Watford’s hopes of yo-yoing straight back up to the Premier League at the first time of asking after suffering relegation from the top flight last season has got off to the almost perfect start, with two wins and as many draws leaving Rob Edwards’ side third in the table after the opening four games.
Featured Image VIA
It hasn’t always been the most convincing football from the Hornets thus far though, as they were held to 1-1 draws away from home by West Bromwich Albion and Birmingham City. However, the two 1-0 victories over fellow promotion hopefuls Burnley and Sheffield United are perhaps early indicators that Watford can push for promotion again this season.
And that is fairly reflected in the Championship betting with Betfair, where the Hertfordshire-based side can be found at odds as short as 7/2 to win the second-tier title. But Watford can’t get too ahead of themselves just yet, as there is still a long way to go in what is one of the most physical and demanding leagues in world football and there is still a threat of losing some key players in the summer window.
Several of Watford’s star players look like they could still be on their way out the Vicarage Road exit door before the transfer market closes at 11pm on September and that could be a cause for concern for Edwards after such a good start to the new Championship campaign.
Emmanuel Dennis was the latest big name in the Hornets squad to up sticks this summer, joining Premier League new boys and free-spending Nottingham Forest for a hefty £20 million as Steve Cooper’s side, who have had over 14 fresh faces added in this window, look to defy the odds and avoid the dreaded fate of relegation.
But while many will believe that the striker is a huge loss for Edwards after he was considered a diamond in the rough during Watford’s relegation campaign that season, with 10 goals across the course of the Premier League season, it’s reported that his teammates are happy to see the back of him and believe that the dressing room will be a better place without the Nigerian.
While the departure of Dennis might be a blessing in disguise for Watford, the same might not be able to be said about the impending exits of João Pedro and Ismaïla Sarr. The two forwards are crucial to the side, as they have both proven with important goals this season, but Edwards is facing an uphill battle to keep them as Premier League clubs up their interest.
Watford rejected a £20m bid from Newcastle United for Pedro earlier this month and it seems to be only a matter of time before the Saudi-backed club come back with a bigger and better offer for the Brazilian, while Sarr, who scored from his own half in the 1-1 draw with West Brom, is wanted by a whole host of top flight clubs — including West Ham United, Crystal Palace and Leeds United.
To lose both would be a massive hindrance to the Watford attack and the moments of magic that they can both produce from nothing, like that 60-metre strike against Steve Bruce’s Baggies, would be a huge miss over the course of the season. So, of course results could be turned on their head without the duo leading the line.
On the flip side though, Edwards would have upwards of £60m to spend on suitable replacements, and while Watford might not be able to attract the same calibre of players they could with budget had they still been in the Premier League, it should be more than enough to add the quality needed to gain promotion back to the top flight.
