Ahead of the first meeting between the two sides since that play off final at Wembley, TEB chats to Bradley from Watford FC Blog to find out what has been going on at Vicarage Road.
Q – What were your hopes and dreams before the new season kicked off?
I think I speak for all Watford fans in that the main hope for the Hornets this season is to avoid relegation. Coming up from the Championship, the aim is to just survive and remain in the Premier League, especially with the new television deal coming in. If we survive, we can then build on the success and maybe go on to replicate what the likes of Southampton, Swansea City and Palace have done to become an established side in the top division.
Q – Six games in, have they changed?
Not at all. Despite a good start to the season, which has seen us record nine points and sees us sitting in tenth position, I would still take a seventeenth place finish right now. The main aim for any promoted side I think is to just survive the first season and you can then build from there.
Q – How did the club fare in the transfer window? Do you think enough business was done?
The club brought in fifteen new faces this summer, so we have certainly been very busy. We strengthened in nearly every position, so more than enough business was completed by the club. All Watford fans were over the moon that we managed to re-sign Adlene Guedioura from Palace, this time on a permanent deal, as he became a favourite at Vicarage Road and played a big part in the promotion run-in. His performance against Derby County for us last season, was one of the best individual performances in a Watford shirt for years.
The signings of Sebastian Prodl and Allan Nyom has helped to strengthen the defence, whilst Etienne Capoue has oozed class so far. It was disappointing to see fans favourites in Gabrielle Angella and Matej Vydra leave the club
on loan and Fernando Forestieri permanently, but some individuals were going to have to make way and some simply did not fit into Sanchez Flores’ system.
Q – Who has impressed you for Watford so far?
Etienne Capoue, Allan Nyom and Sebastian Prodl are the new signings that have caught my eye since the opening day of the season. They have all managed to fit in seamlessly to the Watford side and have added real quality to the squad. A number of players have performed well for the Hornets since the opening game of the season particularly Troy Deeney, Odion Ighalo and Ikechi Anya.
Q – Was it a surprise when the management changed when it did and was it a concern going into your first season in the Premier League for a few years?
I think by the time that it was announced, most had come to the conclusion that Jokanovic would not be our manager for this season, due to the media reports that had been circulating for a month about talks broke down. When the first report came out that a deal was unlikely, I think it did come as a surprise, as many expected the Serbian to be in charge this season and that a deal would be thrashed out rather quickly. Quite a few were disappointed to see him leave, as he did a superb job and his no-nonsense style won over many fans.
With regards to the second question, I think it was a slight concern going into the new season, as there is always the worry that the players will not adapt to the new managers ideas, but that has now vanished with the start that we have had. Quique Sanchez Flores has improved our defence, which had been a problem for some time and has made us difficult to beat. We are playing some great football at the minute and are giving it a right good go.
Q – Do you think you are better prepared now for a season in the Premier League, than if you were promoted via the play offs in the 2012/13 season?
Most definitely. The 2012/13 season was amazing and will always be remembered. Since then, everything about the club has improved. From the atmosphere at Vicarage Road, to the training ground, to the playing staff. Everything about the place has just got better and we are certainly well prepared than we were back in 2012/13. I think the 2013/14 season was a vital learning curve for the Pozzo’s, as it showed them that you need a good balance of players who know the division and those who do not. The signings of experienced Championship professionals who know what it takes to do well in the division such as Craig Cathcart, Ben Watson, Adlene Guedioura and Matthew Connolly were crucial for the promotion run-in as they brought that added bit of nous and all of them are still regulars in the squad apart from Matthew Connolly, who returned to Cardiff at the end of his loan spell.
Q – How do you think Palace will fare this season and what is your view on our progress since the 2012/13 season?
I have been impressed by your progress since the play off final and Palace are a team that I would like Watford to replicate, in terms of your progress in the Premier League. You came up and you have done consistently well and have continued to improve and strengthen the playing squad that you have. You will do very well this season. Under Pardew, you seem to be playing some fantastic attacking football and you could easily finish in the top ten.
Q – Name a player from each side that the opposition should be wary of going into the game?
Well for Watford at the minute, it has got to be Odion Ighalo. He has scored four goals so far this season and has twenty in twenty-four appearances in 2015, the highest tally in all the four major leagues in England. He has forged a formidable partnership with Troy Deeney up front and the pair really do work well. The Nigerian international is also a real poacher. If he gets the ball in the penalty area, it is likely that he will put the ball in the back of the net. He has also got a bit of skill and pace about him. Ask John Stones and Phil Jagielka that, after he left both of them on the floor before putting us 2-1 ahead against Everton on the opening day of the season.
For Palace, I have to pick out Yannick Bolasie. He is a real menace and has got an abundance of pace and trickery. I would love to see him in a Watford shirt but know it will never happen. He can also score the odd goal as well.
Q – Your prediction?
We have not been beaten at home so far this season and have failed to concede at Vicarage Road as of yet. We are on a good run of form at the moment and I can see this being a fairly even contest. I will go for a 1-1 draw.
Q – Please share with us any projects that you are working on at the minute.
As an 18 year old Watford fan and season ticket holder, my blog is one of my main projects. I started it nearly three years ago now and it has proved to be a real success with Watford fans. I try to give a younger fans perspective of the
current affairs at Vicarage Road and a balanced opinion of what is happening on the pitch.
I am an aspiring sports journalist, so in addition to my blog, I contribute to Careers In Football where I interview professionals in the football industry. I also write the fans view for the Watford Observer every two weeks, where I voice my opinion on everything surrounding the club. I have just started university, so hopefully my degree and all my other journalist experiences will stand me in good stead when the time comes to secure a job in the industry.
