SM
Real Sociedad vs. Real Madrid: 21 hrs 54 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

The key questions as Watford are relegated from the Premier League

:Headline: The key questions as Watford are relegated from the Premier League: ID:408018: from db_amp
Three consecutive defeats have sent Watford down.

Watford have been relegated after a 3-2 defeat at Arsenal and have joined Bournemouth and Norwich in dropping down to the Sky Bet Championship.

Here, the PA news agency takes a look at where the Hornets go now and who is expected to be part of the journey in the second tier.

Where did it go wrong?

Managerial changes have not helped Watford's cause. A poor end to the 2018-19 season carried on into this campaign and resulted in Javi Gracia being sacked in September. Quique Sanchez Flores made a surprise return, but only lasted until December, with an 8-0 defeat at Manchester City a low point. Nigel Pearson helped steady the ship and appeared to have the Hornets on course for safety, but he was dismissed on July 19 after a crucial loss away to West Ham and interim head coach Hayden Mullins has not been able to keep them up.

What now for the Hornets?

Watford owner Gino Pozzo has appointed a large number of managers since he took charge of the club (Mike Egerton/PA)

Back in the second tier for the first time since 2015, a permanent manager needs to be appointed at Vicarage Road. Owner Gino Pozzo has not been short of surprises in the past and will hope his next head coach can take the club back up at the first time of asking and tap into the flourishing youth players in the academy. A big rebuild could also occur player-wise, which ex-boss Gracia may have been asking for last summer.

Who could move on?

Goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes and defenders Adrian Mariappa and Jose Holebas will be out of contract on July 31 and they could be joined by a number of current team-mates in bidding farewell to Watford. Captain Troy Deeney only has one year left to run on his deal, while record signing Ismaila Sarr may be on the move after showing glimpses of his potential this term. Etienne Capoue, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Gerard Deulofeu have become favourites with the supporters in Hertfordshire, but are others who should attract interest.

Which players may stick around?

Tom Dele-Bashiru only made three appearances for Watford in the 2019-20 season after joining from Manchester City last summer (John Walton/PA)

Watford signed attackers Joao Pedro and Ignacio Pussetto in January, but both have failed to make an impact in the top flight and could shine next season after settling into their new surroundings. Craig Dawson and Danny Welbeck only moved to Vicarage Road last summer and may also stick around with both having at least two years to run on their contract. Ben Foster turned 37 in April and could remain the Hornets' number one in the Championship, while youngsters Domingos Quina and Tom Dele-Bashiru are two who may flourish if given a run in the side.

amp_article__408018 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2020-07-26 18:31:34:
html db last update - 2021-03-11 14:39:51 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html
Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Leicester CityLeicester443041086394794
2Leeds UnitedLeeds44279880374390
3Ipswich TownIpswich432611685533289
4Southampton442591085612484
5West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom4420121267442372
6Norwich CityNorwich442191477611672
7Hull City441912136556969
8Coventry CityCoventry4317121468551363
9Middlesbrough44189176460463
10Preston North EndPreston44189175661-563
11Cardiff CityCardiff44195205061-1162
12Bristol City441611175147459
13Sunderland44168205251156
14Swansea CitySwansea441511185762-556
15Watford441217155958153
16Millwall441411194355-1253
17Stoke CityStoke441311204460-1650
18Queens Park RangersQPR441311204157-1650
19Blackburn RoversBlackburn441310215874-1649
20Plymouth ArgylePlymouth441212205869-1148
21Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds44138233968-2947
22Birmingham CityBirmingham441210224864-1646
23Huddersfield TownHuddersfield44917184774-2744
RRotherham UnitedRotherham44412283285-5324
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .