Sunday 2nd September, Vicarage Road. Watford v Tottenham Hotspur. Both Watford and Tottenham have been quick out of the blocks this season with maximum points from their first three games. Life without Richarlison has started well for Watford. Tottenham got rid of another hoodoo as they swept Manchester United aside in a 3-0 victory whilst Watford beat Crystal Palace 2-1. So, with both teams looking to maintain 100% starts to the season, will something give?
Life Without Richarlison v No New Faces
Watford would not have been a team seen as flying out of the blocks so quickly but with a full pre-season for Javi Gracia, his methods seem to be getting across to his players. They played high-pressing, fluid football against a Burnley team who are usually solid and hard to play against. Losing Richarlison was a blow to Watford but the likes of Etienne Capoue and Abdoulaye Doucoure still being at the club is a big plus. Ben Foster has joined the club – he had a loan spell with them over ten years ago and the squad look together so far. The results certainly show that in the early stages.
For Tottenham, all of the talk surrounded the transfer window and the lack of activity in it. Talk was of Spurs struggling to make the top four. What Pochettino did was keep his squad together, and the key word here is ‘his.’ The players he has could be argued to be one of the best first eleven’s in the Premier League. Harry Kane signed a new contract, as did the manager, and three wins out of three mean Spurs have started quicker than they sometimes do.
Spurs’ Statement of Intent
Pochettino had never won at Old Trafford as Spurs manager before Monday’s 3-0 win over the Red Devils. It was a statement of intent from Spurs and in the second half, they looked a solid and cohesive unit. Manchester United courted Toby Alderweireld in the summer and his performance against United showed why. Solid, dependable and a team player. Keeping Alderweireld at the club could yet prove to be Pochettino’s biggest masterstroke yet.
Hornet’s Nest
Watford will provide Spurs defence with a real test and won’t sit back, so this should be an entertaining and open game of football. As the cockerel flies into the Hornet’s nest, it will be an afternoon where one team’s hundred per cent record will go.
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