Sunday saw a remarkable performance and result for The Tigers: 2-0 against Watford on their own patch. Only the true optimists would have predicted that. Or anyone who had looked at the form books actually, with Watford only having won 1 in 14. Saying that, the tie is far from over as Watford have the best away record in the Championship this season, losing only 4 games of 23 played. But one of those was a crushing 3-0 at the fortress KC and Watford won't fancy going back there.
The Tigers seem to have come out of the first leg relatively unscathed but Dean Marney had an unfortunate training ground accident days earlier. However, Nicky Barmby seems to be right back into the thick of things, scoring one and having a hand in the other on Sunday, as well as putting in a great performance for the 63 minutes he was on the pitch. I'm sure with a bit of match fitness under his belt now he can now last a bit longer on Wednesday.
Nathan Doyle has also thrown his hat into the ring to start in any wide position where a teammate can't make it after another superb cameo appearance, when he hit the post with an awesome strike.
Upfront Campbell and Windass looked very lively, both of them being involved in the goals with Windass grabbing one for himself, so I cannot see that being changed for the return leg. The centre backs and Myhill are also automatic choices at the moment.
Since Marney is doubtful, Hughes will probably retain his place but on the other hand Simon Walton might enter the fray as a more defensive option, just to see the tie out with minimum drama. Okocha is hoping for a return on the bench. Phil Brown is expected to keep faith in the good old 4-4-2 after yielding an impressive result last time round.
Barring any further injuries I expect an unchanged line up of:
Ricketts, Turner, Brown, Dawson
Garcia, Hughes, Ashbee (c), Barmby
Campbell, Windass
Where Watford are concerned there is some good news and some bad. Eustace's red card for headbutting at the hands of a rather inconsistent Kevin Friend means - unless overturned - he will miss Wednesday's game, and the final should Watford progress. Danny Shittu limped off after an hour and is rated at 50/50 to make the second leg. On the plus side for Watford they have top scorer Darius Henderson back after a one game ban.
With the Premiership season now over all focus should be on the Play-offs so if you can't make it to the game there should be a pub showing it but check the pub you're going to is showing our game and not the Uefa Cup Final. Also bear in mind there are tickets still available for the game at the KC; it is not yet sold out.
The game is expect to be played on a mild East Yorkshire evening under clear skies on the 14th May 7.45pm lick-off which I think will result in another comfortable 2-0 victory for The Tigers.