THIS Sunday sees the Hornets take on Hull City at Vicarage Road in the play-off semi-final first leg, as the 'Orns try to put recent league form behind them and put their own positive play-off experience to good use.

Phil Brown's Hull side finished third in the league and are considered the favourites and one of the form sides going into the end of season lottery.

Meanwhile the Golden Boys managed a point at Bloomfield Road last weekend to secure sixth position, just out of the clutches of Wolves who were coming up strong on the rails.

The defeat at the KC Stadium will still be all too fresh in the minds for some Hornets and that will give Aidy Boothroyd's men that extra reason to put on a good show in front of the Vic crowd.

That was a grim day for the Golden Boys and still lingers in the mind of Boothroyd who offers no excuses for that poor showing in Hull.

He said: "First of all we didn't turn up, they started better than us on the day and they actually 'out-Watforded' Watford, and they fully deserved their win.

"Against a team like Hull, with the home record they've got, you don't give yourself much chance if you start as badly as we did, so things can only get better."

Brown's side have in fact had a patchy period since they defeated Watford and he was crowned Manager of the Month. Their last five games have resulted in two wins, two defeats and a draw.

Clapping the fans... Boothroyd is looking for strong support

However their storming season has set up the biggest games in the club's history.

For Boothroyd's side the play-offs offer the perfect opportunity, with one last chance to make amends for the disappointing league form of late.

The 'Orns have trained at Vicarage Road this week to, in Boothroyd's words, 'just try something different' and reacclimatize themselves with their home turf.

The boss is in a determined frame of mind and believes his players can cope with the added pressure. He said: "The play-offs are completely different, there's a lot more media attention, it's a lot more pressure on the game and of course there's a £60m prize at the end of it."

The Tigers have a good pedigree with plenty of big name players and a large squad which could give Watford cause for concern.

Aidy's side have been happiest on the road this season

Boothroyd added: "Hull are the form team in their opinion, everyone in the play-offs would have probably wanted to avoid Hull and play Watford. So the favourites are against the least favorites - we'll have to see how we go.
 
"I do think Hull are a very good team and they finished third because they deserved it. Phil's done a great job, he's got a great team of staff around him, in Steve Parkin and Brian Horton.

"He's got a huge squad and a very talented one, it certainly gives us a few challenges to try and think about what team he's going to play because he's got so many different options, and finally they're a strong unit too."

Darius Henderson will have to watch from the stands on Sunday as he is suspended with a one-match ban after getting his marching orders at Blackpool. The big striker will be available for the second leg at the KC Stadium on Wednesday.

Henderson is a big player for the 'Orns and one that'll be missed as the boss explained.

"He is a pivotal player so it has to mean a change, he's a fans' favourite and quite rightly so. He's a players' favourite too because he's such a great outlet."

Back at the Vic the 'Orns have a chnace to make amends

Boothroyd is hoping striker Steve Kabba will be fit after he has suffered with a dead leg although neither Gareth Williams and Damien Francis won't feature until pre-season after their respective knee injuries.

With Henderson's absence, it looks likely that Nathan Ellington will partner Tamas Priskin in attack for the Golden Boys.

There was an upbeat feel around the training ground this week as the sun has started to shine and it also resembles a mini-chapter in the Hornets' season.

The manager said: "Our form has not been good and what better time to change that than on a sunny Sunday against a team that finished third but will probably be pleased that they've got us.

"We set ourselves a problem if you like, with expectation and we added to that by starting so damn well. Since then it's been 'come on Watford what are you doing?' Particularly at home.

"Then we finish the season with the best away record in the league. We've certainly got to put smiles on our fans' faces and they deserve it, they've not got what they deserve this season and we're sorry for that but what better way to finish the season than with a brilliant, resounding, noisy home win."

Kick-off is at midday tomorrow (Sunday). If you haven't yet secured your ticket click here for further info.

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