With the start of the 2016/17 Premier League season less than two weeks away, Premier League correspondent Richard Jolly provides his previews for each club. Here he looks at Watford.
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Exit Quique Sanchez Flores, to some surprise from outsiders after the stylish Spaniard steered Watford comfortably to safety in their first season back in the Premier League, with the added bonus of an FA Cup semi-final appearance, though his departure was less of a shock to long-term students of the Pozzo family, the club’s owners.
Enter Walter Mazzarri, an ambitious appointment and another newcomer to England. The Italian’s excellent spell at Napoli, who he took to second in Serie A, bodes well; his time at Inter Milan, a graveyard for managers, less so.
He inherits a cosmopolitan group, courtesy of Watford’s unique recruitment, and has to emulate Sanchez Flores by finding a first 11 that gel quickly and well, but differ from his predecessor by using more of the squad.
Watford were hugely reliant on strikers Odion Ighalo and Troy Deeney last season — no one else got more than two league goals — and Sanchez Flores was accused of neglecting some of the other players the bargain-hunting Pozzos acquired.
Nevertheless, he constructed a solid spine to the side. Mazzarri must aim to equal his tally of six away wins, but better the total of just six Watford secured at home. Do so and a third season in the elite will beckon.
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Key Man: Odion Ighalo
Started last season on the bench and ended it with 15 Premier League goals. A repeat would be remarkable: in particular, Watford could do with the Nigerian finding the form he did in the first half of the 2015-16 campaign, which produced 13 goals.
Pivotal Signing: Isaac Success
Watford broke their transfer record to sign the £12.5 million Nigerian. The 20-year-old could be crucial, either in adding the width they lacked last year, or in providing another goalscorer.
Point to Prove: Mario Suarez
A Sanchez Flores signing, the Spanish midfielder arrived in January and figured in their 2016 slump. He has to illustrate he deserves a place in Mazzarri’s plans.
Crucial Factor: Starting well
Watford only took 17 points from their last 21 games, which is relegation form, and while there has been a change at the helm, it might seem a slump that is spanning 2016 unless they begin well. Plus, after the controversy of Sanchez Flores’ departure, Mazzarri could benefit from early vindication.
Predicted finish: 17th
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