Having returned to the top flight for the first time in eight years, this season was always going to be interesting for Watford. As with any newly promoted side, survival was the main priority, although the clubs owners always maintained they expected a lot more than that from the season. The Hornets adapted to life in the Premier League quickly and smoothly and enjoyed a remarkable first half of the season. Quique Sanchez Flores' side were an incredible seventh in the table at the half way point, just three points off a place in the top four. As expected they fell away thereafter, but come the end of the season they finished a very respectable thirteenth in the table. They also enjoyed a run in the FA Cup and made it all the way to the semi final stage before a very poor performance led to their exit. Surprisingly, the club did not want to keep a hold of Flores for next season. Walter Mazzarri joined on a three year deal in the middle of May. Odion Ighalo and Troy Deeney were on fire as a strike partnership in the first half of the season but cooled down significantly after Christmas.
