Promotion - How Is It Achieved?

Ok, the shock of relegation has now sunk in and seeing we're no longer a team in the Fantasy Premier League was a low point for me. The next reality check will be 21st August when the fixtures come out. I'll purposely look for Rotherham away, as part of my own therapy readjustment to being a non-Premier League side now.

So, what do we need to go up?

Well, I personally think we have virtually everything we need already. We can only get weaker from here on in, depending on who we sell.

But books will need balancing to a degree, however, I believe the board will be brave and run us as close to a Premier League side as possible. Anyone who is seen as baggage should be sold, but it's a long hard season and we need to bat deep, almost creating a first XI and second XI who can be interchangeable without harming the performance levels.

Right now, we have this in all areas apart from defense. We need a first choice central defender and a back up keeper. That's all we need IMO.

We have appointed an interesting coach. Although he has to be considered a gamble, it's probably worth taking the risk. He has qualities which will hopefully translate to the Championship, but it will be a huge learning curve and he'll be expected to hit the ground running. No excuses, we have to dominate the league next season. If we fall short early on I expect he'll be replaced.

Key players we have to retain are Sarr, Pedro, Welbeck, Deeney, Capoue, Foster, Estupinan, Suarez and Hughes. For me, these players are vital, for various reasons.

I would like to keep Deulofeu as well, but I think we'll have to accept he'll only be around until he's proved his fitness.

Being realistic, we will have to sell a few players, although I don't think we need to move on as many as some people may think. Pereyra and Doucoure are probably the biggest two we'll try to sell, along with Gray.

The reputation of the owner and board have taken a hit, especially last season. When things are going well, they are happy to speak with fans with forums and other things, but when it's not good, they go into their shell and have alienated the supporters. Even now, communication is extremely poor. This has to improve and they need to have the fans on board and be a little more open, even if it's at a conceptual level.

We just have to guess what their next move is, and what their plans for the club are. We've all got to be pulling in the same direction, fans as well, and the hierarchy will be wise to remember this.

But, so far I'm pleased with the way things have gone since relegation. The coach is potentially exciting, and is certainly not in the boring, journeyman camp. Their first signing of Ngakia is an excellent one, and one which surprised a lot of people. No major outgoings either, and a firm stance on Sarr of he's not going unless it's a huge bid. These are all very good signs.

Even though the Pozzo's reputation has taken a hit, and their approach is questionable in the Premier League, they have proved to be extremely competent at Championship level. I trust they can get us promoted and I think we could potentially have our best ever season in Division Two.

 

Liked especially for the reference to “Division Two”. Couldn’t agree more about your observations on the club’s communication policy.

 

Usually one more point than the team in second will suffice.

 

I think the attitudes/confidence levels of our more experienced players will be key. Especially the likes of Cathcart, Dawson and Foster. Many have stated that we need experienced heads to come in e.g this season's Watson, Hall or Guedioura. It made more sense in 14/15 as we mostly had a squad of younger foreign players.

I also don't think that's the sort of player we'll be in for. The recruitment team, quite rightly imo, are looking to lower the squad age.

 

Stopped reading at the bit that says we "have to" retain Deeney.

 

I knew that would push your buttons.

But, even though it's not popular to rate Deeney these days, in the Championship he'll be vital. There will be lots of games where we need someone physical upfront to beat up the meathead central defenders, especially in away games.

We do need to evolve past Deeney eventually, but not next season.

 

The Championship is a brilliant but tough and relentless league. Our squad are mentally and physically weak and that concerns me. In the Premier League when they play twice in a week over Christmas they are quick to trot out the line about "the games come thick and fast". There were two midweek scheduled games last season, this coming season we have thirteen and the league season has 20% more games than a Premier League season.

A major shift in mindset is needed.

 

What we need more than anything is a good start.

Which incidentally is the translation of my user name.

 

I would be pleasantly surprised if we got one. The squad has to start again with a new coach and new ideas. They make take a while to bed in.

I would actually rather we improved through the season, something we rarely seem to do.

 

Yeah, too often we seem to get a new manager bounce, only for it all to fall apart when it becomes apparent that the manager is just a placeholder. Hopefully the board don't stick their noses in too much and the players don't get any ideas about Ivic's future, because if so, I could see the possible mediocre start grow into something better

 

It's also classic Watford for us to start off incredibly well, only for us to fade away like a limp stick (get your mind out the gutter). What got us up last time round was Championship steel/nous/grit combined with brilliant talent in a season where we started well, stuttered in the middle and then had a brilliant finish (last day aside). The Championship might have changed a fair bit since we were last there, but the same formula still applies.

