{"id":216859,"date":"2018-08-31T10:27:34","date_gmt":"2018-08-31T14:27:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonfootball.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=216859"},"modified":"2018-08-31T10:28:26","modified_gmt":"2018-08-31T14:28:26","slug":"life-without-richarlison-watford-vs-spurs-preview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2018\/08\/31\/life-without-richarlison-watford-vs-spurs-preview\/","title":{"rendered":"Life Without Richarlison – Watford v Spurs Preview"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sunday 2nd September, Vicarage Road. Watford<\/a> v\u00a0Tottenham Hotspur<\/a>. Both Watford<\/a> and Tottenham<\/a> 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. \u00a0Tottenham got rid of another hoodoo as they swept Manchester United<\/a> 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?<\/p>\n

Life Without Richarlison v No New Faces<\/h1>\n

Watford would not have been a team seen as flying out of the blocks so quickly but with a full pre-season<\/a> 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\u00a0Doucoure still being at the club is a big plus. Ben Foster has joined the club –\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n

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\u00a0\u00a0was keep his squad together, and the key word here is \u2018his.\u2019 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.<\/p>\n

Spurs\u2019 Statement of Intent<\/h2>\n

Pochettino had never won at Old Trafford as Spurs manager before Monday\u2019s 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<\/a> at the club could yet prove to be Pochettino\u2019s biggest masterstroke yet.<\/p>\n

Hornet\u2019s Nest<\/h2>\n

Watford will provide Spurs defence with a real test and won\u2019t 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\u2019s hundred per cent record will go.<\/p>\n

Main Photo<\/p>\n

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Embed from Getty Images<\/a>