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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. balint84
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    what is the best pair from these? choose 2

    A) Abraham
    B) Jimenez
    C) Rashford
    D) Ings

    1. Baganuva Hatty
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Jimi and Rashford then swap rash to ings next gw

    2. KUNingas
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      D and either B or C

  2. zøphar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    With the Liverpool DGW approaching , many of us are looking to take cash out of our front line and move it to midfield to double up on their attacking assets.

    Two options in particular have been popular - Maupay and Calvert-Lewin

    Both have decent fixtures
    DCL - BRI whu NEW wat CRY
    Maupay - eve AVL bou whu WAT

    DCL the clear winner on stats - 11 shots in the box Vs 3 for maupay. The latter does have penalties though.

    Evertons display against Liverpool was a bit off-putting , so personally I'm sticking with maupay for another week , maybe even play greenwood ahead of him.

    Or is it best to ignore both and plump for the in-form Ings despite difficult fixtures ?

    1. Baganuva Hatty
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Ings

    2. KUNingas
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Ings, DCL, Maupay. In that order for me

    3. zøphar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Interesting. I sort of agree with this, I'm itching to get ings in for maupay next week but with villa and Bournemouth for maupay after Everton it's making me nervy

    4. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I currently have Maupay and given that he plays Villa & Bournemouth in the next 3 im tempted to keep hold of him for now.
      Would prefer to upgrade him to Ings later rather than getting DCL.
      But I think im going to wait till that Pool fixture is out of the way for Ings.

      Dont you think maybe we have missed the Ings boat?
      Or you think he will go on to score 20+ goals?

  3. KUNingas
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    RP.
    Salah or Robbo for GW24? 2FTs. Currently own Mane, TAA and Gomez

    A) Robbo + Martial + Jimenez
    GW22: Alli -> Martial
    GW23: Abraham -> Ings
    GW24: Gomez -> Robbo

    B) Holgate + Salah + DCL
    GW22: Gomez -> Holgate
    GW23: Abraham -> Ings
    GW24: Jimenez + Alli -> DCL + Salah

    Ryan, Button
    TAA, Soyuncu, Lund, Rico, xxx
    Mane, KDB, Maddison, Cantwell, xxx
    Vardy, Ings, xxx

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

      Both ways are good .Just depends which route you want to take.
      I’m torn but Salah,Mane double is so appealing.

      1. KUNingas
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Yeah, have to make the decision already for this week. Im sure I will choose the wrong one..

    2. Bruno Commando
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Have the same dilemma! Salah + Mane is so enticing but not sure if it's overkill..

      1. KUNingas
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        True. Robbo would be better value moneywise. Could use TC on Salah if I choose B

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

      B for me

    4. bench boost for every gamew…
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      It´s not all about Salah or Robbo but the other picks around it, the second banking on Everton to do well, the other one spreads it a bit, but would you want Martial after Norwich? Jimenez is very reliable, but Ings is outscoring him, Maupay is doing alright and DCL got a nice run. It´extremely difficult to know whats the right thing to do, i made my decision before Leicester and went double up mids and Gomez, as in my head that double is going to be TC material and by owning both you kind of getting at least a third of the others haul if you captains the wrong one, and hopefully you get it right and the other ones also doing well. Could argue it is not wise use of value, but wen i went for it i kind of looked at it as segue up to 24 and i saw those games as high scoring for Pool, and the best games are yet to come (i´d consider Spurs and United as the ones with best potential for many goals for Pool) and i might just let Gomez there, as it would mean a effectively -4 to get Robbo or VVD and as it stands now he is safe to play both games.

      1. KUNingas
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks for the good response. I totally agree with you. Only thing that leans to Salah is the option to TC him in GW24.

  4. Bruno Commando
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Which is better? I already have TAA and Mane so not sure about getting Saalah..

    A) Auba + Martial
    B) Ings + Salah

    1. KUNingas
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      B

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

      B

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

      B

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

      B

    5. Bruno Commando
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Looks like Mane + Salah is a popular option!

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

    2FT’s 1.0m itb
    Ryan
    TAA,Soyuncu, Lundstrum
    Salah,KDB,Maddison, Moura
    Vardy, Jimenez, Rashford

    Button, Cantwell, Rico,Kelly

    This week Moura >> Sarr
    Wk 23 Rashford >> 6.3m DCL
    Wk 24 Maddison > Mane and roll the 2nd FT.
    How does that sound?

