73
Overall
73
Attack
74
Midfield
72
Defence
After a terrible downturn in fortune in the second half of the 2015/16 season, Quique Flores was sacked some would consider harshly after finishing 13th place, reaching the FA Cup semi-final not enough to secure a second season in charge. Despite Walter Mazzarri being the favourite to secure the Watford job, he snubbed the hornets for an Italy stay to secure the Torino job. Watford soon became the butt of a few jokes re-hiring former manager Slavisa Jokanovic becoming the 7th managerical appointment since 2012.
Similar to last season, Watford were subject to very busy transfer activity. In terms of who were shown the exit door, high profile signing Amrabat was sold to Cheslea to bolster their attacking options for 15Mill on deadline day, a 8.9Mill. profit in what they bought the right-winger in what was one of the most bizzare transfers of the season. However, Watford were left with quite the emergency on their hands with only one certified right-mid; youngster Da Silva Lopes. Winter sale of this year; Tofun also only saw out 6 months at the club as well moving to Southampton for 16Mill. Mario Suarez moved back to spain in Valencia after only making 15 appearances for Watford for 8.2Mill. Juanfran, Brahimi, Zarate, Pantillimon and Arlrauskis were all deemed surplus to requirements while Okaka, and Kabasele were loaned to Spurs and Swansea respectively.
In terms of transfers in, Watford made a big statement by smashing their club record arrival fee of 13Mill to sign, American centre-back John Brooks joining Watford for 17.5Mill. Promising Portuguese winger, Leonardo Da Silva Lopes joined Watford for 3.2Mill from Peterborough but as for the rest of the summer transfer signings it was feeding off Chelsea youngsters. Nathan Ake, Dominic Solanke, Kenedy and Ruben Loftus-Cheek joining Watford for a combined 11.6Mill. In the Winter window, Jordan Amavi joined while Kaboul went the other way in a swap deal with a fee of just 3.75Mill. To bolster Watford's attacking options, Andre Hahn joined the Hornets for 4.5Mill. And, young goal-keeper Wildshut was sent on loan only a few months after his arrival to Sheffield Wednesday after a disasterous two games. Ali Al-Hasbi was brought in to play back-up to Gomes for 1.2Mill on a short-term deal in an un-expected return to the Premier League. The combined age of the goalkeepers at Watford is now 69 years old, heh.
The hornets didn't make an especially large progress in the league finishing 9th, four points higher than the 2015/16 season. However, they made three trips to Wembley winning the League Cup against Blackburn Rovers of all teams 1-0, a Deeney penalty all that seperated the two. Watford now automatically qualify for the Europa League next season, competing in Europe for the first time since 1984. They also made it to the final of the FA Cup although some would say it was an easy run-in only having to face two premier league teams; West Ham (Semi-final) and an out-of form Arsenal (Round of 16), knocking the Gunners out of the FA Cup the second year in a row. They faced Manchester United without their star-man Pereyra who was suspended due to accumulated yellow cards and lost the final to a respectable 1-0 defeat.
However, it proved to be too many fixtures to handle which de-railed their Premier League performances. Although they occupied a relegation position after a 2-0 defeat to Bournemouth in October despite credible 1-1 draws with Chelsea and Arsenal, they quickly bounced back with a resounding 4-0 win over Middlesbrough and from there they only rose up the table. By February they even occupied a top 4 place for 24-hours beating Arsenal 2-0. After the performance, they went on the terrible run of form only winning five times in the remaining fifteen premier league matches. A similar de-rail of form to last year.
With regard to individual player performances, although no player reached a particularly large number of goals it was rather the case of goals being spread around the team. Captain Troy Deeney and talisman Roberto Pereyra were joint top scorers in all competitions reaching 12 goals. Pereyra was also the joint top assist makers creating 8 goals as did Kenedy and Abdoulaye Docoure who enjoyed a breakout season in the Premier League proving as a reliable centre-defensive midfielder. He has sinced received interest from Everton and Arsenal. Kenedy also enjoyed a break-out season receiving consistent football for the first time since coming to England also scoring eight goals. Another player to enjoy a breakout season was Nathan Ake which proved to make a formidable centre-back partnership with John Brooks. In terms of suspensions, it was that man Roberto Pereyra again receiving seven yellow cards and two red cards costing his team dearly in the FA cup final.
