In focus: Watford

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In focus: Watford

How Saturday's Amex visitors are shaping up.

Bruce Talbot

2021-08-21T07:00:00Z

Watford boss Xisco Munoz

The overview

Watford may have been a lot of pundits’ picks for an immediate return to the Championship, but if their eye-catching opening-day win over Aston Villa is a guide they could well buck the trend and establish themselves in the Premier League this season.

Two late goals, after they had trailed 3-0, flattered Villa somewhat as Xisco Munoz’s side continued where they left off last season when 14 wins in their last 17 games, after Xisco had switched to a 4-3-3 system with spectacular results, propelled them to automatic promotion a year after relegation.

Although Watford have not paid massive transfer fees this summer, they have still added ten players to their squad, the latest recruit being Turkey midfielder Ozan Tufan, who arrived on a season-long loan on Thursday.

Cucho Hernandez celebrates his goal against Aston Villa

The defence was outstanding last season and the only addition is former Tottenham player Danny Rose, while their attacking options have been strengthened by Cucho Hernández, who, had four loan spells after joining the club as an 18-year-old in 2017, Joshua King and Ashley Fletcher, who both played five Championship games last season and have arrived on frees.

Up front, Hornets’ fans are excited by winger Emmanuel Dennis from Bruges. The 23-year-old was dropped last season after storming off the team bus when someone else sat in his seat, then had a loan at Cologne that ended with their sporting director apologising for bringing him to the club.

But with Dennis, Joao Pedro and Ismaila Sarr, the Hornets have some good options in attack.

Player to watch

Sarr scored or assisted 23 goals in 39 games last season and was on target in the win over Villa when he was clocked at 34.6km an hour, the fifth quickest player on the opening weekend.

Ismaila Sarr (23) scores in the win over Aston Villa

The wide player’s explosive pace and finishing ability have attracted interest from other clubs and Watford are braced for more interest before the transfer window closes.

In charge

Munoz has a smile and positive demeanour to rival Jurgen Klopp and the 40-year-old showed his tactical acumen last season when he ditched Watford’s 4-4-2 system with spectacular results.

In the summer his assistant Roberto Cuesta moved to NK Istra in Croatia. His replacement, José Ramón Rodríguez, is a rising star of Spanish coaching and is a few months younger than veteran forward Troy Deeney.