Watford

Watford are in talks with former England manager Roy Hodgson about succeeding the sacked Claudio Ranieri. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

Want more transfer news? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

Mike Parkin, From the Rookery End podcast, external

Here we go again.

After Watford’s almost impossibly bad performance against Norwich on Friday night, it comes as no surprise to us that Claudio Ranieri has left the club, but the question we’re all asking now is: where do we go from here?

As yet, there is no indication as to who the new head coach might be, but whoever it is will have a job on their hands. The team looked bereft of confidence and ideas in that dreadful defeat and the new man will be inheriting a squad all too used to losing - and losing badly.

There is also the question of the longer term. If head coaches are being dismissed at this rate, surely those doing the hiring need to take a look at the job they are doing?

If they were making smart appointments, then this constant churn shouldn’t be necessary.

Tell us what you think about what's going on at Vicarage Road

Image source, Getty Images

Watford have "lost their way a little bit" and "need a complete reset", according to Hornets supporter Jacob Culshaw from the WD18 fan channel.

"Sacking Claudio Ranieri was an inevitable decision," he told Tony Livesey on BBC Radio 5 Live Drive. "But it goes deeper than Ranieri.

"We've not had a clear plan for the last five years, in terms of recruitment or how we want to play and something needs to change.

"The Pozzo family have taken the club to the next level and done incredibly well at Watford - but we are able to say mistakes have been made along the way.

"We've lost our way and the club needs a complete reset."

Carl James from the Do Not Scratch Your Eyes podcast agreed, saying: "It's a culmination of poor policies at the club.

"It's getting to a point where this philosophy is backfiring."

Let us know what you think of the situation at Watford and who should be coming in to replace Ranieri

Image source, Getty Images

Stuart Brown, BBC principal data analyst

With Ranieri only managing a 16.67% win rate - the joint lowest in the Pozzo era (the other was Quique Sanchez Flores' ill-fated return), albeit with a tough run of fixtures in there, it was inevitable that Pozzo would pull the trigger.

What is harder to predict is who comes in next, with there being no clear pattern to previous appointments. Fans will be hoping it's someone capable of shoring up the leaky defence and bringing their xG Against higher than the current bottom of the table value of 38.2 (courtesy of fbref.com)

Who should come in to rescue Watford's season? Let us know here

Geoff Doyle, BBC Three Counties Radio

Most Watford fans were expecting an announcement over the weekend that their head coach had gone. But Claudio Ranieri remains in charge for the time being, although reports suggest his time is up.

The mid-season break gives the Watford hierarchy a bit more time to get their house in order. The Hornets' next match is 5 February, so if they are going to replace him, now is a good time to do it.

When the Watford board don’t like what they’re seeing on the pitch, a replacement coach is normally being lined up early on. Even before Friday’s embarrassment against Norwich City, Ranieri had lost 10 of 13 games. So the fact Watford haven’t announced Ranieri’s departure already is quite unusual.

His future is hanging by a thread after the horror show at home to the fellow strugglers. On an evening where the club’s greatest manager Graham Taylor was being remembered, the Hornets put in a shambles of a performance.

Norwich had scored just 10 goals in 21 Premier League games beforehand, yet managed to score three in 40-odd minutes against Watford. The result dropped the Hornets into the relegation zone for the first time, but it was the manner of the performance which annoyed supporters so much.

The players received most of the blame, as did Ranieri - but sporting director Cristiano Giaretta, chief executive Scott Duxbury and owner Gino Pozzo weren’t spared either.

This doesn’t seem to be just a coach issue. Since Javi Gracia left in September 2019, five coaches have tried to sort the mess out and failed (although at least Xisco Munoz won promotion from the Championship before he was discarded earlier this season).

Watford will need to try and get over the immediate hurdle of avoiding relegation first, but then surely will have to address what their long-term strategy is - because, at the moment, it has a short-term feel to it in all aspects.

Image source, Getty Images

• Watford are without a win in nine games in all competitions (D1 L8), their longest run without a victory since December 2013 (10).

• Norwich enjoyed their biggest margin of victory in a Premier League match since beating West Brom 4-0 in May 2013, and their biggest away from home in the division since September 1993, a 5-1 win at Everton.

• The Hornets have now gone 30 Premier League games without a clean sheet (since a 3-0 win v Liverpool in February 2020), with only West Brom enduring a longer such run in the history of the competition (34 in 2011).

• Dean Smith is the first Norwich manager to win back-to-back Premier League games with the club since Alex Neil in April 2016.

