2005-06 record
League Promoted via Championship playoff
FA Cup 3rd round
Carling Cup 3rd round
ON THE ONE HAND, Adrian Boothroyd’s decision not to spend heavily and stick largely with the players who won promotion to the Barclays Premiership via the play-offs is both sensible and admirable because it reduces the risk of financial catastrophe in the (likely) event that Watford are relegated and it gives young, budding players the chance to prove they can cut it with the best.
On the other hand, the decision not to invest substantially smacks of defeat, an admission that there is little chance of staying up, while the manager’s faith in players inexperienced at this level seems somewhat naive.
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Either way, it will be interesting to see how Watford fare, although it will register as one of the biggest surprises in the history of the Premiership if they avoid the drop.
Their only genuine hope of doing that would appear to be the form of the leader of the attack, Marlon King. A proven goalscorer in the Coca-Cola Championship, Watford must hope that King does not find the step up beyond him and starts to trouble defences early enough for his confidence to soar.
If Watford struggle in front of goal, the pressure on the defence to keep clean sheets may become a burden too great to bear.
Manager One of the most respected and most dynamic young managers in the game, Adrian Boothroyd’s position is safe, having dramatically got Watford up through the playoffs last season, despite beginning the campaign among the relegation favourites
Player to watch Ben Foster was instrumental in helping Watford to achieve promotion and the 23-year-old goalkeeper, whom Alex Ferguson is purported to have earmarked as Edwin Van der Sar’s long-term replacement, has rejoined the Hornets on another season-long loan. The experience could be invaluable, as could his contribution
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In an ideal world Sir Elton John returns, offering untold millions to spend on top players. In the likely absence of that, the aim is survival, which would be a magnificent achievement, but Boothroyd predicts that Watford will be a ‘well-oiled outfit’ by the start of the season
INJURIES AND SUSPENSIONS
Clarke Carlisle (knee, one week), Sheku Kamara (knee, two weeks)
PRE-SEASON
If Watford can repeat their recent performance in a 1-1 draw against Inter Milan 38 times over next season they could yet stay up. Then again?
TICKET SALES
Season-ticket sales have increased as a consequence of their promotion to the Premiership by 4,900 to 13,100 — 66 per cent of Vicarage Road’s total capacity
If they were a historical figure they would be...President John F Kennedy
Fresh-faced, but are likely to face many shots during their travels