Why Watford must give on-loan man another chance to flourish
Published:
One win in the last four games has seen Watford’s Premier League form stall following their impressive victory over Manchester United.
With Walter Mazzarri’s men struggling to dominate games in the middle of the park, the idea of fielding a classy, tough-tackling midfielder currently tearing up La Liga would sound like music to Hornets fans’ ears. So why have they loaned out Mario Suarez?
The stats certainly suggest Watford should have stuck with the defensive midfielder. Suarez has netted three times in his last four games on loan at Valencia, including a pair of thunderous strikes away at Sporting Gijon.
A hugely talented and tricky player on the ball, Suarez is second-to-none in his ability to win back possession, fend off defenders and create attacks. Those attributes would make him the perfect foil for the Hornets all-action Etienne Capoue, who is dynamic but lacks the intelligent build-up play of Suarez.
And with Mazzarri favouring a defensive-midfield duo, Watford wouldn’t have to change their system to reintegrate the exiled Spain international.
That he featured for La Furia Roja in three successive years (2013-15) under legendary coach Vicente Del Bosque tells you how highly-rated the 29-year-old is.
Having also starred as Atletico Madrid won La Liga back in 2013-14, he has plenty of experience excelling in the biggest games.
Those facts put him in stark contrast with Capoue’s current holding-midfield partner Valon Behrami having failed to find the net in 31 games since his move to Hertfordshire, while he’s provided a solitary assist during that period. And he lacks the trophy-winning pedigree of the loanee.
With Mazzarri’s men having netted just three times in their last four games, and winning just 28 per cent of tackles at Swansea City on the weekend, they’re crying out for a player with Suarez’s qualities.
The sooner they can recall him, the better.
Watford host Hull City on Saturday, with 3/4 for home side to taste victory, while 11/2 says they beat the Tigers 1-0 for the second time in succession.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
