IT’S ANOTHER away day for the Hornet’s who travel to Yorkshire to face Barnsley this Saturday off the back of their first win of the campaign.
Keith Hill’s men have an identical home and away record to the Watford having failed to win at Oakwell, drawing one and losing two. Their away record reads won one and drawn two.
The similarities between the two clubs don’t end there though with The Tykes also one of the pundits favorites to be relegated this season having avoided the drop once more last season.
Hill, like Dyche, has also overseen a busy transfer window with 10 permanent and loan signings arriving at the club, with a couple coming from his previous employers Rochdale. Former ‘Dale duo, Scott Wiseman and Matty Done followed their former boss from Spotland though the former has struggled to make an impact having made just one substitute appearance.
Tricky young winger Done has scored once in his two appearances for Barnsley having been on-loan at Spotland last season where he scored five from 16 starts.
The big loss this summer was not gaffer Mark Robins, but skipper and centre-half Jason Shackell who joined Derby County for £1m. The former Norwich and Wolves defender was replaced by ex-Blackpool and Wolves man, Rob Edwards. The Welsh cap has racked up plenty of appearances at this level and at 28 is in his prime.
Former Bolton prospect Ricardo Vaz Te joined on a free from SPL outfit Hibernian and former Chesterfield hot-shot Craig Davies also joined following the end of his contract to pep up the club’s striking ranks. The duo have so far failed to open their accounts for the club but if they can repeat the promise they showed elsewhere, they look like a decent partnership.
Much like the Goldenboys, you fancy it will be a struggle for Barnsley this season but where the squad might lack in places they’ve the experience of Hill to guide them through.
Probable Teams:
Barnsley: Steele; Hassell, Foster, Edwards, McNulty, Done, Perkins, Butterfield, Drinkwater, O’Brien; Gray.
Watford: Loach; Doyley, Mariappa, Taylor, Dickinson; Yeates, Eustace (c), Hogg, Forsyth; Weimann and Sordell.
Match Officials: (R) Mr E Ilderton; (AR’s) Mr S Copeland & Mr M Salisbury; (4th) Mr J Hull.
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