Watford v Derby County 24/8/24
In rain falling with the persistence of a particularly egregious hangover, Daniel Bachmann was already remonstrating with his defenders.
The goal was unnervingly simple. From a throw in left back Yasser Larouci was easily bypassed, the ball then centred for Ebou Adams to volley home.
In response Watford prodded and probed, feinted this way and that. They shifted the ball around, went sideways and backwards but this was not the stale negativity unwittingly perfected under Valerian Ismael.
Tom Cleverley’s side moved the ball with purpose. Chances were few, but their belief didn’t ebb.
The equaliser, when it came, was disarmingly direct. Mattie Pollock sent a teasing long lofted diagonal ball which was met by Udinese’s Vakoun Bayo, who leapt acrobatically to scissor kick the ball beyond a flailing Widell Zettersrom.
Sold just a few days earlier, Bayo was immediately loaned back from Udinese to Watford in a deal where money moves but the player stays put.
The arrangement has echoes of Hassane Kamara’s transfer a couple of seasons ago. The Ivorian’s move raised a fair few eyebrows back then, prompting an EFL investigation.
Loanees Antonio Tikvic and Festy Ebosele are only the latest players to board the Pozzo express that shuttles between Hertfordshire and North Eastern Italy.
In a rare interview the seldom heard Watford CEO Scott Duxbury insisted that such deals were always to the benefit of the Hornets. Words that he is unlikely to repeat to an Udinese ultra anytime soon.
Shortly before half time tempers flared in a melee by the dugouts. A red card flashed and Rams assistant manager Richie Barker walked.
The second half was greeted by sunshine and an expectant crowd. The newly promoted Rams were obstinate in defence, and proved to be a stodgy proposition for the home side.
Both Adams and Bayo had opportunities to double their tallies. Adam’s effort narrowly cleared the crossbar while Bayo’s attempt from a deflected cross was also headed over.
The winning goal came on seventy five minutes. The lively Kwadwo Baah bustled his way to the goal line before pulling the ball back to the effervescent Giorgi Chakvetadze. His shot was blocked, the ball falling to the feet of Moussa Sissoko. The frenchman deftly stabbed the ball home with precision and just enough pace.
Fan sentiment for Sissoko’s return to Vicarage Road was at best luke warm, yet Cleverley has been clear that he values Moussa’s experience and drive. Against Derby the midfielder dominated with a relentless efficiency.
Angelo Ogbonna ís another veteran to swell the Hornets ranks this transfer window. His presence could prove pivotal in light of the late departure of Wesley Hoedt to the lucrative sports washing magnet of Saudi Arabia.
When coupled with Yaser Asprilla’s exit to City Football Group’s Girona, some may regard simultaneously losing your player and young player of the year as careless. Adding the previous season’s top scorer to the bodies in the departure lounge reeks of recklessness. Unless, of course, that striker happens to be Mileta Rajovic.
The hard working Dane came on in the 84th minute, his final cameo before being loaned to Brondby. There is no option to buy for the Danish club, and Cleverley insists that the move is “a development plan, not an exit plan”.
A relatively soft slate of opening fixtures for Watford came to an abrupt halt in a feisty defeat by a single goal to Sheffield United. Yet as we reach the international break the mood in the Hornets camp remains positive. Next up, Coventry at home.
