With the countdown on for the start of the 2022/23 Sky Bet Championship, we're getting to know the new opponents that we will face in the upcoming campaign.
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
2021/22: 19th in Premier League – 23 points
2020/21: 2nd in Championship – 91 points
2019/20: 19th in Premier League – 34 points
2018/19: 11th in Premier League – 50 points
2017/18: 14th in Premier League – 41 points
Manager – Rob Edwards
Newly appointed Watford manager Rob Edwards began his professional career at Aston Villa, where he made his Premier League debut.
In 2004, he joined Midlands rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers, where he spent four seasons in the Championship, before moving to Blackpool and Norwich, where he helped both sides gain promotion to the Premier League.
Rob retired in 2013 where he went swiftly into coaching positions, firstly with the Wolves Academy, leading the Under-18 and Under-23 teams and then in 2016, he also served as the temporary manager of the first team.
Edwards departed Wolves in 2019 to take up a 'prestigious role' as a coach with the England U20s at the Football Association. He was named Head Coach of England's under-16 squad on September 24, 2020.
He then secured his first role in management, taking the reins at Forest Green Rovers and his exciting style of play helped the team to win Sky Bet League Two for the first time in the club's history.
Watford confirmed in May 2022 that Rob would be Roy Hodgson’s successor.
Connections:
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: 17
Games lost: 42
Last Time We Met – Coventry 0-0 Watford, League Cup, 6 February 2020
An excellent performance against Watford secured the Sky Blues a well-deserved point at St. Andrew's.
City created chances in the game to try and come away with all three points, but just like Watford, neither side were able to break the deadlock.
Sky Blues Xl: Marko Marosi (GK), Julien Dacosta (Pask, 66’), Michael Rose, Leo Ostigard, Dom Hyam, Sam McCallum, Matty James (C), Gustavo Hamer (Gyokeres, 85’), Callum O'Hare (Shipley, 85’), Jamie Allen, Max Biamou.
Unused subs: Tom Billson (GK), Kyle McFadzean, Josh Eccles, Wesley Jobello, Will Bapaga, Fabio Tavares.
Fact:
Even though the Clubs nickname is the Hornets, they have a picture of a hart (deer) on their badge as this is an homage to Hertfordshire (where the club is located).