Southampton welcome The Hornets this weekend in what is likely to be a cagey affair for the home side – having lost 6-1 at the hands of Manchester City on their last match day, they will be looking to show a swift response to please fans at St. Mary’s.
This couldn’t be more said for Mark Hughes, the current Southampton manager’s charm has started to fade of late following a very poor start to the season that has seen only one win in the opening 11 games of the current Premier League campaign – arguably relegation form.
Funny enough, it wasn’t too long ago that many were pleading with the club to offer him a new contract down south – with his appointment back in March only an ‘end-to-the-season’ deal, in keeping Southampton up he was rewarded with a longer stay, to which might be a mistake when evaluated upon now.
The embarrassing 6-1 drumming at the hands of Pep Guardiola’s Citizens has only provided more fuel to this view, to now which gaining any type of result against Watford is an absolute must before Southampton fans lose all patience with Hughes and the club itself – which is already wearing thin.
This won’t be any easy feat however, Javi Garcia’s men currently sit 8th in the Premier League after an impressive start to their campaign saw them in the top four after five games – defeat to Saints could see them drop as low as 10th and therefore the Hertfordshire club will be looking to at least come away with a draw – so which players could cause Hughes’ men problems?