a part of the game but you only ask that he flows with the game and gets the big decisions right.

"It's a difficult one to call, but I do think they have a difficult job."

The appeal aside, the bigger headache for Boothroyd will be who replaces Eustace now. At this stage of the season where every point counts, the last person you want to be without is your midfield linchpin and captain.

But the manager believes he will have others waiting in the wings who will be able to hold the fort.

"Lee Williamson is in contention, as is Al Bangura. We haven't tried Douglas Rinaldi either yet this season. I've got options to go to a three if I think it needs beefing up a bit and in a few weeks I could be able to call upon Gareth Williams and Damien Francis."

As for Watford's form, Boothroyd is pleased with the consistency shown of late, but knows that in Plymouth he will face stiff competition as the Pilgrims look to increase their stranglehold on a play-off place.

"Every game is a big one at this stage of the season, if Plymouth can take points off us they will think they will be in with a shout of the play-offs. You have to make sure that you win more than you draw. We're doing everything right at the moment, bar putting the ball in the back of the net - which is what the game's all about.

"It was important that we didn't lose those games against Bristol and Stoke, not that I would ever go anywhere to draw. When you consider that we missed two penalties, we could have walked away with six points. But that's all 'coulds, woulds, ifs, buts and maybes' and we don't live in that world, we live in the world of getting results.

"But I like going to Home Park, it will be tight and intimidating as it usually is. They don't like us visiting I'm sure because we've got history with them. Paul is a very astute manager and he'll be looking forward to this just as I am."

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