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Who are the best Watford players to consider under Pearson?

Nigel Pearson’s arrival at Watford has triggered a much-needed resurgence at Vicarage Road – but can Fantasy Premier League managers trust their assets just yet?

The former Leicester City manager has been in charge of the Hornets for a month now, which is more than enough time for us to assess the impact he has had.

We will go over recent matches to find out, as a result, whether or not there are any viable options to invest in for Fantasy managers.

As this article uses data from the Fantasy Football Scout Members Area, only those who are signed up either on a season-long or monthly Membership can access it in full.

What has Pearson changed?

After experiments with a three-man back-line under Quique Sanchez Flores, Pearson has lined up Watford in a 4-2-3-1 formation in every match so far.

Following his return from injury, Troy Deeney (£6.2m) is leading the line again while Gerard Deulofeu (£6.1m) and Ismaïla Sarr (£6.2m) have most often chosen to flank the attacking midfield either side of Abdoulaye Doucouré (£5.6m).

At the back, Kiko Femenía (£4.2m) has started every match at left-back with Craig Cathcart (£4.3m) and Christian Kabasele (£4.3m) the preferred options in central defence, although the latter is now suspended for Gameweek 22 following a Gameweek 21 sending off, his second of the season.

The right-back spot has been less settled, especially with Daryl Janmaat (£4.1m) out injured. In his absence, Adrian Mariappa (£4.2m) has largely deputised although his Gameweek 20 sending off saw Craig Dawson (£4.8m) feature there last time.

Crucially, these team selection decisions have helped Watford drastically improve their fortunes from Gameweek 17 onwards, when Pearson took charge of his first game.

During the last five Gameweeks, they have won all three home games, against Manchester United, Aston Villa and Wolves, proving that they can arguably record a positive result against a range of different teams.

Gameweeks 1 to 16 (left) compared with Gameweeks 17 to 21 (right)

The Hornets only scored nine goals in the first 16 matches of the 2019/20 campaign, a period which saw them managed by three different men, Javi Gracia, Flores and Hayden Mullins.

By contrast, in the last five matches, Pearson’s men have found the net eight times, a drastic improvement.

Assists between the two periods have also risen, from four to five – and from 0.2 per game to 1.0.

The defence has improved too. Goals conceded per game has halved from 1.9 to 0.8 while clean sheets per game have doubled from 0.2 to 0.4.

While the results have been impressive, the question is whether or not they are sustainable – which is where the underlying statistics come in.

In order to do this, we have run comparisons between the first 16 Gameweeks of the season against Gameweeks 17 to 21.

What has happened to Watford’s Goal Threat data?

1,368 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    With Arsenal going out of the cups their assets will have plenty of time to play all PL games. Some bargains to be had there. Pepe looks a prospect..

    1. el polako
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Stop it...

    2. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Pepe needs to fall by 1-2m+ in price to represent good value
      Currently being outscores by Jonjo Shelvey!

      1. have you seen cyan
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        70 mil for Pepe xD

      2. el polako
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        He did manage to run past Van Dijk in August or September to be fair.

    3. CONFUSECIUS
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      sell to me at 7m.. i'll buy...

      1. Salarrivederci
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Mesut 'The Raven' Özil

    4. SackWenger
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Drink your coffee

  2. Eleven Hag
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Looking for replacement for guaita, CTaylor and Sigurdsson - any suggestions!

    Guaita
    TAA Soy Lund (Kelly CTalor)
    KDB Mane Salah Sigurdsson (donker)
    Vardy Jimenez Ings

    1. The 12th Man
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Siggy has been put up for sale.

      1. Brosstan
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        United should sign him to fill the Lingard shaped void behind the strikers until they find a permanent replacement.

        1. The 12th Man
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Well off the pace now. Only good thing is his free kicks .

          1. Brosstan
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Still a major upgrade on Lingard/Pereira/Mata

      2. have you seen cyan
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        How do they do that, have they put a price sticker on him?

        1. The 12th Man
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Slapped on the forehead.
          However Schneiderlin would be free to a good home.

          1. have you seen cyan
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            lol, Schneiderlin.

