That will boost his confidence no end - hope it will help him manage the step up when he returns. I noticed that WTE captained Nigeria to another win too yesterday - 3-0 against Lesotho.
The Hornets' match against Norwich City at Carrow Road on Tuesday April 20 will now be shown live on Sky Sports, kicking off at 6pm. This replaces the Sky Red Button option originally planned for that fixture. Beat me to it Mark.
please log in to view this image A 33,000-seater carbon zero football stadium could be built on a golf course within the next five years, according to a planning document. Detailed first stage proposals to transform Bushey Hall Golf Club have emerged, most notably providing a new home for Watford Football Club. Further details Watford Observer.
B.Lawal can say he scored for England ! https://uk.soccerway.com/matches/20...endlies/england-under-17/watford-u23/3482741/
From the Athletic Watford used to have the ball a lot and went nowhere – now they have a plan please log in to view this image By Adam Leventhal Apr 5, 2021 please log in to view this image 9 please log in to view this image Watford’s 1-0 victory over Middlesbrough on the opening day of the season proved to be a false dawn for Vladimir Ivic. Even though Xisco Munoz’s team couldn’t repeat the feat by drawing 1-1 at the Riverside on Easter Monday, they’re in a far better place some seven months on. Only four players — Kiko Femenia, Nathaniel Chalobah, Ken Sema and Joao Pedro — remained in the starting line-up from that first match in September. Ivic wasn’t helped by having to operate, at first, against a backdrop of transfer uncertainty, with a squad of players still licking their wounds after relegation. He was also unable to call upon the likes of William Troost-Ekong (who wasn’t signed until the end of September), Philip Zinckernagel (who joined in January), Ismaila Sarr (who wasn’t fit to start) and both Will Hughes and Adam Masina, who were injured. Personnel makes a big difference but the most pertinent contrast is that in every department, they appear to know what they’re supposed to do to win matches. Back then, it didn’t necessarily appear to be the case. As Watford prepare for six games that will define their season — including against four of the top six — that is something to give them hope. Goalkeepers Injury dictated that Daniel Bachmann got his chance ahead of Ben Foster but there seems no reason to change now that the Austrian has got himself settled. Keeping 10 clean sheets in 18 matches is no mean feat and the relationship that he has — via loud, clear instructions — with his back four can’t be underestimated. Being beaten at his near post at Bournemouth aside, he’s barely put a foot wrong. Watford are well set in goal and have reliable and experienced back-up if needed. Defenders Ivic played wing-backs because he didn’t have a left-back, so Ken Sema or Kiko Femenia would do the job. Now that Masina has belatedly given Watford balance on that side, coupled with laudable leadership qualities, it has unlocked benefits in other areas — most significantly, being able to play a back four. Within that setup, Francisco Sierralta — who didn’t start a match under Ivic — has been a revelation and formed a solid understanding with former Udinese team-mate Troost-Ekong. Although Jeremy Ngakia made a bright start to his Watford career and started that first game, Femenia is rightfully the first choice at right-back and has shone this season. Watford were defensively organised under Ivic, as shown with that opening clean sheet against Middlesbrough, but there now appears to be a clearer plan of how to get the ball into advanced areas of the field. They used to have the ball a lot and went nowhere. Now they look like they have more of a plan. Midfielders In Will Hughes, Watford now have a fulcrum; a player who will come and get the ball from the back four and has already seen the next phase of play. Under Ivic, it was apparent the centre of midfield was being negated but the team had lengthy spells of possession across the back line, which squeezed the space for midfielders to operate. Now Hughes offers the route through or, if Troost-Ekong or Sierralta advance, he can sweep in behind to cover. Ahead of them Chalobah, Zinckernagel or Tom Cleverley (who is line to return at least to the bench against Reading on Friday) can play further forward and make Watford a far more dynamic force in the final third. There was positional rotation under Ivic but now the cogs fit together more smoothly. Attackers That synergy is most noticeable in the final third. While Ivic tried to develop partnerships, often including Troy Deeney when available, now they have a trio who appear to enjoy rotating and searching for space in behind with guile and speed. Sarr’s quick thinking to get to the byline and pull the ball back to Pedro in the second half was a great example — it doesn’t always go to plan but they always hold that threat. please log in to view this image Joao Pedro was a threat against Middlesbrough (Photo: Stu Forster/Getty Images) The three-pronged approach also allows others to join in too. Against Boro, Sarr cut in from the right to find Zinckernagel, who cleverly turned infield before feeding Sema, who played in Pedro on the left. It didn’t result in a goal but was a perfect example of how Watford are now able to string cohesive passes together in the final third. They need to be more ruthless but they’re not predictable or toothless. They also have handy alternative options: Deeney could be a useful plan B if he can return to fitness and Isaac Success is also a useful wildcard. Togetherness Although two games in four days over Easter saw a few erratic moments — including Chalobah’s reckless challenge on Sam Morsy after 30 minutes on Monday which could have seen him sent off rather than given a yellow card — there is something that exists now which will ultimately stand them in good stead when the tension rises during the run-in: togetherness. What happens to big names and key players in the summer, even if promotion is achieved, isn’t of concern now; all that matters is getting to that point by whichever means possible. You get a reminder of the team spirit that has been garnered at the end of every warm-up when Jorge Abella, the strength and conditioning coach, gets the players together. Next comes high-fives all round and two energetic final sprints before a return to the dressing room for the final preparations. It appears to reconnect the squad with the sole purpose of the day: strength in unity. There are bound to be setbacks against the tougher opponents to come but Watford look in good shape as they head for the end of the season. It certainly feels different from the start of the campaign, that’s for sure.
Watford FC confirms defender Craig Dawson will sign a permanent contract with West Ham United at the end of this season, after clauses within the terms of his loan were met.
