The Future’s bright, the future’s….Yellow
Aug 18, 2006
Author: Rishi

“Sheer ecstasy”, the only way I can describe the moment that the whistle blew at Cardiff, on May the 21st. It still hasn’t seemed to have calmed down in Watford, and with a day or so to go to the big kick-off, it won’t stop until the final whistle blows in the last match in May. Who knows? By that time, we’ll probably be preparing for a UEFA Cup qualifying tie with an unknown Andorran side. Or maybe not…

Regarding the fans hopes for this season, realistically, our goal is survival, similar to last season, all Watford fans would be more than happy with a 17th place finish with possibly one or two great results, akin to the last Premiership outing, without the relegation part. Another 1-0 win at Anfield would be brilliant except we don’t have Tommy Mooney to do the honours of scoring the goal. I’m sure there’s a queue of players waiting to do the same.

Like last season, Watford are being strongly tipped for relegation by the press and bookmakers, last season, we got promoted. Who says we can’t qualify for Europe? All I know is that Watford won’t finish bottom this season. The team who’ll finish bottom is Sheffield United, I have nothing against them, well I don’t like Neil Warnock but it’s nothing to do with their squad, it’s the colours that they play in. The dreaded red and white stripe curse, suffered by Southampton, Sunderland and soon… Sheffield United.

With that I feel Reading will succeed in this league; they play very good football, suited to the Premiership, with quality strikers in Lita and Doyle. Their only downfall in pre-season so far seems as though they haven’t strengthened enough. A title-winning Championship side, with few additions gets you nowhere, ask Sunderland. They’ll tell you that you need to spend, not drastically or stupidly. But shrewdness and rough diamonds in addition to proven quality Premiership players is the key. Look at West Ham and Wigan, Wigan bought quality last season, in the likes of Chimbonda, Scharner and Camara, they seem to be adding to that this season with Landzaat and yes I’ve omitted Heskey deliberately. That is one signing, which has been one hell of a waste of money. I like Wigan, when they don’t play Watford that is and I hope I’m wrong.

This season though Boothroyd does look to have strengthened correctly, although still without enough depth up front and a right winger wouldn’t go amiss but he has brought in some new faces that look good. Damien Francis signed from Wigan will be a revelation for us, not as if we needed that much strength in midfield but he adds Premiership experience and had a great season with Wigan last year and at £1,500,000, he’ll be a steal.

Tamas Priskin also seems as though he’ll be a great youngster, scoring two goals or was it three (?) for Hungary under 21’s the other day. He seems like he’d compliment Marlon King’s style and goals, goals and more goals, seems inevitable. The defence could be a weakness for us but, with brilliant keeper Ben Foster between the sticks, any mediocre defence could have a decent season. But we have a mixture of youth and experience. The likes of Shittu and Demerit, if they forge a partnership in the centre of defence it could be magnificent, with crowd favourite Lloyd Doyley at right-back and ex-England international Chris Powell on the left, we’re sure to have some surging runs from the back. Don’t forget though that Shittu and Demerit are both knocking on the doors of their respective nation’s first teams. They are surely an asset for the club.

It’s not individuals that make a team, it’s the team ethic. Aidy doesn’t have seemed to have brought in egocentric players, which can only be a positive point as the team will work hard for each other and make it a tighter unit, something needed to have success in the Premier League. With young eager players like Ashley Young, Ben Foster and Tamas Priskin in our side, there’s no room for error for sides when they meet Watford. But then Watford must also be wary and not slip up either, as Premier League sides will pounce on any mistake.

It must be said though, that the bottom of this league will be competitive, teams like Sheffield United, Reading, Fulham, Wigan and Portsmouth should be teams that Watford are able to beat. There are points to be won as the gap between the Premiership and the Championship has shortened and Watford may spring a surprise on a few Premiership clubs. Survival is well within the reach of Watford this season. It’ll be a great season and will hopefully set us up for bigger and brighter things after we’ve established Premiership status. I for one can’t wait for Goodison Park on Saturday afternoon!

As I stated in the title, the future’s bright, the future’s… Yellow!