 

I think that was the thinking behind getting Ivic in rather than Struber (I may be doing the Austrian a disservice, but he seems a happy jolly type who might struggle with the big egos). Hopefully we allow him to do his thing without much interference from upstairs. On top of that, you'd imagine some, if not all, of the big ego players will be off, or at least won't have as prominent a role to play. As things stand, I'm not overly worried about our players not being able to last the course, we'll have a bigger squad than most, I guess there'll (rightly) be a few concerns about the likes of Capoue, Cleverley and Chalobah coping physically (if they stay), although we may yet bring in reinforcements, and either way, they won't be asked to play every game

 

I believe Capoue is more than capable of the physical side in the Championship. On paper he and Hughes are probably the best midfield partnership in the division. Cleverly and Chalobah concern me as back ups though.

 

I think not underestimating the Championship is a good start. Far too many teams have been relegated and thought they were good enough to get promoted immediately and failed miserably, could easily happen to us.

 

The two positions Hornetboy mentions, CB and goalkeeper are vital for re-enforcement. A big, strong, dominant centre back and maybe not just a player happy to be no.2 but a keeper who will really push and compete for Foster's place.

 

I agree with most of that, Capoue looked shattered by the end of last season but he's surely got one good season of Championship-level football left in him. He'll get a bit more time and space which should help his legs.

Chalobah should be fine as a back-up for the Championship. Cleverley doesn't really offer anything anymore.

One more good option in there will be useful given the number of games, shame it couldn't be Gueye. Perhaps Dele-Bashiru could step up.

 

Not sure Deeney can necessarily do this though.

He did to Lovren this season but not many others.

I think that a clever or quick striker might be of more use against huge centre backs at this level.

 

It didn't help when so many of the players were too old, both from a physical perspective but also a mental one - too many of them were coming towards the tail end of their careers having achieved most of what they'd have wanted to and so couldn't give a stuff if they got relegated. I also genuinely think having both Dawson and Foster in there together, who are used to being relegated, didn't help.

We'll need more players with a genuine desire to get back in to the PL again, and that's unlikely to come from our old guard who probably wouldn't even be playing for us the following season if it happened. Bringing some of our loanees back would help with this, as will Ngakia, but a few more hungry players to replace the likes of Dawson, Deeney, Gray, Cathcart, Pereyra and Cleverley wouldn't go amiss.

 

Deeney is even worse away from home because he allows the opposition to push even further forward in attacking us knowing that there'll be absolutely zero threat to them from Troy running in behind. At least playing at home there's a chance we'll at least be playing a bit higher up the pitch/nearer to the opposition box ourselves already anyway so would be less likely to get hemmed in.

Also, next season is an ideal opportunity to move away from Deeney as it can give players a chance to get used to playing a slightly different way, and hopefully seeing that it can also bring results. It would also give more chance for another forward to get up to speed to English football without the immediate pressure of the PL.

 

Completely agree. The players do have enough ability, despite the what more melodramatic posters believe, to push for promotion. It's all about having the correct mindset.

 

This seems more likely.

 

Maybe Chalobah and Cleverly are iffy re staying fit, but I reckon any Championship club would love them as squad players.

 

Cleverley is complete and utter toilet.

 

Not at Championship level he isn't. A useful squad option.

 

Good post

retain Hughes , Sarr , Gerry (can’t see it), Foster , ditch Pereyra , doucs , Gray , get Janmat fit bring in a couple more youngster and get players like JP and Quina to step up. Make sure the attack is fast and can score, make sure the defence is hard as nails and has watched videos of Doyley to know how it is supposed to be done in the championship (big and hard and dedicated )

make sure everybody on the field is dedicated to the club , play like we can , not like we have been , stop the cult of Deeney , if he proves he can still hack it great, if he plays like this year sell him

if we do the above , now one will touch us , if we sell The Crown Jewels and replace with cheap championship players we will be destined to be a championship side

 

I’m actually very excited and optimistic about next year. It does feel like a massive one off year though. Promotion or if not cutting our cloth and going back into the Championship pack. Stoke would have felt as optimistic as us this time last year.

 

I wanted to now take a more in depth look at the squad, as it currently stands, but I will omit those who I think will be certainly gone before the season starts.

