Watford’s nerves were tested as they headed for an opening weekend victory at home to Aston Villa. Brighton managed to make a comeback in their trip to Burnley and are waiting to create fascinating resistance when they host the Hornets on Saturday afternoon.
The first time I asked, Watford returned to the Premier League with a playing staff filled with familiar names from their previous spelling in the top flight. Although, as might be expected, the same cannot be said of them in the excavation.
Here’s the page that Xisco Munoz, the sixth person to take over Watford in the last two years, can put in for his first Premier League match on the road.
Daniel Bachmann, 11 years younger than fellow club goalkeeper Ben Foster, was picked before his more experienced teammate last weekend / Tony Marshall / Getty Images
Daniel Bachmann (GK) – The goalkeeper details were split in the middle between Bachmann and Ben Foster for Watford last season, with 23 games each. However, the Austrian national team player got the nod last weekend and may well be recalled before his older counterpart.
Kiko Femenia (RB) – Only two Hornets got more than Femenia’s four assists last term. After a cautious absence from the opening weekend squad, the former Barcelona and Real Madrid youth player’s creativity should be restored to the squad
William Troost -Ekong (CB) – Troost-Ekong was taken in after Watford’s relegation and is one of three international matches in Nigeria that run through the spine on this side.
Craig Cathcart (CB) – One of the more experienced figures in the squad, Manchester United’s youth product, is set to mix inside from his time at the back as last weekend after Femenia’s return.
Adam Masina (LB) – After sitting out the first half of last season with a late injury, Masina has been a regular in the side under Munoz’s management.
If Ismaila Sarr scores against Brighton, it will be his third league goal in a row, the first time he has achieved such an achievement for Watford / Tony Marshall / Getty Images
Ismaila Sarr (RM) – To match his windy speed, Sarr’s windy start to the season – which really left Aston Villas Matt Targett kinking – is simply a continuation of the fine form he ended the previous campaign with.
Juraj Kucka (CM) – At 34, the former Serie A stalwart arrives at Watford with a wealth of best flight experience.
Peter Etebo (CM) – The Stoke City striker got off to a winning start in life in yellow and will return to base in a midfield that he anchored to victory against Brighton.
Tom Cleverley (CM) – After running into public space on a Manchester United side led by Sir Alex Ferguson, the seemingly untouched Tom Cleverely is now somehow 32 and, less surprisingly, a crucial figure in Watford’s midfield.
Ken Sema (LM) – Watford’s diligent winger made more appearances than any other player during last term’s campaign-winning campaign and will resume his role among the squad’s important core.
Emmanuel Dennis found the net on his Watford competition debut against Aston Villa / Tony Marshall / Getty Images
Emmanuel Dennis (ST) – A debut goal saw Watford’s new frontman become the fourth Nigerian to find the net in his first Premier League appearance. The trip to Brighton should give him the opportunity to improve on his former compatriots by scoring goals in his next match as well.
