KELVIN Davis is hoping to curry favour with his father-in-law by helping Ipswich beat Watford today, writes Derek Davis.Davis, who today makes his 300th senior appearance, used to play for the Hornets' arch-rivals Luton Town and his wife's family are big Hatters fans, so a victory would taste twice as sweet.

KELVIN Davis is hoping to curry favour with his father-in-law by helping Ipswich beat Watford today, writes Derek Davis.

Davis, who today makes his 300th senior appearance, used to play for the Hornets' arch-rivals Luton Town and his wife's family are big Hatters fans, so a victory would taste twice as sweet.

The Town keeper has painful memories of meeting the 'Golden Boys' from Hertfordshire while with Luton.

He remembers: "I played in what was probably the worst game in Luton's recent history and we got beaten 4-0 at home. That was quite an experience. It was in the era when Graham Taylor went back and they were storming back to the Premiership.

"I always enjoy beating Watford, as do my family, especially my father-in-law."

While winning would be enjoyable Davis has the utmost respect for Watford. He said: "Watford have good players, the likes of Neal Ardley and Sean Dyche for example. They are a decent club and we know it will be a tough task. Teams like Watford come to Portman Road and raise their game but as a bigger club we have to be above that.

"Hopefully the win in midweek will have helped us, it was just what we needed. To win away and then come back to Portman Road is a great feeling and we have to fancy our chances against anyone.

"I love playing at home with the crowd getting behind us and the terrific atmosphere. So it is all there for us."

A noon kick-off for Sky television will bring the club a welcome £60,000, of which Watford get £10,000, and so is financially worth the disruption.

Davis said: "I try not to think about it. I just start my routine earlier and get on with it. I have kicked off at 11am before with Luton and to be honest I quite enjoy the change in routine."

The Town keeper, who also gets to play his former club Wimbledon next week, is keen to keep his seventh clean sheet of the season. He was disappointed that Keith Andrews' quick free-kick for Walsall on Tuesday spoilt an otherwise wonderful night.

Davis groaned: "It was one of those goals that can happen to any side but thankfully it did not cost us a point, just a clean sheet for me, which I'm very disappointed about.

"It is a funny rule. The referee has asked him if he wants a quick kick or the whistle and there was a long pause before he made his mind up. Meanwhile, I can't line my wall up until I know what is going on, so I'm stood in the middle of my goal.

"The only criticism we might have is we were too honest by not standing in front of the ball and were too efficient in getting back 10 yards. We will learn from that."

Town will be helped by having Matt Elliott in defence and Davis is already impressed with the new arrival.

He said: "He is a centre-half with the kind of quality that we want. That is not to say the lads playing have not been doing a job, he is just different to any player we already have. He has presence in the box to head the ball and clear the ball and he proved it at Walsall.

"His job is to defend and he does that."