WATFORD NEWS

Ranieri unfazed by Watford's reputation for changing coaches

Claudio Ranieri is fully aware of the precariousness of his latest job in the Premier League after becoming Watford’s 15th full-time manager in the last 10 years

OCTOBER 13, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Francisco Sierralta - Hopeful to train next week Sierralta (hamstring) is hopeful to return to light training next week.

Impact Sierralta will still miss the team's next two matches unless he recovers quicker than expected, which is rarely the case with a hamstring injury. The center-back has started three of seven matches this season, though a new manager could be favorable for him.

OCTOBER 13, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Joshua King - Back in training King (knee) returned to training this week and will be a late test for Saturday's match against Liverpool.

Impact This is a great sign for King, who originally had a two-week timeline a week ago. The hope is that he isn't returning too soon to impress the new manager. His question will be playing time in what is expected to be a new formation under Claudio Ranieri.

OCTOBER 13, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Ozan Tufan - Getting more minutes Tufan has played in each of the last two matches, starting and going 59 minutes in the loss against Leeds.

Impact Tufan doesn't have a ton of fantasy value outside of a couple random corners he's taken. Throw in a new manager and his role going forward will remain unclear in addition to an already limited fantasy skill set as more of a defensive midfielder.

OCTOBER 12, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Joshua King - Hopeful to return within two weeks King suffered a "minor ligament strain" last weekend and is pushing for a return within the fortnight.

Impact King has a chance to be ready for the Oct. 16 match against Liverpool, but with any muscle injury, it's not good to return when you're not 100 percent healthy. If he can get some training in before then, he'll be an option to start under Claudio Ranieri, but if not, Ken Sema is an option, among others.

OCTOBER 7, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Christian Kabasele - Out at least a month Kabasele will miss at least a month after injuring his hamstring this past weekend.

Impact Kabasele came off the bench last match because of Francisco Sierralta's injury and then he also injured his hamstring in the process. Kabasele hasn't started since August and it's unlikely he'll win a job under new manager Claudio Ranieri, especially after Watford just signed another center-back.

OCTOBER 7, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Francisco Sierralta - Expected out three weeks Sierralta is expected to miss about three more weeks after suffering a hamstring injury last weekend.

Impact This isn't too surprising for Sierralta, who was dropped from the Chile national team earlier in the week. The center-back has had a weird first two months, mainly because he's either started or completely missed the squad. Once ready to return, he'll have to win a job under new manager Claudio Ranieri.

OCTOBER 7, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Nicolas N`Koulou - Signs with Watford Nkoulou has signed a deal with Watford until the end of the current campaign.

Impact Claudio Ranieri and his assistants clearly had this move planned after signing with Watford, as they saw Nkoulou plenty at Torino, where he was a regular the past four seasons. He brings loads of top-league experience and should immediately fight for starts on the Watford back line.

OCTOBER 7, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Troy Deeney: How the chaos of Watford became normal, the Will Hughes situation and getting used to now flying economy Denney has finally left Watford after a number of near-departures. He looks back on his career there and ensuring he left amicably

OCTOBER 6, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Francisco Sierralta - Hamstring injury confirmed Sierralta will not play with Chile over the international break after his hamstring injury was confirmed by the national team.

Impact Sierralta could miss a couple matches with this injury unless it's only a tweak. A regular hamstring injury usually means about a month on the sideline. That being the case, Craig Cathcart will likely start if healthy, but Christian Kabasele is also an option to feature again.

OCTOBER 5, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Ranieri returns to the EPL at age 69 as Watford manager

Claudio Ranieri is back in the English Premier League after being hired by Watford

OCTOBER 4, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Munoz fired by Watford, 1st managerial exit of EPL season

Watford has fired Xisco Munoz

OCTOBER 3, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Juraj Kucka - Takes shot in loss Kucka took a shot and won three of six tackles in Saturday's 1-0 defeat against Leeds United. He also made a block and three clearances in the match.

Impact Kucka was solid in defensive midfield on Saturday, but he couldn't prevent Diego Llorente's difference-making goal for Leeds. After the international break he faces the challenge of Liverpool, which are undefeated through six games in the Premier League.

