Sitting very uncomfortably in the last place of the English Premier League,
Watford FC, is getting
dangerously close to relegation as we approach second half of the season.
The Hornets will likely play in The Championship league next year unless they start winning games
very soon. This follows a less than convincing display after 14 games in which they played with only 8
points out of a possible 42 points to their name.
It almost feels like déjà vu for the Hornets fans as they witnessed their beloved team get relegated
from the Premier League in the 2006-07 season, also in 20 th position in the league. All of this is
somewhat of a surprise when you factor in that Watford FC were promoted back to the Premier
League in the 2014-15 season and have stayed up ever since, albeit always finishing in the bottom
half of the league.
The Hertfordshire-based team obtained its first and only victory of the season after 12 games. A
combination of bad luck and key players missing due to
injury for much of the season, including the
Club Captain and top scorer, Troy Deeney, as well as and the club's record signing Ismaïla Sarr. Last
year’s best player, Frenchman midfielder, Etienne Capoue, was also out for some important games.
As if the situation was not already a disaster, Hayden Mullins, a former player with Watford and
currently coaching the under-23 team, is in temporary charge. Watford just sacked its second coach
this season.
Quique Sanchez Flores lasted only 85 days after replacing fellow Spaniard Javi Gracia
who was sacked after only four league games in charge.
In an emotional letter written to Watford FC fans two days ago, Quique Sánchez Flores said: “I would
love to say a big thank you from my heart for the appreciation, respect and support that I’ve felt in
each moment I’ve lived in the lovely family that Watford FC is.” He added, “This is not the time to
think about individual feelings, it’s time to have a collective reaction. Peacefully, for having taken the
risk needed for someone and something I love: Watford FC and football. Hope, passion, fight,
commitment, effort, hard work and luck. Drop by drop, until we achieve it. I wish you all the best.
Stay strong! You’ll always be in my heart.”
It has been said that Sanchez Flores took controversial decisions such as persist with same tactics
and formations and seemed incapable of learning from his mistakes but will be fair to say that he
didn't have much to choose from and, on the contrary, he used 24 players of the squad. This number
of players used was only surpassed by Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur both with 25.
Watford fans can still dream with salvation if they remember for example Crystal Palace's 2013/2014
campaign when they reverted a poor start beginning with a stunning final comeback. As we know by
now anything can happen in football, however, resurrecting Watford’s premier league campaign will
be a real miracle.
Today, Watford will be facing their former head coach, Brendan Rodgers, as he leads his team
Leicester City, who are flying high and are equal on points in second position with Manchester City,
with a game in hand. The games in December are not looking good for the Hornets with home
games against Crystal Palace, Manchester United and Aston Villa with away games to Liverpool FC
and Sheffield United.
All of these games will be very tough for Hayden Mullins to win and no doubt will be giving lifelong fan and former chairman Elton John many sleepless nights. Watford FC need to pick up some wins soon, as no doubt many Hornets fans are already singing along to Elton John's
Don't Go Breaking My Heart for fear of relegation to the second tier.