Burnley v Watford

Article by Watford Correspondent Christopher Lawton

Watford head to Burnley tonight on the back of a sorrowful run of form. Saturday's abject defeat at home to Yeovil has left Hornet fans wondering what has become of the season. Those woes are magnified by a trip to Turf Moor. Not because of the prospect of a tough encounter, but because of comparison between the two managers.

Some eighteen months ago the Pozzo family bought Watford and replaced the likeable, workmanlike Sean Dyche with Gianfranco Zola. Despite his success of last season Zola's star is no longer in the ascendancy and as Watford's fortunes wane many fans wonder if retaining Dyche, now in charge at a high flying Burnley, might have been the better option.

Maybe. But then it was never an option. The Pozzo family took over Watford with a vision and a purpose and looked to Zola to deliver. For them Dyche was a non-starter.

None of that, however, should hide for Watford's troubles. Despite scoring 27 goals this season that statistic is very misleading with 14 of those goals coming in just three matches. Saturday saw a team struggle to convert chances and then allow momentary lapses to be punished by an organised and effective opposition.

The hope for Watford is that while they are making chances they will begin to find the net again - and soon. Burnely could make the perfect opposition - a side at the top that will need to push on for a win if they want to keep in the running for the automatic spots. While lacking the upfront pace of Vydra from last season, Watford have enough skill in the side that might allow them to sneak at least a draw on the break.

What is clear, however, is that with a tough trip to Leeds on Saturday, Watford cannot afford another no show in front of goal tonight.

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