We here in the Transfer Tavern have been impressed with what we have seen of Watford and Walter Mazzari so far this season.
Despite a mixed set of results, the Hornets look a stronger unit and better all round with the slight improvements he has made, and how he seems to have developed some players from last term.
When the club opted to sack Quique Sanchez Flores, it shocked many.
Their standout player so far has to be Etienne Capoue, who arrived in England at Tottenham, where things didn’t quite work out.
This season, however, the 28-year-old French midfielder has been quite the revelation under the former Napoli coach.
The great partnership of Troy Deeney and Odion Ighalo was questioned late last term by they seem to be back to their best in recent weeks.
With that all in mind, we feel this 4-4-2 formation will help Watford beat Middlesborough this weekend….
GK: Heurelho Gomes
The Brazilian goalkeeper isn’t the most traditional of goalkeepers and can sometimes make a meal of things at times.
But we for sure here at the Tavern know that the veteran Goalkeeper still has some quality saves in his locker as he proves most weeks for Watford.
RB: Camilo Zuniga
The Colombian defender found his way to the Premier League with a switch from the Serie A over the summer.
With his pace and ability going forward he looks to have cemented his place as first choice right-back over the likes of Janmaat.
The experienced full-back has the ability to use his pace to stop a Boro side who love to counter attack with the likes of Ramirez and Stuani.
CB: Sebastian Prodl
The big Austrian centre-half is a rock at the back for Watford and with his strength, it will be hard for the Middlesborough attack to break him down.
The experienced defender is now in his second season in English football and looks very settled at the back and not as panicked as he may have been last season.
CB: Younes Kaboul
The veteran defender arrived at Watford from a struggling Sunderland side and has looked a great signing for the club.
The 30-year-old has had his critics during his time in England, but looks a lot better and back at his best in this current side.
LB: Jose Holebas
Like Zuniga, this guy also has pace and can be found up the field as a very attacking defender and chips in with assists and even the odd goal here and there.
The experienced Greek defender has looked a shrewd signing since his arrival last term from Roma and we expected him to maintain his place in the starting XI this weekend.
CM: Etienne Capoue
The French midfielder has been the stand out star so far for Walter Mazzari’s side.
After a mixed start to life in England following his arrival from Ligue 1 side Toulouse to Tottenham, this season he’s shown to b a completely different player!
We don’t know what the gaffer is feeding him but let’s hope it continues for Watford’s sake.
CM: Valon Behrami
Like his central-midfield partner Capoue, Behrami has come out of his shell under his fellow countryman Mazzari.
The 31-year-old looks to have cemented his position in any side Watford put out this term. The Swiss playmaker has a brilliant vision of the game around him and knows how to pick out those around him.
RM: Isaac Success
The 21-year-old Nigerian has found himself a regular feature from the bench thus far since his return from injury.
From what we have seen so far of his ability – we here at the Transfer Tavern, our landlord and punters a like have been very impressed with pace and ability to take defenders on with his skills.
He has certainly lived up to his reputation from his time in La Liga with Granada.
Should shake off a dead leg injury in time.
LM: Roberto Pereyra
The Argentine midfielder arrived from Juventus near the end of transfer window and came with a glowing reputation during his time with the Serie A champions.
It did surprise many that he decided to leave them for Watford.
His versatility is a key feature to his game with the ability to play wide or through the middle, he gives Mazzari a lot to ponder!
ST: Troy Deeney
Mr ‘Watford’ himself Troy Deeney, the captain of the club and has to be in any team if they want to win!
The powerful striker of whom many have called on to be in the England set-up and our landlord here in the Tavern agrees with those calling for it to happen.
The skipper leads well from the front and is often involved in goals, whether he scores or just gets involved in the build up.
Don’t be surprised if his name is on the score sheet this weekend.
ST: Odion Ighalo
The Nigerian made a great start last term for Watford, he was scoring for fun in the side alongside Deeney.
However since the turn of the year he has looked a shadow of the player we saw in 2015- having struggled to score.
But the landlord and many punters here at the tavern feel that it is simply only a matter of time before he turns it up again and starts banging em in…Maybe it’ll start against Boro?
