Another season, another manager for Watford. Can Marco Silva dodge the same fate as Quique Flores and Walter Mazzarri? Watford seems to have a touch of the Tony Pulis about them, get to 40 points and then switch off. What’s more important to us though is, how will Watford line up for this coming season and who would be worth drafting into our teams?

Goalkeepers

Heurelho Gomes has been an ever present in goal for Watford since signing for them in 2014 and while I don’t expect that to change going into this season, I wouldn’t be surprised if his place comes under pressure from Costel Pantilimon or most likely, Daniel Bachmann.

Daniel Bachmann has signed on a free transfer from Stoke City and has been called up to the Austrian national team in the last couple of international breaks, he’s only 23 and probably seen as the long-term successor to Gomes.

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Heurelho Gomes though offers us a reliable and proven points scorer who benefits from the Heaton Rule for Draft Fantasy Football. Last season, Gomes finished as the 10th highest scoring goalkeeper which is made more impressive when you consider that Watford didn’t win any of their last 6 matches last season.

Heurelho Gomes should be picked up, most likely as a second-choice keeper for your team. He’s good but there’s not much differentiation between him and other keepers from the lower league teams. Expect Gomes to still be available in the last couple of rounds.

Defenders

In the 16/17 season, Watford managed to only keep 6 clean sheets all season. The only player that seemed reliable for start’s and the occasional goal and assist looked to be José Holebas. Holebas got himself 2 goals and 4 assists last season which is a good return in a struggling team. One thing that goes against Holebas is the number of bookings that he can pick up, that’s just negative points there.

Daryl Janmaat can also come up with the occasional goal and assist but he seems to be racking up the injuries which prevent him from getting more starts.

As for the centre backs at Watford, Younes Kaboul is probably the best of a bad bunch but there’s not much difference between Kaboul, Prödl, Britos or Cathcart.

When it comes to the draft, there’s not really much to recommend here for me. I see most of the Watford defence being available on a free once the draft is over.

Midfielders

I feel like I was a little harsh on the defence at Watford but their midfield offers us some exciting prospects going into this season, especially those that are playing with the Kante Rule.

First of all, who the hell saw that start to the season last season from Étienne Capoue coming? Capoue was available after our draft last season until one guy had gambled on him after the first couple of games of the season. Sadly, for Capoue and Watford but lucky for the rest of us without him in our team, that form dried up. Capoue could well be worth picking up this season, if he can stretch his patches of form out then he can be a real asset. Capoue will also benefit from the Kante Rule as will new signing Nathaniel Chalobah.

Chalobah works hard, will run for the entire game and shows great promise in tackling opponents. The Kante Rule is perfect for the young defensive midfielder and I think he’ll be making a way into someone’s draft team this season, possibly around the 11th or 12th round stage.

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Watford have been busy in recruiting English midfielders this summer, Tom Cleverley completed a full transfer from Everton but barring a couple of assists, I don’t see him offering your team much but someone that could be worth a gamble on is Will Hughes. One of those players that has been unfortunately labelled as “the next….” has been rumoured to be moving to the Premier League from Derby County for a few seasons now but now that it’s occurred it’s a chance for him to shine on the bigger stage. If he’s free in the later rounds, it may not hurt having him in your team.

Arguably the best player to try and pick up though from Watford is Roberto Pereyra. The Argentine’s debut season for Watford though was cut short by a bad knee injury. If he stays fit, expect the former Juventus man to be a difference maker in the game with a selection of goals and assists. He’s should still be available in the middle rounds of your draft and they may be the time to bring him in as he should give you an unexpected advantage over your rival managers.

Forwards

There’s not too much to choose from for this position from the Watford team. Troy Deeney is proven and reliable but he also looks to be missing the start of the season with a groin injury. Despite that, I see him being picked up quite early, maybe even around the 4th round. Deeney’s 23 goals over two seasons may not scream “prolific” to you but he provides assists and if Marco Silva plays to Deeney’s strengths he could be on course for a good 15 goal season.

Due to Deeney’s injury, Stefano Okaka looks to be starting up front for Watford. I wasn’t that impressed with him last season but Marco Silva turned Oumar Niasse from an Everton outcast into a rare ray of light in the Premier League for Hull City. It’s for this that I think picking up Okaka may be worthwhile, especially if you’re looking for a 3rd striker in the later rounds

Wildcard

I’m giving it to Will Hughes. He’s been lauded over and rumoured to be the next big thing for a while so now it’s his time to prove it in the Premier League. He’s still only 22 but has 187 appearances, 12 goals and a bucket load of assists to his name. If he can step it up a level, he could be formidable. Remember, Dele Alli came from the lower leagues with a high reputation and look at him now.

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Conclusion

A very hot and cold team Watford. I couldn’t recommend any defenders really but their midfield could provide some quality to your team while the forwards are very much, wait and see. If you’re looking for Watford players then it’s best to shortlist Gomes, Deeney, Pereyra, Chalobah and Hughes.