2016-17 fan predictions: Watford
By Ollie Gandy, Watford fan
What are your feelings ahead of the new season?
Intrigued. I’ll be interested to see how the team perform under Mazzarri and hope that we’ll play more positively than we did in the second half of last season.
Are you satisfied with your club’s transfer business this summer?
Largely, yes. We’ve strengthened where we needed to. However, after selling Abdi I think we’re going to lack creativity in the middle.
How is your team likely to line up?
3-5-2 (some say 3-4-1-2 but we don’t really have anyone who can play as a deep-lying forward). We should look more solid with this formation – we played some outstanding football under Zola when we had three at the back. It will be interesting to see who lines up in the centre of midfield: Watson, Behrami and Capoue are all combative but all quite similar.
Have you got the right man in charge?
Yes. Other than one blip at Inter, Mazzarri has had a great career and from what I’ve read about him, he gets the best out of his players. Anyway, he only needs to get through one season before we replace him with someone else.
What do you expect from Liverpool this season?
More of the same, probably, and a slightly higher finish – perhaps even fourth (if Sturridge stays fit). I love Klopp’s attitude and the players seem to respond well to him but Liverpool were inconsistent at the end of last season. There have been some excellent signings but you have a glut of attacking midfielders/deeper forwards (Coutinho, Mane, Firmino etc.).
If you could have one Liverpool player in your team, who would it be?
Lallana. He looks like he’s stepped up a level and is just the type of player we need. Although he does need to score more goals and get more assists.
Top four (in order)?
Man City
Chelsea
Man Utd
Spurs
Relegated?
Hull, Burnley, Bournemouth
Who will be the surprise package?
Middlesbrough. They’ve made some quality signings and I think they could finish mid-table (the lower bit of mid-table).
What is your one wish for the season?
That the new law(s) around respecting referees are enforced. A few red cards should make things interesting.