Football Season Review

A season that promised so much ended in utter despair for Gianfranco Zola's Watford, as they failed at the final hurdle in their bid for promotion to the Premier League promised land. The Hornets missed out on automatic promotion on the final day of the normal league campaign, but inched their way into the playoff final to face London neighbours, Crystal Palace. However, Watford old-boy, Kevin Phillips struck in first half extra time from the penalty spot to seal a narrow Wembley win for Palace, leaving Zola to rebuild his squad to go again in 2013-14. Watford utilised the international loan market well, taking advantage of connections with links to Granada and Udinese - two clubs both owned by Watford's owners, the Pozzo family. The finishing abilities of Matej Vydra complemented superbly with Troy Deeney, who was available again after serving a short-term prison sentence. Zola's preferred 3-5-2 system gave a midfield trio of Jonathan Hogg, Almen Abdi and loanee Nathaniel Chalobah licence to roam and create. Chalobah showed tremendous maturity throughout the season for one so young and the England youth international has great potential to make it at Chelsea. Meanwhile Abdi's combined goal threat and creativity makes him the stand-out candidate for Player of the Season. With 12 goals in 40 games his performances underpinned Watford's impressive year. However, failure to achieve promotion and a summer transfer embargo leaves Zola's plans very much up in the air at present.

Player of the Season: Almen Abdi