Burnley v Watford - Peter White's big match preview

PETER Kennedy is an expert in the export business - exporting goals that is from Vicarage Road.

For his stunning strike last Saturday, to give Watford a third round FA Cup replay against Sheffield Wednesday, was definitely a rare event in what has been a topsy-turvey 18 months or so for the 24-year-old budding Northern Ireland star.

Even though Kennedy is Watford's leading scorer with 11, it was only the second goal he has registered in front of Vicarage Road regulars this season.

And his other home goal also came in a cup tie.

But the fans who have travelled the country watching Second Division leaders Watford storm relentlessly to an inevitable First Division return have been spoiled in comparison.

All nine of the player's League goals have been scored on opposition grounds, which must sound a few warning bells for the Burnley defence as they prepare to tackle the red-hot promotion favourites in Turf Moor's bottom v top showdown tomorrow.

It is a remarkable individual scoring feat - or a case of failure and frustration at home depending on which way you view it - and has certainly had a major influence on the fact that Watford have picked up one more point on their travels (from one more game) than they have at Vicarage Road.

Perhaps even more remarkable, however, is that Graham Taylor, who took over as Watford team boss last summer, shelled out £130,000 for Kennedy without even going to watch him play!

And, only a matter of months ago, the player himself thought he was about to head for soccer's scrap heap and return to his trade working in the sheet metal industry. Signed by Colin Murphy for Notts County from Portadown, Kennedy seemed to be settling in at Meadow Lane until new boss Sam Allardyce arrived midway through last season.

He clearly wasn't a fan of the Irish lad's talents, relegated him to the reserves and a return home was on the cards.

But Oliver Phillips, the long-term Vicarage Road correspondent for the local Watford paper, recalls how Taylor stumbled across a genuine bargain.

"Kennedy had made his debut for Notts County early last season and, soon afterwards, played against Watford when he gave the very experienced Nigel Gibbs a lot of problems," he explained.

"A lot of people remembered that and Graham Taylor had also spoken to ex-player Gerry Armstrong to ask him who he thought would be the best young player to come out of Northern Ireland.

"He told him that he was already over here, playing in Notts County's reserve side.

"The recommendations he received about him were so strong that, even though Taylor had never seen him play for himself, he was prepared to buy him.

"It's a move he has never regretted."

The faith shown in him by Watford turned Kennedy's career upside down and he is now an integral part of the Hornets side which will provide Burnley with arguably their sternest challenge of the season tomorrow. Even Taylor could not have expected his 'unseen' signing to have taken off in such a way that he has battled Ronny Rosenthal for the crown of top scorer all season.

Thanks to an injury suffered by the former Spurs and Liverpool striker, Kennedy now has his nose in front.

"I don't usually make a habit of signing a player unseen," admitted the Watford boss.

"But the recommendations and the talk about him alerted me before the end of the season and he has delivered the goods.

"I was right in backing the judgment of others."

Just how right could be a major problem for Burnley tomorrow. For Chris Waddle would pay a high price - if only he had the money - to sign someone capable of matching Kennedy's scoring record.

For a player who operates in a role which could be described as wing back, or left-side midfielder - Taylor prefers the latter - he has a tremendous striking rate.

And he doesn't take penalties!

Back to Phillips: "Most of his goals have been like the one he scored against Sheffield Wednesday, or from cleverly-flighted free kicks.

"He very rarely finds himself right in front of goal. He is mainly involved in driving in angled shots."

Whatever the method, the results are impressive, promising a busy day for the right-side of the Burnley defence and keeper Marlon Beresford.

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