Members

The Numbers Game – Watford

Our series of summer members’ articles continues this afternoon as we assess what’s on offer at the managerial merry-go-round that is Watford.

To begin with, we analyse the Hornets’ performances on a team level, checking out last season’s data in order to spot trends and areas of improvement. Following that, we take a look at the players to pinpoint their key individuals.

For this article, we also focus on new manager Marco Silva’s impact on his former club Hull City after an impressive stint at the KCOM Stadidum during the second half of 2016/17.

Watford parted company with Quique Sanchez Flores at the end of 2015/16, scoring 40 times on their way to finishing in thirteenth spot on 45 points.

Yet the now-departed Walter Mazzarri failed to improve upon those performances in his only season at the helm. The Vicarage Road outfit scored the same number of goals but picked up just 40 points, ending the campaign in seventeenth position.

Paul Is certain he won't make the same mistakes next season. Follow them on Twitter

5,762 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Differential C (Mark)
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Please RMT

    Foster Elliot
    Cedric Francis Lowe Suttner Long
    Alli Mane KdB Carroll RLC
    Gabbiadini Kane Lukaku

    Should I downgrade anyone to free up funds, or is this lineup plausible.

    Thx in advance

    1. Differential C (Mark)
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Lineup, sub RLC, suttner and long and Elliot

    2. bojack
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Defence looks poor but that's normal given your front 7!

    3. sunzip14
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      I would put Abraham in place of Gabbi and free funds

      1. Differential C (Mark)
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Sorry, am a saints fan, need to put Gabbi in there

        1. DeathoftheParty
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Gabbi over Austin though?

          1. Differential C (Mark)
            • 8 Years
            6 years, 9 months ago

            Gabbi i think is more nailed.

  2. sunzip14
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Which attack is better?

    A)
    Alli, KDB, Pogba, Salah
    Lukaku, Lazazette, Abraham

    B)

    Alli, KDB, Mane, Willian
    Lukaku, Jesus, Mounie

    1. FPL Hitman
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      B

    2. Differential C (Mark)
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      B

    3. Gooner Kebab
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      A

    4. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      B

  3. bojack
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    I'm wondering whether Mané will only get 60 minutes against Watford given his preseason wasn't as long as others and the CL. Making me side with Salah slightly.

    1. SUAREZ_MESSI_COUTINHO
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Not much to choose between the 2. Pick either one.

    2. FPL Hitman
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Is Defoe likely to start for the 1st match?

      1. FPL Hitman
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        RF

    3. Live Lad
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Good point. I went for Firmino.

  4. Smoky Johnson
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Anyone else going without Lukaku?

    1. DV8R
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      That ownership though..

    2. FlockofSeagulls
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      *tumbleweed rolls by.

    3. Differential C (Mark)
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Tempted with Jesus. It'll be close

    4. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Absolutely not

    5. HamezMace
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Me, Kane, and Jesus (just two up top)

      1. Smoky Johnson
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Whats swaying you away from Lukaku and instead going for Jesus despite the high ownership?

  5. anish10
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Ignoring Alexis fitness issues, which would you choose?

    A) Foster, Bavies, Sanchez, Salah

    or

    B) DDG, Kolasnic, KDB, Mane

    Rest of the team is :

    ** Elliott
    Walker Yoshida *** Mee Hunuimer
    Atsu *** Willian **** Carroll
    Kane Jesus T.Abraham

    1. Gooner Kebab
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      A

    2. DV8R
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      B

    3. FC nelo
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      B

  6. Wings Fan
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Huzzah, I've gone 48 hours without changing my team!

    Foster

    Daniels - Yoshida - Kolasinac

    Salah - Willian - KDB - Zaha

    Kane - Lukaku - Abraham
    --------------------------------------
    Elliot - Carroll - Suttner - 4.0

    Any suggestions or causes for concern? I was a little worried when Kolasinac started on the bench yesterday but I assume everyone is fairly confident he'll start after his performance?

    1. bojack
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Wings! The band the Beatles could've been.

