Watford 2-0 Granada

Nick Chainey reports back from the Hornet`s impressive showing during the 2-0 win over sister club, Granada…

PRE-SEASON games have never been just about getting wins. It`s as much about the performance – setting the standards for the season to come.

In which case, I think it`s fair to say there was an awful lot to like about yesterday`s game at Vicarage Road. Certainly, there was plenty of interest from Hornet`s supporters who seemed to turn up in numbers on the day which surprised the club enough to force them to open the Vicarage Road end in addition to the Rous Stand. What we got to see was an impressive 90 minutes from a number of the new boys and a performance that could be described as “standard” (ie. more than decent) from the old guard.

The stand out performers of the first half, for me, were Ireney and Lewis McGugan. The Brazilian doesn`t overcomplicate things & barely got over the halfway line but made sure that the back four were never left isolated. Furthermore, despite playing against a team that was his until a fortnight ago, he certainly didn`t hold back in his challenges, making sure that the ball stayed won.

McGugan seemed to be everywhere at times, particularly in the first twenty minutes. He forced a couple of good saves from the visiting keeper, and contributed well to all round play but would have been disappointed with his effort from a free kick, smashed into the wall (although I`m sure Neil Cox would`ve approved.)

Set pieces as a whole were probably the single biggest disappointment, with Almen Abdi taking the majority of free kicks & corners and far, far too many were smashed too long. It`s certainly something that will need some work on, as this appears to be a Watford team with a number of decent targets from set pieces.

Gianfranco Zola`s choice of starting with Diego Fabbrini & Troy Deeney up front looked a good choice. The Italian has super quick feet and his goal was a wonderful effort, smashed into the top corner. His 45 minute appearance certainly gave us all something to look forward to, and given the numbers of fouls given against him, I`m sure the Granada back four were delighted to see the back of him. Despite looking somewhat fragile he also likes to get his foot in to win the ball back & combined with remorselessness with which Troy`s prepared to fight for the ball it`s a front two that will cause other teams some issues.



Sometimes, Troy`s willingness to fight for the ball can go a little too far, but he was certainly taking this game very seriously – this wasn`t the only time he physically monstered the Granada defence but the big number nine laboured without really getting any chances for himself.



At the back, Manuel Almunia – one 45 yard attempted lob aside – Marco Cassetti, Lloyd Doyley & Gabriele Angella weren`t really stretched. Angella was again impressive throughout the 88 odd minutes he lasted – his reading of the game meaning that he didn`t really need to stretch to challenge as he`d dealt with the problem before it appeared.

Half time brought a number of changes, Javier Acuna & Fernando Forestieri replacing Deeney & Fabrinni, Ireney by Connor Smith & Ikechi Anya on for Daniel Pudil down the left.

Whilst Pudil & his counterpart on the right, Marco Davide Faraoni, had some joy in the first half, the appearance of Anya added a new dimension to proceedings. His first touch is always a joy & the speed he brings to the counter attack was wonderful. Acuna & Forestieri continued to torment the Granada defence, but too many times as either of the front men broke forward they were tugged back by the visiting defenders.

Acuna, nonetheless, was able to get a wonderful pass away to the unmarked Anya at the back post for the second Watford goal. The only criticism of Acuna & Forestieri that could be leveled at them was that at times they were attempting to pass their way into the goal but combining with Abdi in particular, they came close to carving Granada open on a number of occasions.

Smith played a mature game, mimicking Iriney whilst using his youthful energy to allow himself to get forward a little more and showed an encouraging side to his game that hopefully will see him getting a bit more game time this year.

By the end of the game, almost the entire XI had been replaced, and whilst the Hornets didn`t press too hard for a third goal, Zola would have been pleased with the movement and effort he saw from Sean Murray and Cristian Battochio in the midfield (and the little Argentinian almost combined wonderfully with Forestieri, his brilliant cross volleyed just wide.) Whilst Reece Brown, Joel Ekstrand (for the final two minutes) and Luke O` Nien helped to keep the ball well as the Hornets ran the clock down.

All in all, it was a pleasing performance – in particular, the options that the front 4 give Zola will be something to give most Championship defences pause for thought. In midfield, the combination of strength & dynamism and at the back anticipation and class should – hopefully – mean that this team will be there or thereabouts.

Roll on St Andrews…

Watford: Almunia (c) (Bond, 58); Doyley (Ekstrand, 73), Angella (O`Nien, 88), Cassetti (Brown, 58); Faraoni, McGugan (Battocchio, 58), Iriney (Smith, HT), Abdi (Murray, 68), Pudil (Anya, HT); Deeney (Acuna, HT), Fabbrini (Forestieri, HT).

Subs not used:Assombalonga, Ikpeazu & Mensah.

Attendance: 4963