{"id":7271,"date":"2017-09-05T13:54:41","date_gmt":"2017-09-05T17:54:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonfootball.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=7271"},"modified":"2017-09-06T22:06:12","modified_gmt":"2017-09-07T02:06:12","slug":"watford-august-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2017\/09\/05\/watford-august-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Watford August Review"},"content":{"rendered":"

The first month of the 2017-18 Premier League season was a good one for Watford. New head coach, Marco Silva, <\/a>oversaw an unbeaten\u00a0record of\u00a0one win and\u00a0two draws. The five-point haul is greater than their opening fixtures in the last\u00a0two seasons combined, whilst the victory over Bournemouth marked their first\u00a0win in August in the top flight\u00a0since 1999.<\/p>\n

Familiar League Cup Woes<\/h3>\n

Despite the league success, the results were not all positive, as the familiar early-round League Cup run of defeats continued. Watford were beaten 3-2 at home by Championship side Bristol City. The hosts were eliminated at the second round stage by a lower-league team for the fourth successive season. Silva did make six changes to his line-up, but Bristol City\u2019s manager, former-Hornets trainee Lee Johnson, made\u00a0nine changes to his.<\/p>\n

Poor Discipline<\/h3>\n

The poor disciplinary record continued into the new campaign as Jos\u00e9 Holebas was dismissed for\u00a0two yellow cards against Bristol City, while Miguel Britos was given his marching orders for a horror tackle against Brighton<\/a>; his third dismissal in eleven league\u00a0matches at\u00a0Vicarage Road.\u00a0Holebas was banned for the match against the Seagulls, while Britos will serve a\u00a0three-match ban in September.<\/p>\n

August Transfers<\/h3>\n

The final few weeks of the summer transfer window brought a hive of activity from Watford\u2019s recruitment team. Owner Gino Pozzo smashed the club\u2019s transfer record with the \u00a318.5million signing of Andr\u00e9 Gray from Burley, whilst Brazilian youngster Richarlison <\/a>joined the club from Fluminese and has made a very bright start to his Premier League career. On the right side of attack, Andre Carillo signed on a one-year loan from Benfica.<\/p>\n

On deadline day, business relations with sister club, Udinese, were renewed. Experienced Greece goalkeeper Orestis Karnezis will take up a reserve role behind Heurelho Gomes, whilst Molla Wague joins the injury-plagued central defensive corps. The Malian international already tasted English football with Leicester City last term, albeit very briefly. Dutch left-back Marvin Zeegelaar moved from Sporting Lisbon for \u20ac3 million, providing much-needed cover for Holebas.<\/p>\n

Passing through the exit door, Nordin Amrabat completed a one-year loan move to La Liga side Leganes. Costel Pantilimon joins Amrabat in Spain, transferring to Deportivo La Coruna on loan. As expected, Valon Behrami moved to Udinese, having not been given a squad number. Jerome Sinclair\u2019s loan move to Sheffield United fell through.<\/p>\n

Record EFL Fine<\/h3>\n

Watford received a record fine of \u00a33.95 million plus \u00a3350,000 costs by the Football League after the club were found guilty of supplying a falsified bank statement. The document was provided by former chairman Raffaele Riva to provide evidence of new owner Gino Pozzo\u2019s ability to bankroll the club in 2014. The EFL found that Riva was the only current employee of the club\u00a0who was aware of the forgery.<\/p>\n

The Telegraph obtained a copy of the bank document<\/a> in October 2016. Riva resigned a week after the story hit the news, and faces separate disciplinary proceedings. The EFL found no evidence that Pozzo was unable to\u00a0fund the club.<\/p>\n

Chalobah\u2019s England Call-Up<\/h3>\n

Summer signing Nathaniel Chalobah became the first Watford player since John Barnes to receive a full England international call-up. The former Chelsea midfielder accepted an invitation to join Gareth Southgate\u2019s Three Lions for their World Cup qualifying fixtures against Malta and Slovakia. He has made an impressive start to his second\u00a0spell at the club\u00a0at the base of midfield.<\/p>\n

Upcoming Fixtures<\/h3>\n

In September, Watford face three away fixtures against Southampton, Swansea and West Bromwich Albion. Marco Silva\u2019s side host Pep Guardiola\u2019s\u00a0Manchester City\u00a0at Vicarage Road on the 16th September.<\/p>\n

Main Photo
\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>