Goodison Tactics: Three ways Everton can cause Watford problems
Everton face Watford in the Premier League today, and Claudio Ranieri’s reign got off to the worst possible start.
The Italian was in charge last weekend as the Hornets were crushed 5-0 by Liverpool, and it looks as if they have a lot of improving to do.
Watford got nowhere near the Reds, and the Toffees should take great encouragement from this, and there are many areas in which Rafael Benitez’s side can exploit the Hornets.
WhoScored claim that Watford are weak at defending set-pieces, weak at stopping individual errors and ineffective at stopping through balls.
So there are just three areas in which the Toffees can profit, and they have conceded at least one goal this season due to each of these reasons.
The first goal we are going to look at came in Watford’s 2-0 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers.
This is a dreadful own goal, and it is so avoidable from Watford’s point of view.
If he had a shout from one of his teammates, then he probably could adjust his body.
However, it is a comical own goal and is a huge individual mistake and an example of the Hornets being unable to defend set-pieces.
Now the next goal is another example of how bad Watford are at defending set-pieces and includes another individual error.
Once again, this is a very avoidable goal from Watford’s point of view.
Longstaff has too much time on the edge from another short corner, and then Foster should probably save his shot.
The final goal we are going to look at is Sadio Mane’s from last weekend’s game.
Now, admittedly, the through ball from Salah to Mane was ridiculous, but the defending is still awful.
Now, having looked at these goals, we would say that Everton, even without Abdoulaye Doucoure, should have more than enough to beat Watford.
If they can play short corners and quick incisive through balls, this should be a very easy game for Benitez’s side.
In other Everton news, a Watford Super Fan has made their prediction on the game today.
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