Opposition View: Watford
Watford are having quite the season. Despite being many peoples picks to struggle, the Hornets currently sit ninth in the Premier League table with a Europa League spot firmly in their sights.
What’s been the secret behind their success? We spoke to Andy Lewers from Watford blog The Hornets Nest about their campaign so far and what Brighton need to do to prevent a repeat of their 2-0 defeat at Vicarage Road on the opening day.
Watford are absolutely flying this season. How does it compare to your expectations at the start of the campaign and is European football next year a realistic possibility?
Before the season started there was almost a split in the fan base with regards to how we would get on. Some thought we’d be comfortably in mid-table and others thought we hadn’t done enough in the transfer window and would be in for a relegation scrap, so the fact we’re competing for a European spot is a nice surprise to everyone! I think European football is a possibility, though I don’t think too many Watford fans would be upset if we end up with a top half finish. Anything below 10th would be a disappointing end to a good season.
When we spoke back in August, we couldn’t even get Javi Gracia’s name right. That’s not the case anymore as now everybody knows who he is! Just how important has he been to your success so far?
He’s been vital, not just to get the players playing some good football but also for improving the whole mood around Vicarage Road. Last season the way Marco Silva handled his situation left a lot of fans with a sour taste and rightly so. The atmosphere in Javi’s first game in charge away to Southampton was toxic, fans arguing with players at the end of the match and having to be pulled apart from each other. It’s completely different now, there’s a connection between the squad and the supporters and Javi deserves a lot of credit for being able to turn it around. He gets what Watford is about and I hope he’ll be in the dugout for many years to come.
What’s been the highlight of your season so far?
Scoring two goals in 58 seconds at Wolverhampton Wanderers was great fun, but it has to be the win against Tottenham Hotspur. I had never seen Watford beat Spurs in my life, so it was a little bit of history taking place at Vicarage Road. It was our fourth win out of our four opening games, the atmosphere was incredible and I shall remember that day for a long while yet.
Who have been Watford’s star performers? And have there been any disappointments?
Watford’s stand out players this season have been Ben Foster and Etienne Capoue. Foster has kept us in numerous games and made some breath-taking saves along the way. Capoue seems like an odd choice, but without him Watford’s midfield loses a big presence. When Capoue plays well, Watford play well.
Brighton weren’t at the races when we met back on the opening day. What did you make of the game back in August?
It was hard to read into it too much as it was the opening day of the season. I thought Brighton would be a bit more physical with us, perhaps we were just ‘more ready’ for the start of the season than the Seagulls, but it was two well taken goals from Roberto Pereyra to win it.
Who do you think is going to win the title and who are the three teams heading for the Championship?
I think given recent score lines I’d have to say Liverpool for the title. Heading down I’d have to say Huddersfield, Fulham and Cardiff.
If you had to give Chris Hughton some advice about how to stop Watford, what would it be?
Sit back and defend! We never seem able to break down a team when they put 11 men behind the ball. If you allow us space and time then we have the players to punish you, but if you make it physical and restrict us going forward then we’ll struggle. I wouldn’t be surprised if Hughton decides to put two men on Pereyra and Deulofeu throughout the game. If you want to score, crosses and set pieces would be a safe bet, as we’re not the tallest side in the league!
How do you see Saturday’s game going?
It’s going to be very difficult, Brighton are a good side at home. I expect both sides to score and I think I’m going to stick my neck on the line and say Watford to edge it, 2-1.
Thanks very much to Andy for answering our questions. If the Albion do manage to defeat Watford, then you can send him a tweet viaThe Hornets Nest on Twitter reminding him of his prediction…