Although the season ended in disappointment, Watford have a bright future to look forward to competing in the Europa League. And with a nice batch of youngsters coming through the ranks, the only way is up.
Similar to last season, Watford were subject to very busy transfer activity. In terms of who were shown the exit door, high profile signing Amrabat was sold to Cheslea to bolster their attacking options for 15Mill on deadline day, a 8.9Mill. profit in what they bought the right-winger in what was one of the most bizzare transfers of the season. However, Watford were left with quite the emergency on their hands with only one certified right-mid; youngster Da Silva Lopes. Winter sale of this year; Tofun also only saw out 6 months at the club as well moving to Southampton for 16Mill. Mario Suarez moved back to spain in Valencia after only making 15 appearances for Watford for 8.2Mill. Juanfran, Brahimi, Zarate, Pantillimon and Arlrauskis were all deemed surplus to requirements while Okaka, and Kabasele were loaned to Spurs and Swansea respectively.
In terms of transfers in, Watford made a big statement by smashing their club record arrival fee of 13Mill to sign, American centre-back John Brooks joining Watford for 17.5Mill. Promising Portuguese winger, Leonardo Da Silva Lopes joined Watford for 3.2Mill from Peterborough but as for the rest of the summer transfer signings it was feeding off Chelsea youngsters. Nathan Ake, Dominic Solanke, Kenedy and Ruben Loftus-Cheek joining Watford for a combined 11.6Mill. In the Winter window, Jordan Amavi joined while Kaboul went the other way in a swap deal with a fee of just 3.75Mill. To bolster Watford's attacking options, Andre Hahn joined the Hornets for 4.5Mill. And, young goal-keeper Wildshut was sent on loan only a few months after his arrival to Sheffield Wednesday after a disasterous two games. Ali Al-Hasbi was brought in to play back-up to Gomes for 1.2Mill on a short-term deal in an un-expected return to the Premier League. The combined age of the goalkeepers at Watford is now 69 years old, heh.
The hornets didn't make an especially large progress in the league finishing 9th, four points higher than the 2015/16 season. However, they made three trips to Wembley winning the League Cup against Blackburn Rovers of all teams 1-0, a Deeney penalty all that seperated the two. Watford now automatically qualify for the Europa League next season, competing in Europe for the first time since 1984. They also made it to the final of the FA Cup although some would say it was an easy run-in only having to face two premier league teams; West Ham (Semi-final) and an out-of form Arsenal (Round of 16), knocking the Gunners out of the FA Cup the second year in a row. They faced Manchester United without their star-man Pereyra who was suspended due to accumulated yellow cards and lost the final to a respectable 1-0 defeat.
However, it proved to be too many fixtures to handle which de-railed their Premier League performances. Although they occupied a relegation position after a 2-0 defeat to Bournemouth in October despite credible 1-1 draws with Chelsea and Arsenal, they quickly bounced back with a resounding 4-0 win over Middlesbrough and from there they only rose up the table. By February they even occupied a top 4 place for 24-hours beating Arsenal 2-0. After the performance, they went on the terrible run of form only winning five times in the remaining fifteen premier league matches. A similar de-rail of form to last year.
With regard to individual player performances, although no player reached a particularly large number of goals it was rather the case of goals being spread around the team. Captain Troy Deeney and talisman Roberto Pereyra were joint top scorers in all competitions reaching 12 goals. Pereyra was also the joint top assist makers creating 8 goals as did Kenedy and Abdoulaye Docoure who enjoyed a breakout season in the Premier League proving as a reliable centre-defensive midfielder. He has sinced received interest from Everton and Arsenal. Kenedy also enjoyed a break-out season receiving consistent football for the first time since coming to England also scoring eight goals. Another player to enjoy a breakout season was Nathan Ake which proved to make a formidable centre-back partnership with John Brooks. In terms of suspensions, it was that man Roberto Pereyra again receiving seven yellow cards and two red cards costing his team dearly in the FA cup final.
Although the season ended in disappointment, Watford have a bright future to look forward to competing in the Europa League. And with a nice batch of youngsters coming through the ranks, the only way is up.
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