How did Watford do this season? 2021/22 FPL review
With the Premier League season over, it’s time to assess each of the 20 teams one-by-one. So here is Watford’s FPL review of 2021/22.
Watford continued to yo-yo between the top two divisions by succumbing to relegation once more. For a while, they looked competitive, with four early wins including a 5-2 over Everton and a 4-1 against Man United.
Just the two managerial changes for them this time. Xisco was replaced by Claudio Ranieri after seven matches but, soon after a 3-0 home defeat to Norwich, in came Roy Hodgson to try and fix the situation. Despite this, Watford ended up 15 points adrift of 17th place, largely due to getting just one point from their final 13 home games.
FPL review
Watford’s defence was to be completely avoided this season. Their four clean sheets ranked as the division’s lowest and the first didn’t arrive until Gameweek 23. Also, only one goal came from their backline – Hassane Kamara in Gameweek 34.
In attack, Norwich were the only team with fewer goals, as the Hornets only scored 11 times after Gameweek 22.
Best FPL asset
With defence out of the question, Watford’s least bad attacking asset was Emmanuel Dennis. An initial £5.0m price tag matched the low expectations following his arrival from Club Brugge.
Yet he quickly produced a 12-point opening day return and – by Gameweek 20 – was on eight goals and six assists.
Ownership peaked at 3.5 million in time for Double Gameweek 23. But that’s when things went off the rails for him. Captained by 1.2 million to face Norwich and Burnley, he was sent off in the first match and ended the round on negative points. From that point, only two more goals were scored, but 17 attacking returns from such a low starting price was an excellent contribution.
Meanwhile, Ben Foster was the only £4.0m-priced goalkeeper that became their club’s number one.
Biggest FPL disappointment
If this has to be whittled down to one, it’s fellow forward Josh King. Although the early injury to Ismaila Sarr was disappointing in a different way, King spent a large chunk of the season with over 600,000 owners.
After a hat-trick at Everton was soon followed by two more goals, no more came after Gameweek 13. Managers stuck with King had to put up with him blanking in the next 13 starts.
Looking ahead to next season
It’s hard to see many of Watford’s squad getting a move back to the top flight. Dennis has already been linked with West Ham and Sarr should get a big-money move but that could be it.
Supporters just have to hope that new boss Rob Edwards can quickly steady the ship and lead another promotion campaign.
Check out our other season reviews, as well as regular summer round-ups of FPL news and gossip.