OCTOBER 2, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Emmanuel Dennis - Creates two chances against Leeds Dennis took a shot on target and created two chances in Saturday's 1-0 defeat against Leeds United. He also made a clearance and won one of one tackles in the match.

Impact Dennis was active in attack on Saturday but he couldn't find a way past Ilan Meslier and into the net for an equalizer. He has taken at least one shot on target in each of his last three Premier League appearances, and he will want to maintain that level of activity against Liverpool, which have conceded just four goals in six matches this season, after the international break.

OCTOBER 2, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Ben Foster - Concedes goal in loss Foster made two saves but conceded a goal in Saturday's 1-0 defeat against Leeds United.

Impact Foster was beaten by a Diego Llorente strike on Saturday as his side couldn't get a result against a struggling Leeds side. It won't get any easier after the international break against Watford, though Daniel Bachmann will likely be fit enough to return to the lineup by then.

OCTOBER 2, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Leeds exhales with 1-0 victory over Watford in EPL

Leeds has held on for its first victory of the Premier League season after defender Diego Llorente scored early in the 1-0 win over Watford

OCTOBER 2, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Francisco Sierralta - Leaves injured Saturday Sierralta was forced off in the second half of Saturday's match against Leeds because of injury.

Impact Sierralta was getting the start for the injury Craig Cathcart and then he went down in the second half Saturday. Christian Kabasele came on Saturday and could be asked to start in two weeks if neither of the injured center-backs is healthy enough to start.

OCTOBER 2, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Joshua King - Leaves injured Saturday King was forced off before the break in Saturday's match against Leeds with an injury.

Impact King had gone a full 90 in the prior two matches, assisting in both contests. He's started each of the last five matches for Watford, but if he can't recover over the break, he'll have to be replaced in the XI with Cucho Hernandez and Ken Sema possible options to take his spot

OCTOBER 2, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Craig Cathcart - Misses Leeds match Cathcart is not in the squad for Saturday's match against Leeds because of injury.

Impact Cathcart misses out Saturday after suffering an unknown injury in training. Francisco Sierralta is back in the starting XI against Leeds after Cathcart started at center-back each of the last two matches.

OCTOBER 2, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Daniel Bachmann - Returns to bench Bachmann (knee) is on the bench for Saturday's match against Leeds.

Impact Bachmann is back in the squad Saturday, but he's on the bench, and for now, it looks like he's the No. 2 behind Ben Foster. This isn't a set role for him, as those two will likely fight for starts all season now that both are healthy.

OCTOBER 2, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Gray, Lowe join Antonio on Jamaica roster in qualifier vs US

Forwards Andre Gray of Queens Park Rangers and Jamal Lowe of Bournemouth are on Jamaica’s roster announced for next week’s World Cup qualifier at the United States after settling w...

SEPTEMBER 30, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Liverpool's Salah battles Ronaldo and Sarr for Premier League prize ' Goal.com Mohamed Salah and Ismaila Sarr have been shortlisted for the best player in the Premier League for the month under review.

SEPTEMBER 30, 2021 • GOAL.COM

Daniel Bachmann - Back in full training Bachmann (knee) has trained in full this week and is available for Saturday's match against Leeds.

Impact Bachmann is an option again, but it's unknown if he'll win back the starting job for Watford. His injury coincided with the return of Ben Foster, so it's unclear who the No. 1 is for Watford at the moment.

SEPTEMBER 30, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Tom Cleverley - Available against Leeds Cleverley (head) did not suffer a concussion after receiving a blow to the head last match and is available for Saturday's trip to Leeds.

Impact This is a positive sign for Cleverley, who was forced off at the break last week. He's started the last two matches and may get the call again at Leeds, having produced nine corners in those two starts.

SEPTEMBER 30, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Oghenekaro Etebo - Out 4-5 months Etebo tore a quad muscle last weekend and is expected to miss four-to-five months, according to the team.

Impact It's a brutal injury for Etebo, who started the first four matches of the season. While he was benched in the last two, his absence definitely hurts the depth for Watford in their midfield, though they added Moussa Sissoko, Ozan Tufan and Juraj Kucka the last couple months. As for Etebo, he'll likely be out until at least January.

SEPTEMBER 30, 2021 • ROTOWIRE