    2. The 12th Man
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Sarr

    3. Geriatric Unathletic
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Guita has 2 poor fixtures and one of them is at Home v a poor Arsenal. Pretty decent fixtures thereafter. I have Guita and looked at many other keepers and rotations, none really seem worthwhile. If pushed, probably go for a rotation with Ryan.

    4. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Any cash for siggy to Maddison? Or get willian

    5. Regin
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      i am keeping guaita (pope back up)

      dont know y u have sigurdsson

      just keep taylor

  3. Lignja
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    1ft 1.6m itb

    Pope
    Taa, Soyuncu, Lundstram
    Mane, Kdb, Alli, Traore
    Abraham, Rashfrod, Vardy

    Martin, Rico, Kelly, Dendoker

    gw22 Alli to Son
    gw23 save
    gw24

    a. Son, Rashford to Salah, Ings
    b. Son, Abraham to Salah, Ayew
    c. Rashfrod, Rico to Ings, Robertson
    d. Abraham, Rico to Ayew, Robertson
    e. Rashford to Firmino

    1. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      A looks a no brainer

    2. BobBradleysOpportunity
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      as someone who has wasted far too many hours of their life on this game, planning a double transfer 3 gameweeks from now is impressive, so much could happen...

      1. Lignja
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        True, ill do Alli to Son anyway have some fealing that Son will do well, than ill decide

  4. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Ryan Cathcart/Kiko and Richarlison or Martial

    1. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      * failed response to Momanetaa

  5. Pat Bonner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Any thoughts on best move here, got 2ft and 0.9m in the bank:

    Pope button
    Soyuncu Kelly rico taa Lundstram
    Salah Alli Maddison grealish kdb
    Vardy Jimenez Connolly

    Loads of options, Alli on chopping block...could switch to 3-4-3 and gets Ings/DCL or could downgrade Alli to get mane in for Maddison in 2gws. Or take a 2 week punt for Alli before getting mane for kdb. Or lose Pope finally. What’s priority here would you say?

    1. Saro0808
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      lose pope and alli.

      1. Pat Bonner
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks. Could do Alli to Traore this week....Pope to McCarthy next week and then Jimenez and Maddison to Ings and mane for the double all for free.

        Just need to work out if mane is worth sacrificing Jimenez and Maddison for (and getting Traore over a more expensive mid)

    2. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Priorities are Pope and probably Alli. Its either one of these for me:

      A. Sort out Pope, save 1FT
      B. Alli>Fodder Connolly>Ings/Deulo/DCL

      1. Pat Bonner
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers. B was the original plan. But if I want mane I would need to get Traore and then move Jimenez and Maddison to mane and bench striker for gw24

    3. wulfrunian
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Imho i think that Pope and Alli must go.It's the easy/obvious move though.

      1. Pat Bonner
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers. Obvious but need to plan for double which makes it tricky

        1. wulfrunian
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Same position with you.I have Mane and trying to decide if it's worth to sacrifice someone to get Salah.Also Ings/DCL are top picks and we must decide if we want someone from Wham.

  6. TeddiPonza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Current team:

    Gazza Button
    TAA Soy Lundy Kelly Rico
    Salah KdB Martial Grealish Hayden
    Vardy Rash Jimi

    2 ft and 2m

    How is this plan?

    Gw 22 Gazza to Fabianski
    Gw 23 Martial to one week punt (Mahrez/Pepe/Maddison/Moura)
    Gw 24 Jimi and punt to Greenwood and Mane

    Thanks

    1. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Looks decent but you’d have to play one of Hayden or greenwood who never plays?

      1. TeddiPonza
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        That’s the downside and would probably play Kelly/Rico in a 442. Other option to bring in Mane would be switch KdB to Mane but seems frightening to be without KdB

        1. Pat Bonner
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Exactly the same problem for me! So hard to call it but mane salah double up looks great. I’d lose rashford ahead of Jimenez, could you get DCL then?

