In our final piece of this seasons getting to know series we take a trip down to Watford and look at Vladimir Ivić’s Hornets….
Stadium: Vicarage Road
Capacity: 22,200
Year Formed: 1881
Nickname: The Hornets
Most League Appearance: Luther Blissett - 503
Most league Goals: Luther Blissett – 186
Record League Win: 8-0 v Sunderland AFC – First Division (25 September 1982)
Record League Defeat: 8-0 v Manchester City – Premier League (21 September 2019)
Last Five Years
2019/20: 19th in Premier League – 34 points
2018/19: 11th in Premier League – 50 points
2017/18: 14th in Premier League – 41 points
2016/17: 17th in Premier League – 40 points
2015/16: 13th in Premier League – 45 points
Manager – Vladimir Ivić
Newly appointed Watford manager Ivić spent much of his playing career representing Serbian side Partizan, appearing over 150 times and winning 3 league titles.
After an unsuccessful spell with German side Borussia Monchengladbach he moved to Greek side PAOK where he would retire and start his management career with the clubs youth side, taking them to the league title in his first year in the role, before going on to take the first team to the Greek Cup before his departure.
Following his departure, he took charge of Maccabi Tel Aviv and in his two years at the club he led them to two national titles, losing only two games across the two campaigns.
Ivić later left the club in 2020 to take on the vacant position at Watford.
Squad:
Relegation last season ended of a turbulent time in the England’s topflight, with the highs and lows of reaching the FA Cup final relatively fresh in the memories of Hornet fans and players alike.
Ben Foster an ever present in goal for the Hornets remains at the club with stalwarts along with Craig Cathcart and Kabasele still in front.
The retention of young starlet Ismaïla Sarr will be key to the promotion as they hope he can fire them back to the big time.
Connections:
Other notable names to have connections between the two clubs through either playing or as part of management are Marlon King, Brandon Mason, John Eustace, Michael Folovi, Aidy Bothroyd, Darius Henderson, Rob Page, Tim Sherwood, Al Bangura, Marvin Sordell and Kevin Richardson.
Coventry v Watford Head-to-Head:
Games won: 36
Games drawn: 16
Games lost: 41
Last Time We Met – Watford 3-0 Coventry, League Cup, 27 August 2019
The Sky Blues were knocked out of the Carabao Cup in the second round, after a disappointing defeat at Vicarage road to Premier League side Watford.
Team: Ben Wilson, Fankaty Dabo, Michael Rose, Dominic Hyam, Brandon Mason (46’ McCallum), Josh Eccles (64’ Shipley), Liam Kelly, Callum O’Hare, Gervane Kastaneer (61’ Godden), Amadou Bakayoko, Jordy Hiwula
Subs: Marko Marosi, Kyle McFadzean, Wesley Jobello, Zain Westbrooke,
Fact:
Even though the Clubs nickname is the Hornets, they have a picture of a hart (deer) on their badge as this is homage to Hertfordshire (where the club is located).
Watford’s 6-0 loss in the 2019 FA Cup Final against Manchester City is the joint largest losing margin in the competition’s history.