Why Watford Can Achieve A 6th-placed Finish If They Continue Playing This Way
Watford comfortably beat Arsenal last night, as the club seems to be increasingly set on a path to secure a top ten finish in the Premier League. If they manage to do, that will be their highest-ever finish since their second-placed finish in the old First Division way back in 1982-83. They may end up 9th or even 10th but it is very likely that the club could finish in the top-6.
It may sound bizarre since only 8 games have been played so far, but a look at the record and points trajectory of Marco Silva upon his arrival to English football suggests that not only will they comfortably avoid relegation – they can also put up a strong fight and earn a sixth-placed finish. In earlier seasons, Watford’s priority seemed simple – avoid relegation – but this time around, the club is really making a mark.
Their effortlessness in beating Arsenal only goes to show that Silva’s influence is working. If any man has a chance of staying at Vicarage Road for longer than a solitary season, it is surely Silva. The 40-year-old was wanted by a number of clubs when he decided to quit after Hull’s relegation, following which, he joined Watford.
Upon doing so, he inherited a talented, but a rather haphazard squad. Watford possess a number of talented midfield players but look quite scanty in the full-back positions and up front. And it is not tough to see why. Their business in the previous transfer windows were chaotic, to say the least. However, this summer, there has been more method than madness.
Making Tom Cleverley’s loan move permanent was a very sensible move. Alaves’ right-back Kiko Femenía has proven to be a solid addition, while Will Hughes and Nathaniel Chalobah are two of the most exciting talents in English football. They moved to Watford hoping to develop under Silva, and at the rate at which they are improving, the manager will certainly be a happy man.
Another way Silva impacted the team is with the way he brought the best out of Roberto Pereyra, who joined Watford from Juventus last season and started strongly before his season was curtailed by injury.
It is quite evident that Silva has what it takes to surge new heights with Watford. He is tactically sound, and has this inane knack of bringing the best out of his players in ways that work for the whole team. They have a tough couple of games ahead but if their display against Arsenal was anything to go by, the big boys of English football need to be wary of Watford.
They did manage to scrape past the finish line for the last two seasons now, but seeing the way they are playing so far, the club could be likely to seal a sixth-placed finish this term.