There is only one word to describe my feelings prior to Watford’s game at Blackpool on Sunday: Anxious. It's only one word but it actually covers a multitude of feelings.

It’s quite simple, really - win the game and we are in the play-offs, draw the game and we are in the play-offs if Crystal Palace and Wolves both draw or lose. Lose the game and we are in the play-offs if two out of Crystal Palace, Wolves, Ipswich and Sheffield United draw or lose. OK, it’s not all that simple!

So what am I anxious about? Well, obviously I am anxious about the actual game. Going into such a crucial game with only one win in 13 matches is hardly ideal preparation. We seem to have forgotten how to win and winning is the only way to guarantee a play-off place.

'I am anxious about the fact Aidy Boothroyd is feeling the pressure and that his natural confidence and ability to motivate might have temporarily left him'


I am anxious about the fact that Blackpool have so much to play for as well. A few weeks ago it looked as though Watford’s last game would be against a team who were in mid-table with nothing to play for. Lovely. But only one win in their last ten games means that depending on other results, Blackpool may need a win to guarantee their survival in the division.

I am anxious about the fact that Aidy Boothroyd is feeling the pressure and that his natural confidence and ability to motivate might have temporarily left him. He is talking about feeling as low as he has ever felt. An hour-long inquest after last week’s defeat at home to relegated Scunthorpe will hopefully have cleared the air, but I’m not sure.
I am anxious that the players have developed a losing mentality and that if we don’t score early the nerves will get the better of them. I am anxious that should Blackpool nick the first goal, we could fall apart.

I am anxious that in this very strange season it is quite possible that we could still be in the play-offs even if we lose on Sunday. It is a commonly-held belief that you need to be in good form going into those tense and nerve-wracking games. One win in 14 would not really count as good form.

I am anxious that we will make the play-offs. Although I desperately want us to do so, I am also dreading the unbearable tension that those horrible games bring with them. Winning them is great. I well remember victory against Bolton at Wembley and Leeds at Cardiff as two of the best days of my life. However, I also remember going out of the Championship play-off semi-finals to Blackburn on away goals. That was one of the worst days.

I am anxious about the fact that we might make the play-offs and actually win them. That will bring the fear of entering the lions den of the Premier League again. Last time was bad, the time before was worse. It would be a strange person who didn’t fear the possibility that if we do go up, we could 'do a Derby’.

I am anxious about the fact that we could fail to win and drop out of the play-off places. After spending more weeks at the top of the league than any other team, being eight or nine points clear and never being outside the top five, not even making the play-offs would be a bitter pill to swallow.

So there we are. I’m anxious, very, very anxious.

Roll on four o’clock on Sunday when we will know what is happening. But then I could be anxious about what is going to happen to my club if we don’t make it... or anxious about them if we do.

Help!