          1. TeddiPonza
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Will probably be priced out by 0,1-0,2 by then unless I bring in Ryan instead of Fab. Rashford’s fixtures slightly better after gw 23 then Jimi’s. But definately food for thought thanks 🙂

            1. Pat Bonner
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 12 Years
              4 years, 2 months ago

              Jiminez is better in the tough games. Makes me reluctant to lose him but need to if I want mane

    2. Saro0808
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      gw22 : gazza to fab/ryan (fab for the dgw)
      gw23 : martial to maddi,rashboy to ings/dcl
      gw24 : grealish to mane

      1. TeddiPonza
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        1,5m short :/

    3. phineedle
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Gw 23 Rashford to DCL and Martial to Mane

      1. TeddiPonza
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Might afford this if Rashford rises

  7. Saro0808
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Play any 4?help please
    A) Ings (lie away)
    B) Rico (wat home)
    C) Lund (Whu home)
    D) Baldock (Whu home)
    E) Soyu (Sou home)
    F) Holgate (Bha home)

    1. el polako
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Last 4

      1. Saro0808
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        No Ings? if play ings then no soyu and vice versa,both the players are nailed atm.

        1. el polako
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Cant see SOU scoring away at Leicester.

          1. Saro0808
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            0-9 was the last time,but ings played for 45mins.ryt now he had been blasting the nets,red hot form.he is like vardy,just needs a shot.

    2. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      ACEF

      1. Saro0808
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Ings and soyu both now way

        1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Hedge

    3. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Ings, Lund, Holgate & the 4th im not sure.
      I'd be tempted by Baldock tbh because I own Ings and think/want him to score.

      1. Saro0808
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        i do think ings would score,so soyu for me.atm i on a,c,d and f.

    4. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Don’t bench the second highest scorer in the league for a defender bro...

  8. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    What’s the deal with Kiko Femina? Says he has a hamstring injury but 75% likely to play?

  9. sirmorbach
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Lads, quick advise: should I play Grealish (MCI), Traoré (NEW), or Lundstram (WHU)?

    Leaning towards Traoré atm.

    1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Definitely Traore. Newcastle has conceded plenty of shots lately.

      1. sirmorbach
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers, mate!

    2. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Traore

    3. Regin
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      lundstram definitely @ home to West Ham

    4. fgdu
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      traore

  10. George Sillett
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    A few Leeds players looking good if they go up.

  11. goriuanx
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Ben White looks like a quality CB.

  12. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Nelson G

  13. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Lucky shiters

  14. wulfrunian
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    I have 2ft.What would you choose to do?
    a)Kane+Martial->DCL/Ings+Salah
    b)Kane+Aurier->Aguero+Soy

    1. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      A easily

      1. wulfrunian
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        cheers

  15. Spartac Mac
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Two future planning questions:

    Can you use wildcard and bench boost in the same gameweek?

    Also, is bench boost the best choice to use on a DGW - straight after widlcarding?

    1. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Can’t use in same week.

      That’s common plan to used bb after wildcard

    2. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      No.

      Theres no set best time, but that’ll be the most popular on here.

      WC36
      BB37

      1. Pat Bonner
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Feels wrong to wait until 36 to wc....esp with my rank! Could be a few dead rubbers by then as well

        1. Rainer
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Maybe run team into the ground for BGW31, WC32, BB DGW34, FH37.

          There will be plenty of options once we know more.

    3. Reedy
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      No, one chip per GW.

      And not in my opinion, but it's a popular strategy. I think the best time to use BB is any week when your specific squad looks primed to make good use of it.

      1. Rainer
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        1 week after a WC, with the potential of two games.

        Can’t get more primed than that, on paper.

        1. Reedy
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          On paper, yep. But this happens every season, we all get excited about the doubles and the players we expect to do well...don't. I think the problem is that the top teams struggle in periods of intense fixture congestion.

    4. Spartac Mac
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Nice one, cheers.

  16. have you seen cyan
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    I have noticed several Arsenal players and staff actually look like other people:
    Arteta - Captain Black (Captain Scarlett)
    Auba - Cat (Red Dwharf)
    Luiz - Sideshow Bob
    Guendouzi - Luiz
    Laca - That guy from the one show

    Anyone else? 😀

    1. HamezMace
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Ban for admitted to watching the one show.

      1. have you seen cyan
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Lol, no one hates the one show more than me. I have no idea who even watches it, I was hoping it would have been killed off after a year but its still going!

    2. el polako
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Kolasinac - like guy on youtube who fought off 2 thugs with knife

      Ozil - like guy on youtube who pooped his pants inside a Merc

  17. southernpacific
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Which wildcard side? Improvements?