      1. Wings Fan
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Indeed.

        Sadly it's a reference to Welling United though 😉

  7. FPL Hitman
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Is Defoe likely to start for the 1st match?

    1. bojack
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Hard to say.

      Could be that King & Afobe start.

      And if my phone changes Afobe to Adobe once more...

      1. FPL Hitman
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Cheers. This would mean King will be a good option to start with then.

  8. FlockofSeagulls
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    I've settled on my gw1 team. Feel free to critique as all opinions are welcome.

    Forster
    Cedric Valencia TAA Danilo
    Mane Willian Milivojevic (or Carroll)
    Jesus Kane Lukaku
    Subs: Carroll Cork Löwe

    A few early punts such as Danilo and TAA but they can easily become similarly priced alternatives once their place is under threat.

    Thoughts? 🙂

    1. bojack
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      I like to preserve my 37 FTs so I don't like the very short term punts or Danilo and TAA. I'd take one at most.

      1. FlockofSeagulls
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        You like the rest, or too top heavy you think?

    2. DV8R
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Will TAA play?

      1. FlockofSeagulls
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Should do until Clyne is back. 2-3 games is my guess. But just a guess. He is a punt after all.

    3. Differential C (Mark)
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Milo to Atsu, perhaps?

      1. FlockofSeagulls
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Atsu looks like having a lot of upside but he plays for a tinkerman and Murphy is also challenging for that position.

        Milo is nailed, and for 5mil he has pens and some set pieces regardless of the position he plays. Not a world beater but hard to find better value at that price all things considered.

  9. ludaslol
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Pogba or Firmino? Depends if im going 3-5-2 3-4-3

    1. Game of Stones
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Firmino

    2. FlockofSeagulls
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      See how Pog performs against Real and then decide. Will be second game with Matic so should get a better idea about his positioning on the pitch and if Matic pushes him further forward. If so I'd go with Pog considering the fixtures.

    3. FPL ZB
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      I fancy Pogba this year if you can get Salah or Mane in midfield with him

  10. maclrc
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Any changes or GtG?

    Foster (Elliot)
    Daniels-Cedric/Yoshi-Kola-BDavies (Rangel)
    Eriksen-Ritchie-KbD (Carroll Loftus-Cheek)
    Firminio-Jesus-Kane

  11. schmileyg
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Please RMT

    Elliot

    TAA Jones Cedric

    Pogba Eriksen William De Bruyne

    Jesus Lukaku Firmino

    Sper /TC/Rangel and 4m Def

    Plan is to WC around week 4 , so this is just temp i guess

  12. hogree
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    A. Mounie, DDG, Danilo, Daniels
    B. Firmino, Foster, 2 4.5 DF (3 way rotation)

    1. Differential C (Mark)
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      B

    2. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      B

  13. Arteta
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Thoughts on Lukaku Lacazette Jesus trio?

    1. C-Dawgg
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Not sure what you want to hear. They're all forwards in very good teams and should score goals.

      Also you don't have Kane but they might outscore him anyway. They might not though.

    2. Bunk Moreland
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      I've toyed with it. But Lacazette did not look impressive yesterday, so I think I will end up with a cheaper 3rd striker like Gabbiadini or King. The other two will probably stay.

    3. Differential C (Mark)
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Not convinced with Laca.

    4. Arteta
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Thanks for sharing your views. 4 days to nail it..

  14. hannibalos
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    I have decided to transfer out Trippier (5.5M, injury fear) and Milivojevic (5.0M, plays as CB lately).

    So, now looking for 4.5-5.0M defender and 5.0-6.0M midfielder. Especially in midfield there are so many options.

    Thinking of Cook and Can at 5.0M each.

    Any ideas? Thanks

    1. Wimmer winner chicken dinne…
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Townsend @ 6m

      4.5 depends on what rotates well with your other defenders

    2. Dasher0303
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Gross and Stephens/Ake

    3. Wings Fan
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Suttner/Mee + JWP/Fraser?

      1. Wings Fan
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Ah, didn't see it was up to 6.0m for the mid.

        Still like Fraser though.