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

      However I’m reluctant to drop Maddison but he can always comeback later.

      1. KUNingas
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Solid plan. Agree with you on Maddison. Any other ways to get Mane?

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

          Moura,Rashford >> Mane,Greenwood and go 4-4-2 but I’m not keen on that.

          KDB,Moura > Mane,Sarr . Rather keep KDB than Maddison.

          Or go the defensive route..

    2. Whats the Huth
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      you Won’t go back for Maddison once you have the Liverpool double up.
      Trust me.

      Is there any other way to do it

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

      Seems fine to me, dont worry about Madders

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

        Thanks

    4. bench boost for every gamew…
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      grealish on pens and main man seems to me more attractive than a right winger at Watford where Deeney and Delo is the main men, can Moura be Mané if you do the same move without the first one? If mané in for Moura and keeping Maddison, will a strikeforce of DCL and Ings be as good an option as Jimenez and DCL?

      Wolves got 2 nice ones, then a run with tougher ones (and yes i´m aware f them doing well in those) but it is coupled with EL from middle of february, in that aspect i think Ings/Maupay/DCL is better picks with better or at least not worse fixture and only league to deal with. If wolves progress in FA cup then it would add more games for them in an already full packed season.

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

        I’ve looked at. Vardy,DCL,Ings up top to get in Mane but 0.4 short.

  6. King Kohli
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Best way to shave off 0.2m here?

    Guaita
    TAA Soy Lundy Rico Lowton

    A. Guaita > Ryan/McCarthy
    B. Lowton > B.Williams/3.9

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

      A to Ryan

    2. KUNingas
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Both options are good. Are you planning to play Lowton? If not then B. Otherwise A

      1. Klein
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Lowton has been dropped from the squad.

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

        Moura,Rashford >> Mane,Greenwood and go 4-4-2 but I’m not keen on that.

        KDB,Moura > Mane,Sarr . Rather keep KDB than Maddison.

        Or go the defensive route.

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

          Reply fail. Opps

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

        This

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

      A

    4. Klein
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Both options are great. Lowton not playing and gueita nailed if it makes any difference.

  7. Klein
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Got enough money for straight transfers next week for free. Have salah and Taa

    A) chilwell to Robbo
    B)kdb to mane

    1. KUNingas
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      A

    2. Whats the Huth
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      A

      You need KDB salah and mane though

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

      A

    4. bench boost for every gamew…
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      B is not recommended, but as a move in gw24, KDB got SHU away while Mané double it could be a move for the bold ones? In both options you losing a very good player/asset, no other way into Pool?

  8. Tinmen
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Folks, is this idea good or too risky?
    2ft

    Ryan
    Trent Launstrum Rico
    Salah Grealish Martial KDB
    Kane Ings Vardy
    Button Tomori Kiko Dend

    This week- Kane to DCL
    Next week- Martial and Tomori to Sterling(C) and Dunk.

    And then Sterling to Mane

    1. Whats the Huth
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      If you’re getting sterling. This week is the week to him.

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

      I like it

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

      Sterling needs to come in this week if your getting him.

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

        For Martial? Who’s home to Norwich and Who’s my only United cover

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

          I know it’s a Difficult decision.

    4. bench boost for every gamew…
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Palace defense is not worse than united and that planned move costs you 4 points, so i would just do Mané next week.

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

        No it’s for free

        1. bench boost for every gamew…
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          if you bring in Sterling for gw23 and then Mané in 24 that is not for free, as you are using a transfer which costs 4 points, no matter if it is FT or not. To make it more simple, Mané in from gw23 instead of sterling saves you a transfer.

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

            Yes no points deducted tho.
            Sterling is a better option I think for captain next week

            1. bench boost for every gamew…
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 2 months ago

              Could be a decent cap option, still it needs one extra transfer to go that route, which is a cost and it makes you less flexible.

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

                Cheers. I’ll maybe see how the game goes tonight then

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

    Alli + Rash to Salah + Ings look good for free?