• Since the start of 2016-17, only Arsenal (19) have picked up more Premier League red cards than Watford (18).

• Aged 21 years and 335 days, Josh Sargent was the youngest player to score a brace in a Premier League match for Norwich since Dean Ashton v Crystal Palace in April 2005 (21y 143d).

Image source, Getty Images

Emma Sanders, BBC Sport

Josh Sargent's exuberant celebrations, echoed by the visiting Norwich supporters, showed how important this victory was to Dean Smith's side.

It is the first time this season Norwich have moved out of the bottom three, while defeat for Watford piles more pressure on manager Claudio Ranieri.

Norwich were most people's favourites to go down at Christmas but back-to-back wins over Everton and Watford have seen them shoot up the table from bottom to 17th in just over a week.

The relegation battle promises to continue as Burnley, now propping up the table, have four games in hand on Norwich, having had numerous games postponed because of Covid-19 cases and injuries.

Newcastle United also have games in hand but, with no side in the current bottom six winning more than five games this season, Norwich will be heavily boosted by their recent victories.

Ranieri's side still have two games in hand but it was an 11th defeat in 13 games during his Watford tenure, while Dennis' sending off means he will miss another crucial relegation battle with bottom side Burnley on 5 February.

The Canaries face a tough February, including games against Manchester City and Liverpool, but Watford are under pressure to bounce back against Burnley in their next match having already dropped points to relegation rivals Norwich and Newcastle in recent matches.

Watford boss Claudio Ranieri to BBC Sport: "Before I answer I want to say sorry to our fans because we wanted to do something better. We asked the players to light with fire and we can't lose this match, but after the goal we disappeared.

"Maybe we played better 10 v 11. It is very important the lesson Norwich gave us, they played as a team, we played as individuals. That is no good. Now I have to choose the players that want to fight hard for Watford. You have to play 11 v 11."

Claudio Ranieri makes four changes from the Watford side who drew with Newcastle.

Daniel Bachmann comes in for goalkeeper Ben Foster, who is not in the squad.

Tom Cleverley, Kiko Femenia and Christian Kabasele all start, while Jeremy Ngakia and Juraj Kucka drop to the bench. Craig Cathcart is not in the squad.

Watford XI: Bachmann, King, Cleverley, Pedro, Kamara, Sissoko, Femenia, Samir, Dennis, Kabasele, Kayembe.

Subs: Elliot, Ngakia, Sema, Fletcher, Tufan, Hernandez, Sierralta, Kucka, Morris.

Image source, BBC Sport

There is just one enforced change to the Norwich side from the 2-1 win over Everton which led to the sacking of Rafael Benitez.

Goalkeeper Tim Krul is ruled out with a shoulder injury so in comes Angus Gunn.

Kenny McLean is on the bench after recovering from coronavirus.

Norwich XI: Gunn, Aarons, Hanley, Gibson, Williams, Sorensen, Lees-Melou, Sargent, Idah, Pukki, Rashica.

Subs: McGovern, Byram, Dowell, Placheta, Kabak, Tzolis, McLean, Giannoulis, Rowe.

Image source, BBC Sport

Mark Lawrenson takes on singer and Chelsea fan Call Me Loop in the latest round of Premier League predictions.

Lawro's prediction: 2-1

This is probably the biggest game of the weekend, when you think about how much is riding on it.

Both teams ended six-game losing runs last weekend, with Norwich beating Everton and Watford drawing at Newcastle.

Norwich's win was the only victory any of the bottom four teams have managed between them in the 20 league games they have played in total since 4 December.

It lifted the Canaries up two places off the bottom of the table and shows how precious three points would be to both of these sides here.

The scenario will probably make it a very nervy match, with both teams afraid of making a mistake, but I think home advantage will help the Hornets edge it - just about.

Call Me Loop's prediction: Norwich will be feeling confident after beating Everton but I am not sure things will go their way this time. My best friend's dad and brother are Norwich fans so I am going to give them a goal, but I think Watford will take the three points. 2-1

Find out how Lawro and Call Me Loop think the rest of the weekend's fixtures will go

Geoff Doyle, BBC Three Counties Radio

Watford’s postponed game at Burnley on Tuesday has really helped out the Hornets. It’s meant they haven’t had to deal with three tense relegation matches in a week.

So they come into the huge game against Norwich having had nearly a week to prepare for it rather than days. Fans have been calling it the last of the three cup finals (two as it’s turned out). Six pointer has inevitably been used.

