Ipswich Town defeated Watford 2-0 , which saw the Tractor Boys remain in 3rd whilst the Hornets dropped to 12th place. Goals from Walle Egeli and George Hirst were enough to see the hosts out, despite a late scare where Watford could have halved the deficit from the spot, but it was saved. Team Selection Edward […]
Ipswich Town defeated Watford 2-0 , which saw the Tractor Boys remain in 3rd whilst the Hornets dropped to 12th place.
Goals from Walle Egeli and George Hirst were enough to see the hosts out, despite a late scare where Watford could have halved the deficit from the spot, but it was saved.
Edward Still made three changes to his Watford side, with Jeremy Ngakia, Saba Goglichidze, Othmane Maamma and Edo Kayembe all dropping out.
The Englishman made the bold claim to switch to a 3-4-2-1 from a 4-2-3-1, which was successful against Derby County.
The first change saw Giorgi Chakvetadze replace Edo Kayembe in the side, after impressing off the bench following an early substitution with a match rating of 7.3.
The Georgian didn’t offer much in the first half and was ultimately replaced by Edoardo Bove at the interval.
Jeremy Petris came in for his first league start since the 7th of November against Bristol City.
It was definitely a risk for a player who hasn’t featured since late last year to be in right from the off. It was ultimately the wrong decision again, as he was also replaced at the break.
Poor choices in those instances could have cost an all-but-necessary point or victory.
The Hornets suffered a hammer blow with Max Alleyne’s recall to Manchester City in early January following the injury to Josko Gvardiol.
The Englishman made 16 appearances for Watford with an average match rating of 7.1, with three clean sheets and only 14 goals conceded whilst he was on the pitch.
However, Stephen Mfuni has come into the side and made a real impact.
In his last five matches, he has an average match rating of 7.1, just edging Max Alleyne’s average rating. He has won 76% of his duels so far, as well as an average of three recoveries per match.
Despite Ipswich being on the front foot in the first half, Mfuni made three clearances and one key tackle that stopped Ipswich from having a goalscoring opportunity.
The 18-year-old claimed Watford’s MOTM on FotMob, with a 7.1 rating: one last defender tackle, two recoveries, six clearances, and one crucial block.
The young defender has slotted well in this Watford side and has made a real impact.
Louza has dropped off in form since the start of the new year.
Only one goal contribution since Boxing Day, with an assist at Deepdale, he has not been the player who shone at the start of the season.
The Moroccan only managed a 6.5 match rating this evening with 76 touches. He only contributed seven passes in the final third and looked sluggish with the ball at his feet.
Louza has been a very influential player for the Hornets this season with seven goals and six assists. Ultimately, his drop off in form has cost Watford results in recent times.
Watford host Bristol City in a key clash on Friday evening, with a chance to revive their fading play-off hopes at Ashton Gate and close the gap on Wrexham.
