So then, the football season is upon us. Excitement, passion, emotion and all the fume on Twitter guaranteed throughout the course of the campaign. For Everton, it starts at the Grand Old Lady, Goodison Park – at home against newcomers Watford. After a decent pre-season, a majority of Everton fans would be excited to welcome the new season with three points, but with an injury threatened side Everton would need to perform at there best to pick up all the points. Here is a scout report on Watford. Enjoy.
The Gaffer: Quique Flores (Win Ratio: 47%)
A new manager will be in the dugout for Watford on Saturday afternoon, former Valencia and Real Madrid defender Quique Flores. The Spaniard has never managed in the Premier League before, but has plenty experience, managing his ninth team. In 2001, Quique was managing Real Madrid’s youth academy side before managing his first senior team, Getafe. His side impressed in the 2004-05 campaign, earning them a 13th place in the table and Flores was given the chance to manage the club he once played for, Valencia, succeeding Claudio Ranieri.
Quinque guided Valencia to third place in his first season and fourth place the following year, but after a run of poor form for Valencia, he was sacked. Benfica was the next to appoint the Spaniard, but lasted just one season, ending third place and winning the Taça da Liga (Portuguese League Cup). Atletico Madrid appointed him next, winning the UEFA Europa League against Fulham. The following season saw Quique resign from Madrid. Flores then managed two UAE Pro-League sides, Al Ahli and Al Ain. He managed to win the President’s Cup with both sides and the UAE Etisalat Emirates Cup with Al Ahli. Flores returned to Getafe back in January but by the end of February he resigned for personal reasons.
To be fair to Watford, they’ve made a pretty good appointment in Quinque. Many people have compared him to Rafa Benitez (tactically). He likes a counter-attacking style, which would help breakdown Everton, as we are the kings of sideways passing. Don’t be surprised if Watford pack the defensive half and hit us on the counter.
Strengths
Set-Piece Danger
Watford scored 27 goals from set-pieces in the Championship last season, 12 of these coming from corners – which isn’t going to be very good news for Everton supporters. Four of the 27 scored have also came from crossed free-kicks, so they are dangerous from pretty much anywhere.
(Goals scored from set-pieces by Watford in the Championship last season)
Everton conceded 14 set-piece goals and 8 headed goals in the Premier League last season, so the likes of Troy Deeney and Odion Ighalo will be licking their lips at Everton’s lack of physical players to challenge crosses.
Impact from the bench
Watford certainly had a lot of help from the bench last season. In the Championship last season, Watford’s substitutes scored 10 goals and registered 7 assists. They also scored 14 goals in the last 10 minutes of games, so watch out for a late show from Watford.
The Toffees aren’t the best at keeping the net safe in the last 30 minutes of games. Out of the 50 league goals Everton conceded, over half (26) were conceded from the 61st minute onwards. It is clear that Watford have used their substitutes to the max, with very impressive stats showing their impact. If Everton are looking to keep up, we need to actually use all of our subs to keep the team fresh. We are out of pre-season now, Roberto.
Weaknesses
Will the squad link together?
The Hornets have changed a lot compared to last season, bringing in 10 new signings, just one of them coming from a Premier League club (Etienne Capoue from Tottenham Hotspur). Who knows how long it would take for 10 brand new players, only two of them coming from the same league, to gel and get used to the Premier League.
Not forgetting the fact they also have a new manager, who hasn’t even worked or played in the Premier League in his career. Who knows, they might gel from the first minute on Saturday to the last minute on the final matchday, but that very rarely occurs.
Conceding late
They may have the crucial impact from the bench to score late goals, but they aren’t the best at keeping them out either.
(Amount of goals Watford have conceded, last season, being broken down in different time zones)
Watford conceded 50 league goals last season, 12 of them coming in between the 76th minute to the final whistle – the most in all of the time zones. To survive, Watford must cut down on the number of goals they have conceded in the last third of the game. In fairness to Watford, they’ve managed to add a few more defenders in the squad, whether they can gel on Saturday, we don’t know.
Key Men
Troy Deeney – Striker
Key Stat: Troy scored 21 goals in the Championship last campaign; only Ipswich’s Daryl Murphy scored more than he did (27).
The 27-year-old was on fire last season, hitting the back of the net 21 times in 42 appearances. Deeney is clinical inside the box, every single goal coming inside the penalty area. As well as scoring goals, he is a fine creator, managing to create 68 chances throughout the campaign for Watford. However, Deeney struggles to find the net outside of the box. If Everton are to stop Deeney then it is crucial that we keep him outside of the area at all times.
Odion Ighalo – Striker
Key Stat: Ighalo scored 5 headed goals last season, only 5 other players in the Championship had scored more.
Troy Deeney is the striker who takes all the headlines for Watford, but Odion Ighalo is a man who is just as dangerous. Odion scored 20 league goals for Watford in the Championship last season, five of which came from headers. Who knows whether these two strikers could transform their form from the Championship in the Premier League, but the stats show that they are both dangerous and could be a threat for the Everton defence.
Heurelho Gomes – Goalkeeper
Key Stat: Gomes made 130 saves in total in the Championship, only Silvestri (Leeds – 132), Randolph (Birmingham – 136) and Button (Brentford -142) made more.
After a difficult time at Tottenham, Heurelho Gomes is back in the Premier League and looks a lot better than when he was in the Spurs goal. The Brazilian goalkeeper made plenty of saves in the Watford goal, now being given the nickname ‘The Octopus’. He maybe 34, but Gomes looks ready to step up to the mark, signing a three-year deal back in May. He could be difficult to get past.
Who should we start with?
Chances are Watford will play a lot of men behind the ball, so we need two fit wingers who can stretch the side out, therefore creating holes all over the place. Our only two wingers that could play (who should be fit enough) would be Bryan Oviedo and Kevin Mirallas. If the chance comes, we should stick on Gerard Deulofeu, who could use his pace and skill to Everton’s advantage – but only play him if he is fit enough. Cleverley had a good pre-season so I think he deserves the chance in midfield alongside James McCarthy. Also, if Rom doesn’t play then we are in a lot of trouble, nobody wants to see Arouna Kone start and head the ball 20 feet above the goal.
Option 2
Certainly a risky formation, but attacking wise it should help Romelu Lukaku a lot. Rather than having two holding defensive midfielders, we have two attacking midfielders. This would provide more support for Rom and it can help create many more chances for us. James McCarthy is our best covering defensive midfielder, but I cannot see him covering there for the entire game, so he will probably be switched if we were to play this formation.
What would your Everton team be? Choose it here.
Prediction
It’s too tough to call. Everton haven’t always done well at home on the first day, I would mention a few games but that would put me in a less optimistic mood. Watford done brilliantly last season, but can their squad jel together? Who knows? 2-1 Everton victory.
Stats via Squawka and FourFourTwo Stats Zone
Up the Toffees.
Joel Parker
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