    4. FlockofSeagulls
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      JWP, Brady, Fraser and Phillips are your best bets in midfield until we see how the promoted players in that price bracket fair. The players I listed are at least prem proven so pick according to fixtures. Should all score similarly over the season.

  15. Fintantio83
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Who starts G.Jesus or Aguero?

    1. FPL Hitman
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Both imo

  16. Bambi
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Hows this squad guys?

    DDG Elliot
    Kolasinac Cedric Francis Suttner Long
    KdB Mane Fraser Fer Carroll
    Kane Jesus Firmino

    1. bojack
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Fer could be an astute pick.

      1. Bambi
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        playing at tip of diamond. has terrific pre-season form.

    2. FPL Hitman
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      If it were me I would keep one of Mane or Firmino

    3. DV8R
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      No Lukaku is going to hurt you

    4. Mick J
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Is Kolasinac nailed to start most games? And as a wing back? Didn’t he start on the bench yesterday and came on to play centre back? £6.0 would be a bit expensive for a centre back rotation option.

      1. Bambi
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        after his impact yesterday and arsenals midfield problems I would back him to start friday

  17. JaydenLFC87
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Pretty settled with with my team of 15 for the start of the season

    Can I get a RMT out of 10??

    Forster
    Luiz Bertrand Martina
    JWP Salah Eriksen Zaha
    Lukaku Firmino Jesus

    Elliott Chalobah Lascelles Dunk

    1. FlockofSeagulls
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Solid as long as your happy with no Kane. I'm not as brave.

      Does Martina play for EVE? If so I would pick someone else. Everton have horrid fixtures early on.

  18. FPL Maldini
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    RMT, trying something new

    1. FPL Maldini
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      RMT, trying something new

      1. mcrayeps
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        10

    2. Johqvist
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Lacks Kane.

  19. chanvoodoo
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Please RMT

    Foster/Elliot
    Kola/Danilo/TAA/Naughton/Mee
    Alli/Redmond/Coutinho/Zaha/Carroll
    Kane/Lukaku/Mounie
    Thank you

  20. FPL Maldini
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    RMT, trying something new

    1. DV8R
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Great team.

    2. mcrayeps
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      10

    3. FlockofSeagulls
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Same as the last one so 3/10.

      You can do better.

    4. Johqvist
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      You still need Kane.

  21. FPL ZB
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    I've been tinkering and not sure how I feel about it:

    a) Trippier (or 5.5 replacement) Zaha Willian Bertrand

    b) Kola Mili Salah Yoshida

    Any ideas? Quite big changes there

    1. Dasher0303
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      B but change mili to Carroll.

      1. FPL ZB
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Carroll is already on the bench

    2. Kun Tozser
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      B if you're only
      Liverpool cover

  22. Kun Tozser
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    How nailed does this team look?

    DDG
    Walker Kolasinac Bertrand
    KDB Mkhitaryan Milivojevic Atsu
    Kane Lacazette Firmino

    1. Gooner Kebab
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      very nice

    2. FPL ZB
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      I would be concerned with Mkhi and Atsu's minutes. Although I've been eyeing Atsu up quite a few times

      1. Kun Tozser
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Expecting a bit of rotation with Atsu but have Carroll on the bench. Mkhitaryan is the punt and can see him coming off early in games, chances are he's already got points in the bag though, I think he's better than the 7 mids on offer at least

  23. YoungPretender
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Toss up between this 433 and 343;

    Foster (Myhill)
    ALONSO Bellerin Alexander-Arnold Yoshida (Long)
    SALAH DeBruyne Fabregas (Carroll, RLC)
    Kane Lukaku JROD

    Foster (Myhill)
    DANILO Bellerin Yoshida (Alexander-Arnold, Long)
    WARD-PROWSE ZAHA DeBruyne Fabregas (Carroll)
    Lukaku Kane FIRMINO

    So it comes down to;
    433 - Alonso, Salah, JRod (Bench Loftus-Cheek)
    343 - Danilo, Ward Prowse, Zaha, Firmino (Bench TAA)

    1. socho
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      A mix of both

  24. Ray_P_Jenkins
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Rmt please guys

    Foster
    Valencia Stephen's TAA
    Pogba William Tadic Phillips
    Kane lukaku jesus

    Elliot Carroll mee Tomkins

    Any thoughts would be appreciated.

