Watford have been hit-and-miss, this season; when they’re not turning Manchester United over 3-1, in their backyard, they’re losing 1-0 to Stoke, in it. It’s no surprise that the Hornets have only registered one win in their last 10 Premier League games.
The problem? Goals, goals, goals; as always seems to be the case for teams lower down the league. However, Watford do possess strikers that know how the find the back of the net, with both Odion Ighalo and Troy Deeney proving that last season – 28 strikes between the pair.
Strikers can only score when they’re given the opportunity, though, and this season, the lack of chances created for the forwards is a cause for concern; five against both Bournemouth and Stoke, and an abysmal two mustered up against Spurs.
Deeney showed his capabilities against the Cherries, though, with a well-taken goal, with the Watford skipper heading home from a corner taken by former Manchester United midfielder, Tom Cleverly.
Troy Deeney's Goal Vs Bournemouth. #watfordfc pic.twitter.com/WJ3hCYcXKE
— . (@inactive56789) January 21, 2017
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Cleverley’s loan signing from Everton, already looks like a tidy piece of business. But Walter Mazzarri’s January recruitment of Red Devils players, past and present, shouldn’t end there. Former fan favourite at Vicarage Road, Ashley Young, is now out-of-favour under Jose Mourinho; and the Englishman has recently asked the Special One for a loan move, and a trip down the M1 to the 31-year-old’s former club seems to make sense.
Watford are lacking chances, and Young has proven himself to be one of the best crossers of the ball from set-pieces and open play. When Young actually played regularly two seasons ago, and had 26 appearances, the Englishman created 34 chances. In contrast, where Watford look for regular inspiration this season through Jose Holebas, the left-side defender-cum-midfielder has played just five games less than Young, and only created 17 chances. If Young was to be given a decent amount of games, once again, the former Hornet could turn provider for Watford’s strikers.
Ashley young one of the if not the most underrated players at our club always puts 100% in, he is quick got a nice delivery and can defend.
— Conor king (@ibrashow01) July 9, 2016
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That defensive approach to the former England international’s game could also be valuable; Young’s ability to be versatile and flexible would give Alec Baldwin’s lookalike, Walter, the perfect outlay coming into the second-half of the season. They’ve already leaked a poor 38 goals, this season, so Young’s experience and work-rate could contribute to tightening up the flanks, as he regularly played in the full-back position under Louis van Gaal.
The Hornets are in danger of looking behind rather than forward in the league, and with tough fixtures – Arsenal and Manchester Untied – coming up, their safety from the bottom three could come into question.
Put pen to paper on the United winger, and they could be singing from a different hymn sheet; more chances for the forwards, better delivery from both open play and set-pieces, and protecting the wide areas with greater consistency – Ashley Young is that man.
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