    1) McCarthy Henderson

    Trent soy Lundy Holgate Webster

    Salah mane kdb martial cantwell

    Vardy ings Greenwood

    2) McCarthy Henderson

    Trent Gomez dunk Lundy soy

    Richarlison Maddison martial kdb mane

    Vardy ings ayew

    Maybe ayew > dcl
    Richarlison > cantwell
    Gomez > robbo?

  18. FPL Doctor
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    What to do here? 2FTs and 1.0 ITB

    Guaita
    TAA Soy Lund
    Salah KDB Maddison Alli
    Vardy Ings Abraham

    Button. Cantwell Kelly Rico

    Alli on chopping block. Thinking either Martial / Richarlison but also thinking about how I can get Mane for DGW as I fear him the most for that

    1. Saro0808
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      alli & abraham to mane to dcl.

  19. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Only one defender (TAA) amongst the 14 FPL players who reached 100 points so far. Not the season of the defenders that I initially thought it would be.

    1. HamezMace
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Well you weren’t alone in that line of thinking.

      It’s funny that preseason most people had two from TAA, VVD, and Robertson, with Digne.

      Now it’s TAA plus Lundstram (4m) Kelly (4m) Rico (4m) and someone like Holgate, or Soyuncu

  20. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Nicolas Pepe is most useless dribbler i've ever seen.

    1. George Sillett
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Have you never watched David Luiz ?

  21. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Hope no one backed Xhaka YC...

    1. HamezMace
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Do we know if Antony Taylor supports Arsenal?

    2. Monkey Hanger
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      He is like the girl in the red coat in Schindlers List.

  22. jimmy.floyd
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Play Alli or Grealish?

    1. fgdu
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      id say grealish but ideally play someone other than those two

    2. barracuda
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Alli, easy

  23. aleksios
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Which one is best?

    a) VVD--Tammy
    b) Robbo--Ings.

    Thanks

    1. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      B

    2. fgdu
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      b

    3. barracuda
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      B

  24. barracuda
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    An experienced opinion is needed fellas. 0 pts behind 10k, would you advise to use the WC earlier? Thinking before GW24.

    1. barracuda
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      *90 pts

    2. UTD - HATED, ADORED, BUT NE…
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      0’s nothing mate. You can make that up in 2 weeks with fts easy

      1. barracuda
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Apologies, meant to be 90 pts.

    3. BobBradleysOpportunity
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      absolutely dont unless your team warrants it, the second wildcard is the best chip in the game

      1. Pat Bonner
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        If it’s most important then is it wasted if used 3 weeks before the end of the season?

    4. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      How many changes would you make? I think there’s definitely a case to be made for the early wc if chasing...wait until 36 and it’s too late to make up ground. I’m certainly looking at it

      1. barracuda
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Exactly what I am thinking.

        1. barracuda
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Probably 5 to 6 changes

      2. barracuda
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Crazy season for you considering your fantastic history!

  25. Party time
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Damn... I need a massage

    • waltzingmatildas
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Over the next 2 gws, free transfers:
      Alli, traore, rashford to
      Salah, cantwell, dcl
      Good moves?

    • have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      If Villa got Sturridge and he was 6.5 in fantasy, any interest? Thats a fair price

      1. George Sillett
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        None whatsoever.

        1. have you seen cyan
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          what about the SSS days, good times. Suarez smashing it, Sterling assist man and Sturridge was pretty decent as well.

          1. George Sillett
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            He's become both almost permanently injured and shite since then.

      2. Monkey Hanger
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Take an age for him to get match fit.

        1. have you seen cyan
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          hes playing in turkey or something isnt he? I mean I assumed he was crocked but he is playing somewhere, Villa are interested.

          1. Monkey Hanger
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Didn't know that. He did have the world at his feet once, doubt he will get anywhere near that again.

      3. Kiwivillan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Absolute joke of a rumour. No chance we're interested

    • Rainer
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Small club bias from the ref tonight.

    • HamezMace
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      How has VAR seen that and not deemed it a second yellow at least?

    • DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Lacazette no card for that, Son red for similar

      1. AC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Agreed completely inconsistent

      2. Party time
          4 years, 2 months ago

          French kiss way better than Korean kiss imo