Arsenal, Bournemouth, Burnley, Crystal Palace, Chelsea, Everton, Hull City, Leicester City, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Middlesbrough, Southampton, Stoke City, Sunderland, Swansea City, Tottenham Hotspur
Last season
A hugely successful return to the Premier League for the Hornets, culminating in a safe mid-table finish and FA Cup semi-final. Even more importantly, they found a couple of important contributors when it came to finding the net. Both captain Troy Deeney and Odion Ighalo got off to flying starts as far as goalscoring is concerned, with the latter quickly into double figures. Though the second half of the year saw a rapid decline in Watford's ability to find the net, they were still able to comfortably stave off the threat of relegation, highlighting once again the fantastic job done by Quique Sanchez Flores and his team.
A hugely successful return to the Premier League for the Hornets, culminating in a safe mid-table finish and FA Cup semi-final. Even more importantly, they found a couple of important contributors when it came to finding the net. Both captain Troy Deeney and Odion Ighalo got off to flying starts as far as goalscoring is concerned, with the latter quickly into double figures. Though the second half of the year saw a rapid decline in Watford's ability to find the net, they were still able to comfortably stave off the threat of relegation, highlighting once again the fantastic job done by Quique Sanchez Flores and his team.
Backroom setup
Despite the success, Flores made it abundantly clear that he would not be staying at Watford for the remainder of his contract, opting instead to move back to his native Spain with Espanyol. The Watford board, however, pulled off in my eyes a masterstroke, replacing Flores with ex-Napoli and Inter Milan boss Walter Mazzarri. The extravagant Italian brings with his an exciting style of play, as well as European experience, which will prove invaluable to Watford as they look to pull their way up the table.
Despite the success, Flores made it abundantly clear that he would not be staying at Watford for the remainder of his contract, opting instead to move back to his native Spain with Espanyol. The Watford board, however, pulled off in my eyes a masterstroke, replacing Flores with ex-Napoli and Inter Milan boss Walter Mazzarri. The extravagant Italian brings with his an exciting style of play, as well as European experience, which will prove invaluable to Watford as they look to pull their way up the table.
Pre-season
Their pre-season was certainly reminiscent of their first season back in the Premier League - a strong start punctuated by draws and defeats. Beginning with a disappointing 1-1 draw at Woking, Watford followed this up with wins at both Stevenage (2-0) and Union Berlin (3-1), with Etienne Capoue, who flew largely under the radar last season, getting on the scoresheet in both games.
However, just as happened in their league season, their form rather tailed off as they got to the end of pre-season. Following a dour 0-0 draw with Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala, the Hornets ended with a 2-0 defeat to Championship side QPR.
However, just as happened in their league season, their form rather tailed off as they got to the end of pre-season. Following a dour 0-0 draw with Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala, the Hornets ended with a 2-0 defeat to Championship side QPR.
Squad and signings
Mazzari has yet to really get into the transfer market in any big way, but perhaps the best bits of business conducted so far is keeping both Ighalo and Deeney, despite interest from the likes of champions Leicester and Arsenal. They have had a clearout of some of their younger players and second string side, with the most high profile exits those of Almen Abdi and Daniel Pudil to Sheffield Wednesday, as well as the sale of Jose Manuel Jurado to Quique Sanchez Flores's new side Espanyol.
It's easy to forget that amidst the exits, Watford have actually made their record signing, with striker Isaac Success joining from Getafe for an estimate fee of £12.5m. They've also made signings in the defence, with Christian Kabasele and Brice Dja Djedje joining from Genk and Marseille for undisclosed fees respectively, and Juan Camilo Zuniga joining from Napoli on loan for the season. Finally, the Hornets managed to poach promising young English striker Jerome Sinclair from Liverpool for a cut price of £4m.
Mazzari has yet to really get into the transfer market in any big way, but perhaps the best bits of business conducted so far is keeping both Ighalo and Deeney, despite interest from the likes of champions Leicester and Arsenal. They have had a clearout of some of their younger players and second string side, with the most high profile exits those of Almen Abdi and Daniel Pudil to Sheffield Wednesday, as well as the sale of Jose Manuel Jurado to Quique Sanchez Flores's new side Espanyol.
It's easy to forget that amidst the exits, Watford have actually made their record signing, with striker Isaac Success joining from Getafe for an estimate fee of £12.5m. They've also made signings in the defence, with Christian Kabasele and Brice Dja Djedje joining from Genk and Marseille for undisclosed fees respectively, and Juan Camilo Zuniga joining from Napoli on loan for the season. Finally, the Hornets managed to poach promising young English striker Jerome Sinclair from Liverpool for a cut price of £4m.
Tactics
Again, with a new manager, it's often difficult to tell exactly how a side will perform in the early days of the season. However, you would expect Mazzari to continue to employ the flying wingback tactic, something further emphasised by the signing of Zuniga. Similarly, the fact that they have fought so hard to keep hold of Troy Deeney and Odion Ighalo would tend to suggest that the 'big man, little man' strike combination is going to remain the focus further up the pitch.
Again, with a new manager, it's often difficult to tell exactly how a side will perform in the early days of the season. However, you would expect Mazzari to continue to employ the flying wingback tactic, something further emphasised by the signing of Zuniga. Similarly, the fact that they have fought so hard to keep hold of Troy Deeney and Odion Ighalo would tend to suggest that the 'big man, little man' strike combination is going to remain the focus further up the pitch.
Predictions
The second season is often a stumbling block for many promoted sides, and I do feel that Watford will go through a period of difficulty at some point in the season. However, having proven goalscorer at this level will help pull them away from trouble, but I feel it will be closer than it was last time around.
Final position: 16th
No comments:
Post a Comment