Everton open the 2015/16 season with a home game against newly-promoted Watford.
We spoke to Sam Fribbins of Read Watford for his opinions ahead of the match.
1. Give us your assessment of Watford’s pre-season. Have the club progressed under the new manager? And where do you expect to finish?
I personally believe our pre-season was blighted slightly by the sheer amount of signings Watford have made, with players coming in on a weekly basis. This made it hard to keep our consistency throughout pre-season, and is maybe why we lost our final two games against Cardiff and Sevilla.
Quique Flores looks a great acquisition for the club, however I can’t make a judgement after such a short spell as Watford manager. Contrary to public opinion, I firmly believe the Golden Boys can avoid relegation. It might take a while for the team to gel after signing ten players, though it looks as though the quality we’ve bought, and already have, will prove crucial in finishing around sixteenth in the table.
2. How is Quique Sanchez Flores getting on? Is he the right man to keep Watford up?
It seems as though Flores is the right man in charge at this moment in time. He firmly believes in what the Pozzo’s are doing at Watford, and seems to be impressed by the quick growth of the club since their takeover in 2012.
Since Flores is more used to winning Europa League trophies, it is hard to see how the Spanish manager will fare at the opposite end of the table. However, I think Watford do have the right man in charge in order to steer clear of relegation.
3. What do you make of Watford’s new signings?
After signing 10 players, I’ll keep it short and cover what I think are our best pieces of business! Jose Holebas is a player that really should belong in a Champions League team. He kept Ashley Cole out of the Roma team for large amounts of last season, and many see him as a coup for only £1.7 million.
Another player I’m impressed about is the signing of Steven Berghuis, who managed to score an impressive 11 goals in 22 appearances for AZ Alkmaar in the Eredivisie last season. Though, I reckon it’ll take more time for Berghuis to become accustomed with the physical demands of the Premier League, compared to a player such as Holebas.
Lastly, I’m sure Everton supporters are aware of the signing of Etienne Capoue, becoming Watford’s most expensive ever player at the price of £5.7 million. He has a lot to prove this season and I’m sure he’ll fare well in putting his critics to bed in the coming months.
4. How do you view Everton?
As an extremely well-respected club, Everton are always going to be a top half team in the Premier League: a side for any team in England, and Europe, to be wary of.
5. How do you expect us to do this season?
I believe that Roberto Martinez has more to prove this season, after last season’s adequacy on the blue side of Merseyside. He recovered well during the latter stages of last year, however I now believe Martinez has a firmer grip on his squad now than ever before. A good finish beckons for the Toffees, who I believe will finish seventh.
6. How highly do you rate Roberto Martinez?
Martinez is a good, solid manager, with a system that works for him. He prefers an efficient, yet a ‘slick’ style of play to his Everton side. He’ll continue his work at Everton for a long time to come, and the progress you’re making under the Spaniard is evident.
7. Which 3 Everton players would you take to Vicarage Road given the chance?
This is a hard question to answer, since Everton have an abundance of talent at their disposal! The first player I’d have to pick is Lukaku. The main threat upfront, I’m sure the strong Belgian centre forward will score fifteen, maybe even twenty, goals next season.
Another player I would love to have at Vicarage Road is Seamus Coleman. The attacking outlet he provides on the right hand side is invaluable to any side, as well as being a more than capable defender when called upon.
The third player would have to be James McCarthy. I have to admit, I’m slightly surprised with how much he’s developed his game at Everton. He’s a completely different player than when he was at Wigan. He will slot extremely nicely in Watford’s midfield, alongside Capoue.
8. Which Watford players should Everton be wary of on Sunday?
I like to think that all eleven players on the pitch on Saturday will cause Everton a problem! Though, we both know that probably won’t happen. The one player I’d say Martinez has to be wary of is the threat of Odion Ighalo. His scintillating form in the second half of last season, when he scored 20 goals in 22 appearances, seems to have continued in pre-season.
Another player I’d look out for is Jurado, recently signing for Watford from Spartak Moscow. Football fans in general, with an adequate enough knowledge, will know already that Jurado possesses great vision and an excellent passing ability. He’ll provide the key to unlock the defences Watford’s attack comes up against next season, including Everton’s.
9. And who will Hornets fans fear in a blue shirt?
Aforementioned, I’d love to see Lukaku in a Watford shirt since he is the player I’m most afraid of Watford defenders facing. Leighton Baines is also known for his sheer quality on the left side, and Allan Nyom, Watford’s Cameroonian right back, will have to have a very good game to stop him. Moreover, if Watford give Everton enough set-pieces, Baines will simply punish us.
10. Likely Watford team and score prediction?
I recently wrote a feature “Predicted Watford XI against Everton”, so please check it out! I’m predicting a high scoring encounter: 2-2 the final outcome.
Thanks to Sam for his time. Be sure to follow the Read Watford page- @ReadWatford
Note: Lukaku image credit (Mark Runnacles: Getty)
