With The Hornets not in action this weekend I decided that I
would create my a Watford XI from my time of supporting The Hornets. Don’t take
players positions too seriously, it was hard to fit the players I wanted to into the squad.
Goalkeeper:
Ben Foster-
Single handily kept us in games at times when we were in the Premier League in
2007. Also played a vital role in the promotion campaign of 2005/2006. The fact
he played in a somewhat weaker squad means he edges it over Gomes.
Defence (Back 3)
Jay Demerit: Jay
Demerit optimised everything that is great about a footballer, gave it his all
every game no matter what position the club found itself in. His passion for
the club carried through the team meaning he would also be my captain for this
side.
Danny Shittu: Many
will find this controversial but since ive been supporting Watford we haven’t been
particularly blessed with amazing defenders. Shittu had all e characters of a
solid centre back, he was strong, tall and importantly he popped up with goals
which is always important in any team.
Gabriele Angella- The
first player to make my team from the Pozzo era is another goal scoring centre
back. At times he wasn’t particularly the best defender but he certainly blends
in with the passionate side of my team. Scored many goals during his time at
Vicarage Road and probably makes this team on the merit that we haven’t had
many gifted centre backs since 2005.
Midfield (4):
Almen Abdi- By
far the most gifted player I have seen in a Watford shirt. His dynamic midfield
play under Gianfranco Zola in his first season was breath taking to watch at
times. He could score goals from almost anywhere, pick a pass through the
tiniest of gaps and he could score from set pieces. His versatile nature where
he would slot in anywhere if it was to help the team matches the DNA of togetherness
that stands at Watford Football Club. He is everything you want in a midfield
player.
Nathaniel Chalobah: Another
player he took The Vic by storm during the Pozzo era, albeit on loan from
Chelsea. Chalobah is an all-round midfield player who could do the dirty work
as well as the technical stuff. He played an instrumental role in getting us to
the play off final and who can forget his thunderbolt against Leicester.
John Eustace A
controversial pick to many but when times were tough at Vicarage Road, John Eustace
always carried the team with his passion and commitment to the club. He again
does all the dirty work and slots in perfectly to this team as he will break up
the play, as well as offer something going forward. This would be the player
that allows the creative players to do their thing. He can also can score an
overhead kick if things aren’t going our way.
Ashley Young: Another
technically gifted player and one of the best ive seen during my time as a
Watford supporter. Young was an integral part to our promotion in 2006, he could
score goals, as well as provide them. I had to have someone who’s “one of our
own” in this team and there wasn’t a better fit than Young. Another set piece specialist
too and he can score goals from various distances. I was absolutely devastated as
a young 8 year old when Ashley left us in 2007.
Attack (3)
Troy Deeney: Some
will say it’s unfair I haven’t made Troy captain because he is the life and
soul of our club and has been since he was appointed captain in 2013. Deeney
bully’s defenders and doesn’t give them a moments piece. Despite his off the
pitch actions, any aspiring footballer should look up to Troy’s attitude and
loyalty. Forgetting his attitude, the most important thing is that he scores
goals and all different types of goals too. He is without the doubt the first
name on my team sheet, he will leave a Watford legend no matter what.
Marlon King: Despite
his off the pitch misdemeanours, Marlon King was my first footballing role
model. The way he found the net in what felt like every game in 2005/2006
season made me adore him, he was the first name I got on my Watford shirt. A natural finisher and another passionate
player who in my eyes still goes down as an important player in the history of
Watford Football Club.
Matej Vydra: The
most natural finisher I’ve seen in my footballing supporting life, when he went
through it was always inevitable he was going to score. His ability from one on
one opportunities was incredible, his goal against Leicester in that remarkable
play-off game shows he also has a natural eye for where the goal is. The one
player that I feel gutted didn’t make it with us in the Premier League. Him and
Deeney playing in this side would be lethal to any team.
Subs (7)
Gomes: He could’ve
easily made it into the number one role because he is an incredible goalkeeper
and is someone that has really taken to the “Watford way”. His passion for the
game is second to none and the connection he has with the fans is brilliant. On
top of that he is a brilliant goalkeeper who has all the attributes a keeper
needs. His reflexes are unbelievable and we all know what happens if he has to
face a penalty.
Malky Mackay: Despite
his managerial departure from the club, Malky made quite an impact at Vicarage
Road, on the pitch he was a commanding centre back who very much guided Jay
Demerit in his younger years and was part of the side that were remarkably
promoted to the Premier League. As manager he did at times play some fantastic
football and consolidated our place in the championship with a shoestring
budget.
Lloyd Doyley: Okay
he wasn’t one of our best players but no one can take anything away from “Mr
Watford” until recent years he was a constant reminder of what Watford were all
about in terms of bringing players through. He has seen and played through it
all at Vicarage Road so for this reason he makes my team. Also at times he was
a consistently decent player for us and other than Almunia was one of our best
performers at Wembley in that forgettable play off final
Tommy Smith: You
can play Tommy Smith in a number of roles and he is another player who will
always have a special place amongst many Watford fans memories. In his second
spell with us between 2006-2009 he scored 27 goals. My memory of him would be
when he used to cut in and fire into the far corner, he was another one that
when he had the ball you knew he was capable of something.
Odion Ighalo: Despite
his Watford career finishing on a sour note, he was a remarkable player for us
baring in mind his record before he joined The Hornets. His goals firstly fired
us to the Premier League, then without his goal we most certainly wouldn’t have
stayed in the league last season. Another player who changed did the important
thing of finding the goal.
Fernando Forestieri: The
little Italian absolutely loves the club and he is loved back by the fans. At times
he would drift through games but when he got the ball an air of excitement would
go round Vicarage Road. Some of the things he did with the ball were sublime
and he will always be remembered for his skill and some of the world class
goals he scored.
Danny Graham: The
scot rounds off what is a very attacking bench! Graham was another player who
could win points on his own with the goals he scored, lets be honest some of
the goals he scored kept us in the championship back in the 2009/2010 season
when things looked bleak. A likeable character and an all-round hard worker,
the partnership he formed with Helguson will always stick as one of my favourite
strike partnerships.
Manager: Gianfranco
Zola: Gianfranco played some of the best football I have ever seen Watford
play in that 2012/2013 season where he led us to a play off final at Wembley. The
quick passing and some of the goals we scored were world class. It is a shame
how it ended with him but he has provided some games that I for one will never
forget.
I would love to hear your all time Watford team and what you
think of my team. Leave your thoughts in the comments below.
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