    Guaita
    TAA Soy Lund
    Mane Salah KDB Grealish
    Vardy Jimenez Ings

    4.0 Cantwell Rico 4.0

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

      Yep.

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

      Not sure about getting rid of Rashford but overall I guess it will work by next 4-5 weeks

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

        Its a tough decision this week, but I dont want to be priced out. Salah can change easy if he fails, Rash worked in if need be.

        Not to brag, but at 3k OR I am just trying to be proactive to get ahead. Long run in my head this makes sense. Wish I could wait a week for sure

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

      Getting rid of Rashford this week isn’t ideal but long term, yes.

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

        Yeah not thrilled, but I would regret it if I got priced out. For the long term I have to do this and sacrifice a potential Rash haul. Trams strong enough to cope too.

    4. bench boost for every gamew…
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      imo head that sound good as you getting rid of players that got Pool up next, and seems a bit out of sorts so not sure they would do well after Pool even with what looks like good fixture mind

      Both teams looks erratic and Ings is reliable, Salah plays for the superior team in the league, who´s on a mission that will at least continue til the dgw, and i think Klopp will see those next 4 or 5 after that as a run which they can more or less win the league by winning them.

  10. Konstaapeli
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Morning all. Thinking of ways to get Mane + Salah combo for GW24. Which is better?

    A) KDB + DLC + 0.2
    B) Maddison + Rashford

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

      B

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

        Not keen on KDB, Holmes?

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

          Individually he is a good but as the options suggest, B is of better quality and potential.

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

            *good pick

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

            I tend to agree. But I just hate the idea of losing him.

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

          Majority here consider him as season keeper though, so I'm probably walking on wrong path 😀

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

            Different isn't always wrong 😉

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

            KDB >> Salah/Mane >> KDB could be considered too.

            Week 24.
            Maddison v West Ham, Rashford v Burnley
            KDB Sheffield Utd away. DCL v Newcastle

            It probably boils down to how much value one has tied up in KDB.
            I’d only be losing 0.2m but others would be losing a whole lot more.

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

      I’ll be sacrificing B if I go Mane.

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

        Do you have them both at the moment? Who comes in for Rash or you if you go down that road?

        TAA + Robbo is another option, but Mane + Salah combo just looks so juicy.

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

          No, just Salah and TAA.
          So deciding between Robbo,Mane and VVD.
          VVD saves me an extra transfer but will probably end up going Mane.

          DCL comes in for me.

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

            TAA + Robbo + Salah/Mane could be gold but I'm afraid to own the wrong attacker.

            DLC seem's the best option on that price but I'm still not sold on him.

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

      A for me. KDB needed.

  11. Ci Siamo
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Who is more likely to start the next 2 gameweeks?

    A) Willian

    B) Siggy

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

      Willian.

    2. zøphar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Willian is pretty unstoppable tbh

      1. zøphar
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        *undroppable . Autocorrect

  12. AC Yew
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Hey guys. I have two options for my team structure going forward to accommodate double Pool defence (TAA Robbo). Which is the stongest:

    Mane Maddison KDB Mooy Traore
    Vardy Ings Jimenez

    Or

    Mane Maddison KDB Grealish Traore
    Vardy Ings Maupay

    Many thanks

  13. MaRooney 5
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    who scores more this week:

    a. TAA + DCL
    b. Doherty + Jimi?

    1. manu4life99
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      B

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

      Probably B

    3. MaRooney 5
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Cheers!

  14. manu4life99
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Bench 1

    Grealish
    Soy
    Traore

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

      Grealish reluctantly

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

      If you think Ings will score then Soyuncu

  15. Gowiththeflow
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Benching headache... any thoughts on who to bench? Currently on:
    Henderson
    Suyuncu, TAA, Lundstram
    Mané, Traore, Salah(c), Martial, Rich
    Vardy, Rashford

    Ings, Rico, Kelly

    Would like to play Ings but don't know for whom...

    Any insight greatly appreciated guys

  16. EL tridente
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Who to captain?
    A) Vardy
    B) Rashford
    C) Salah
    D) KDB

    1. Party time
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Throw a 4 sided coin