Watford squad shaping up nicely

This time last year, pessimism surrounded Watford.

Yaser Asprilla and Ismail Kone had been sold for over £20m to balance the books and Hornets fans weren't ecstatic about the incomings.

The 2023-24 season had ended poorly with the club finishing 15th and expectations were low. Relegation fears were in the air among fans and pundits alike.

Twelve months on and there's a different feeling around Vicarage Road. The Hornets did better than expected under Tom Cleverley, who nevertheless paid the price for a poor second half of last season.

As it stands the two stars of the team have remained - Giorgi Chakvetadze and Kwadwo Baah - as well as some of the other solid performers from last season.

This summer, the signings have been more impressive and others are on their way. Whisper it very quietly, but the Watford squad is shaping up rather quite nicely.

The striker situation will be key this season.

Watford have tried Mileta Raovic, Daniel Jebbison and Vakoun Bayo in the past 12 months and all have fallen short in terms of their technical ability. Indeed the best of the lot has been the raw teenager Mamadou Doumbia, who could develop into a fine number nine with age, experience and good coaching.

Watford can't rely on him just yet which is why Vivaldo Semedo has been brought in and another is on his way too.

If the Hornets can get the right striker, he is sure to do well, feeding off the supplies of Chakvetadze, Baah, Rocco Vata and some of the other young wingers brought in/about to join.

Owner Gino Pozzo did say they were going to give it a go this season and so far he's been true to his word.

After a few years of low expectation, there's a bit of a buzz around Watford again and a sense that the team might just do well.

The prospects for a promotion challenge look far healthier now than they have done for a while.