    1. The Tinkerman
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Really like it, Tadic is a punt but great fixtures, TAA a risk but Mee and Carroll both definitely play so you have cover if it goes wrong. Does Tomkins start?

    2. socho
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      That midfield is weak though, doubt Pogba is a valuable pick at the moment

  25. mcrayeps
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    9.0 left for my 3rd def and 4th bench def.. help me please 😉 currently on Mee + Manquillo

    1. Game of Stones
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Mee and Suttner

  26. The Tinkerman
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    FOSTER
    JANMAAT, Valencia, Cedric, AKE
    Willian, Eriksen, De Bruyne
    Lukaku, JESUS, Vardy

    or...

    FORSTER
    DANILO, Valencia, Cedric, KOLASINAC
    Willian, Eriksen, De Bruyne
    Lukaku, FIRMINO, Vardy

    1. DV8R
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Vardy is an interesting pick...

      1. The Tinkerman
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Disclaimer: I'm a Leciester fan.

        But Vardy was the top scorer against the top 6 sides last year even with our dire form for half of the season, and him being starved of chances. It's a punt, but I think he is really nicely priced this year and will get plenty of space on the break vs. the early sides we face. Looking forward to his partnership with Nacho.

        1. The Tinkerman
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Also, he is nailed and almost certainly on pens with Mahrez leaving this summer.

    2. Differential C (Mark)
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      A

      1. The Tinkerman
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Because? I made A that way to increase flexibility to jump on bandwagons. Could also change Janmaat/Ake to a 4.5 and upgrade my 4th defender to another 4.5 (currently Long at 4.0) to improve the structure further. But I prefer the starting XI of B.

    3. FPL Hitman
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      B looks the stronger team on paper

      1. The Tinkerman
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        I agree, but it is also slightly less flexible as a result. There are plenty of avenues to move Firm/Vardy to a 10.5 or 6.5 striker by transfering both or moving Valencia on, but you need 2 moves to jump on the likes of Jesus, whereas A is more well structured. Can't decide if it is worth the sacrifice.

  27. Thunder Warrior
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Foster
    Yoshida Monreal Daniels
    Mane Zaha Iwobi Tadic
    Jesus Kane Lukaku

    Elliot Carroll Mee Mariappa

    gtg?

    1. Birds of Prey
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      find .5 to Marriapa > Hegazi
      They rotate the first 8 games playing at home w/o facing any of the top 4.
      I want Iwobi, but will probably stick with Fraser. Pretty solid looking. GL

  28. Silicon Vialli
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Last mid position to....?

    A) Ince
    B) Knockaert
    C) Capuoe
    D) Xhaka
    E) Shaqiri
    F) T. Davies

    1. Birds of Prey
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      A

      1. Silicon Vialli
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Done

    2. MB10
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Ince

  29. jamest4
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Current team (with 0.5m ITB):

    Foster / Elliot
    Cedric / Dawson / Daniels / Mee / Rangel
    KDB / Willian / Zaha / RLC / Carroll
    Kane / Lukaku / Jesus

    Who can I upgrade with the 0.5m in this?

    Or do I swap Jesus for either Rodriguez or Austin and upgrade Carroll to Erikson/Alli

    1. Birds of Prey
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Rangel to Hegazi who rotates with Mee giving you:
      BOU WB STK CP/brt WH HUD WAT WH
      Though thats alot of WB
      I went with the big 3.

    2. Teror
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      No need for both Jesus and KdB. Pick one, reinvest the funds elsewhere. I'm inclined towards KdB > Salah / Mane

  30. The Pep Revolution
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    What do you think of Iheanacho as a third forward option? Is he nailed on to start?

    1. Birds of Prey
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Great, but not until GW5.