Certainly a win would give Watford some breathing space from the other three teams down the bottom. A defeat would put them into the bottom three for the first time this season.

The postponement will have helped the three new signings (Samir, Edo Kayembe and Hassane Kamara) adjust even more to their new team-mates and environment after impressing so much at Newcastle on their debuts. Claudio Ranieri emphasised their defensive importance this week: “The three new signings are very good. They have brought quality and experience; new strengths. We now have a very good block."

It also seems likely another signing will be in soon, with news that winger Samuel Kalu is set to join from Bordeaux. Watford have done well to act fast in the transfer window and it’s given fans more optimism they can survive in the Premier League. Expect to see some of the ‘deadwood’ exit the squad.

With Kiko Femenia and Ben Foster back from injury and others recovering well and close to returning to the squad, plus the Africa Cup of Nations players home soon, February should see Watford with a far better squad than they’ve had all season.

The future looks much brighter and now they need to act on that with results on the pitch. The Newcastle draw was a step in the right direction but it’s wins which will keep the Hornets up.

Image source, Getty Images

Mandeep Sanghera, BBC Sport

Liverpool defender Nathaniel Phillips is attracting interest from a number of clubs and is expected to leave the Anfield club in a permanent move in January.

The Reds value the 24-year-old at £15m and Watford have been linked with the centre-back.

The expected departure of Phillips was a factor in Rhys Williams returning from his loan spell at Swansea.

Phillips made 20 appearances, scoring once, for Liverpool last season as he helped them finish third in the Premier League and qualify for the Champions League.

However, he has had just three first-team outings this term. 

Watford have no new injury concerns for the visit of Norwich City, with the same squad available following the draw at Newcastle United.

Imran Louza, Adam Masina and William Troost-Ekong remain at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Norwich City goalkeeper Tim Krul has been ruled out with a shoulder injury.

Kenny McLean returns after he missed the win against Everton due to Covid-19, while Max Aarons and Brandon Williams are available.

Billy Gilmour, Mathias Normann, Lukas Rupp and Andrew Omobamidele should all be fit to face Wolves in the FA Cup on 5 February.

Who makes your Hornets XI for this crucial game?

The Canaries also need a win, so who are you picking?

Image source, Reuters

Mike Parkin, From the Rookery End podcast, external

Claudio Ranieri (perhaps understandably) tried to play down the importance of tonight’s game with Norwich, suggesting it’s a match that Watford must not lose.

I love Claudio, but on this one I think we disagree – this really does have the feel of a must-win fixture.

It was heartening to see our losing run brought to a halt on Saturday, a brilliant, late equaliser from Joao Pedro rescued a vital point, and the fact that we were able to battle our way to a draw in such a pressurised game is definite cause for optimism.

Equally pleasing was the way the three new recruits performed; Kamara, Samir and Kayembe all made impressive debuts and they’ll need to reproduce their form if we’re to get the three points tonight.

Norwich secured an eye-catching win of their own at the weekend and they have clearly improved under Dean Smith, so we’re not taking anything for granted, but this is a massive opportunity to kickstart our survival bid.

After an unexpected extra few days rest (Watford’s midweek trip to Burnley was postponed for a second time) there can be no excuses.

Is tonight's game a must-win or must-not-lose? Let us know over here

Image source, Getty Images

The twice postponed Burnley v Watford Premier League game has now been arranged for Saturday, 5 February at 18:00 GMT.

The match was initially due to be played in December but was postponed a couple of hours before kick-off due to Covid cases in the Watford camp.

It was then scheduled to be played on Tuesday, but this time was called off because of issues in the Burnley squad.

Image source, Getty Images

Former Watford and England goalkeeper David James spoke to BBC Radio 5 Live to give his thoughts on Watford v Norwich.

"I think Watford have failed to score eight times, Norwich 12 times …. so it’s going to be a cracking 0-0! Although, having said that, Watford haven’t kept a clean sheet this season.

"Norwich were completely out of it three weeks ago and now they’re one win off getting out of the relegation zone, so I think it’s going to be an exciting game."

He added: "Both teams have a chance of avoiding relegation, but so have four or five teams - as Everton could even be drawn into it. We're going to get an exciting end to the season at the bottom."

Image source, BBC Sport

Watford boss Claudio Ranieri has confirmed the club are working to sign 24-year-old Bordeaux winger Samuel Kalu for £3m, and are also interested in Liverpool defender Nathaniel Phillips, 24. (Evening Standard), external

Want more transfer news? Read Friday's full gossip column