3 Things We Learned From Watford’s 2-0 Opening Day Win Over Brighton
Ben Foster’s Fabulous Feet
As good as Heurelho Gomes was at producing outstanding saves, Watford’s new number one Ben Foster gives the Hornets an added dimension; his kicking. His ability to strike through a ball with either foot under pressure can be vital to the way Watford play. Just look at his near 80-yard goal kick in the first half against Brighton which put Andre Gray through on goal. Gomes could barely reach the halfway line with his goal kicks, sometimes resulting in unnecessary pressure being put on the team as the opposition could push right up knowing the Brazilian struggled with the dead ball.
It was also evident on Saturday how calm the defence was when playing out from the back with Foster acting as a fifth defender rather than a last resort to hoof the ball up field. After having the third worst defensive record last season, hopefully the Hornets can improve this area of their game and there is little doubt that the former West Brom keeper is a significant upgrade on what they had.
Capoue is Javi’s Man
The 30-year-old Frenchman is an obvious favourite of Gracia, having started all but one game since his appointment in mid-January. Capoue’s performances in a Watford shirt have so far been extremely inconsistent. One game he’ll produce dominating performances as seen in Watford’s 4-1 home victory over Chelsea last season. But in another game, he’ll be anonymous, just like his abject game in the ‘Orns 5-0 horror show at Anfield just a few weeks later.
However, Capoue has been superb throughout pre-season and this continued against Brighton. He was progressive in possession, opting to pass forwards rather than sideways on many occasions. He and fellow Frenchman Abdoulaye Doucoure managed to keep Albion’s key player in Pascal Gross quiet, forcing Chris Hughton to sub the German midway through the second half. Capoue’s game was summed up as he showed the confidence to calmly chest a deep Brighton cross back to his keeper late on. If he continues to deliver this level of performance, the ex-Spurs man will become almost undropable, even with Nathaniel Chalobah returning from injury in the coming weeks.
Bobby P is Magic
Since his arrival from Juventus in the summer of 2016, Roberto Pereyra has shown glimpses of what he’s undoubtedly capable of. However, most of the Argentine’s Watford career has been blighted by injury, especially the knee injury sustained at Manchester City in December 2016, which ruled him out of action for the rest of that season. Throughout a lot of last season, Pereyra seemed to lose trust in his body, and would tend to be anxious of going into tackles; he was also subbed on several occasions due to a knock or a minor injury. The 27-year-old was starting to show Hornets fans the man they hoped they signed at the back end of last season, scoring in 3 of Watford’s final 4 home games.
That form from the end of last season has resumed at the start of this, scoring both goals as well as tormenting the Brighton defence on Saturday. Pereyra’s first was brilliant. The technique required to control the volley and at the same time get enough power on the strike to give the keeper no chance is sublime. His second goal showed great composure to not panic with the amount of time he was granted by the Albion defenders, curling the ball past Matt Ryan with ease. He gave Premier League debutant Bernardo a torrid afternoon and Pereyra was rightly given a standing ovation when he was substituted towards the end of the match.
If Pereyra can stay fit this season, he will be a key player for the Hornets and it would not be a surprise to see him picking up the player of the season award come May.
