Only a single win in the opening 17 rounds and the sacking of 3 managers during the campaign were amongst the main reasons why Watford suffered relegation. Releasing Javi Garcia after just 4 games was strange, but it was even stranger that his replacement Flores was given just 10 games before he was sacked too. Pearson was next at the helm, with Watford bottom and 6 points adrift from safety when he came in.
Under him at least the home results improved and the Hornets even exited the relegation zone before again slumping into mediocrity in July. This saw Pearson also sacked with just 2 rounds left. Without a fighting chance of survival 2 more defeats followed in their final games.
The form at home was the team’s main strength and undoubtedly the most memorable game of this season was the 3:0 home win vs champions Liverpool in late February. Individually Doucoure, captain Deeney and, up until his serious injury in February, Deulofeu were the best players this season.
An inability to defend set pieces and unfocused starts to matches were reasons for their struggles - Watford conceded 17 goals inside the opening 20 minutes of games. There was no unity in the squad with captain Deeney hardly giving an example when refusing to get back to training during the COVID-break due to safety reasons.
Of the 4 managers that were in charge during the campaign, Pearson achieved the best results, but he showed poor management at dealing with the COVID-break and after the restart Watford were mere shadows of themselves.
The Italian owners are now eager to sell the most valuable players, with reports that they might move all of their investments out of England due to Brexit concerns intensifying. All this suggests turbulent times for the Hornets and possible new ownership.