GK
This could be our biggest problem. No obvious backup to Foster and even he has been linked to Premier League clubs in the past 24 hours. I'm hoping he of course stays, and all the talk was to give the Championship a go next season. He did sign a 2 year deal only a couple of months ago, so he was clearly thinking of staying. I believe we need a strong backup as well. Someone like Scuffet on loan, or Butland from Stoke, maybe both if Foster is sold. But for me, this does need to get sorted before the season starts.

RB
We are now strong in this area. Ngakia, Janmaat and Kiko are very good choices, plus Mapps and Dawson can play there if needed.

LB
If we retain Estupinan then we'll be strong in this area too. With Masina as backup and possibility of Kiko playing there as a stand-in. We have enough in this position for sure.

CB
Ok, this is the big one. We are nowhere near good enough in this position. Sure we can fumble away for another season with a pick of two of Dawson, Cathcart, Kabasele, and Mariappa, but those names are only really mid-table Championship quality. It's not good enough, and is extraordinary we didn't sign at least one Premier League centre back in all that time we were in the top tier. We can obviously add Wilmot to the mix, but we do need to sign an upgrade and maybe move out a couple of players.

MF
I will omit Doucoure, as I do not think he'll be with us next season, but we are still strong if he's the only one that goes. I think we need to keep Capoue and Hughes. They would be vital. I'm not as dismissive of Chalobah as others are. I think he needs a run of games in order to regain confidence and form. He's a player who has reached very high levels in the past, and I think he'll be a cut above in the Championship. With Doucoure going that will leave the door open for Quina to finally stamp his mark. I've always been impressed with his quality and ability to play in tight areas. Cleverley will add some vital experience, and while I don't think he'll be a regular starter, he'll be an excellent player to call on from the bench. Dele-Bashiru should be in and around the first team and could be a real breakthrough season for him.

RW
Now, what we could have available in this position is absurd for the Championship. Sarr and Deulofeu. Wow......and let's hope that's the case. Behind these two is the very able Pussetto, so we're really blessed on the right side.

LW
Again, we have some incredible quality to call on. I believe this will be Pedro's breakthrough season and he will make this position his own. I do not expect Pereyra to still be with us, leaving the door open for him. Welbeck also can play here or centrally, then we have the ever durable Sema, or the unpredictable Penaranda.

FW
This is the hardest place to get real quality, but Watford have it in abundance. Suarez should be with us, and there's a lot of hope and expectation with him. But he'll be fighting it out with Welbeck and Deeney. That's probably the best front line the Championship has seen in a long, long time if you add in the LW/RW players. Let's not forget Cucho, who could be added in January, WP pending.

It's an exciting looking team, especially in the forward areas. Lots of quality, youth and experience. Let's face it, which other Championship club can get anywhere close to the squad we currently possess? We're favourites for a reason, and that's not being arrogant or disrespectful of the Championship, but no one could attract the squad we currently have from the second tier.

 

Stoke were relegated two years ago.

 

Here are a few things I hope for..

Firstly, bucking the trend of recent seasons the window stays open for a month of the new season rather than shutting the evening before the first match. As sadly our relegation means realistically we are more of a selling club now, I really hope any departures happen over the next four weeks rather than on deadline day itself. It could be really disruptive starting the season with our first choice side only to have to endure four weeks of rumours linking players with a move away, and then almost having to start the season again.

Secondly, this season will be more brutal than anything we’ve known before. 8 extra league matches from what we’ve grown used to, and a month less to play them all. There will be 13 midweek fixtures this season. Squad depth will be crucial and much as though most of us hate rotation, it’s going to be necessary for Ivic to keep everybody both happy and fresh. I’ve read that he’s good at maximising a squad and I’m pleased about this.

Thirdly, I hope people won’t panic if we start slowly. After relegation under GT we won 12 and drew 3 of our first 15 matches yet finished mid table. Under AB we were top after 32 matches, yet only sneaked into the play offs on goal difference. A good start would be nice to lift us all again after relegation, but the mid season and the finish will probably count for more. Ivic needs time to settle down and get to know his squad, and in this 46 game season he can have it too.

 

While the club need to cover for that, it's not as if players can just walk away without the club's blessing. Most of our squad are under long contracts. We're not in a vulnerable position where we have key players in the last year of their contract.

If players go, it will be because it suits the club. No one is going if they are seen as vital to a promotion push.

 

Brentford and Norwich were more fancied than us last time I checked.

Just seen you are correct. Lots of people lumping on us?

 

Not according to OddsChecker

https://www.oddschecker.com/insight...ookies-release-prices-ahead-of-2020-21-season

 

I don't think he's toilet, he's just not a holding midfielder which is where Watford coaches keep seeming to play him.