Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
TOO LOW FOR ZERO
Cathcart: Hornets did not deserve the drop and promotion proves it
WATFORD are returning to the Premier League still fuelled by a sense of injustice at their relegation less than 12 months ago.
The Hornets had just beaten title-winners Liverpool when they were stopped in their tracks by Covid and eventually went down last July after a dismal finish following the resumption.
Now they are back thanks to an outstanding campaign – but defender Craig Cathcart (below) still can not forget the past.
He said: “There’s a point to prove after the way we were relegated last season.
“It was strange the way the last Premier League season stopped – I think we probably would have stayed up if it had been a normal year.
“This season wasn’t easy. To bounce back straight away is a big credit to everybody at the club.
“I think next season is going to be massive for us. We know how difficult the Premier League is. We will enjoy promotion for now, and next season we need to start really well.
“We had a difficult start last year and it was hard to claw it back. But we were unlucky to go down.
“It’s been a massive miss not having fans, especially with the successful year we’ve had.
“Fans change the dynamic of the game. They are going to be key in the Premier League.”
Watford rounded off their season with this comfortable win against Swansea, thanks to a 56th-minute Andre Gray effort that he knew little about, followed by a spectacular Isaac Success finish three minutes from time.
Xisco Munoz’s side have relied on a solid defence to win promotion, keeping clean sheets in seven straight home wins at the end of the season.
And Cathcart added: “There is quality all through the team.
“But the depth we have at the back will be a big help next season because it will be a different league and obviously a big step up in the levels.”
Swansea now take on Barnsley in the play-offs, starting next Monday, and they have not lost to the Tykes since the 2006 League One play-off final.
Key striker Andre Ayew came through 65 minutes following a hamstring problem, although there was a heart-stopping moment for Steve Cooper when he went down in the first half.
But the Swans boss said: “He needed the minutes. He was desperate to play. It was the right thing, but he’s OK.
“Our record against Barnsley means nothing. It will be tough, everyone is in the mix, but we’ll back ourselves.”
WATFORD: Foster 7, Navarro 6, Kabasele 7, Cathcart 7, Lazaar 6, Sanchez 5 (Pedro 65, 6), Gosling 7 (Wilmot 82), Zinckernagel 7 (Hughes 65, 7), Success 7, Gray 7 (Deeney 72), Sema 7 (Masina 82)
SWANSEA: Woodman 7, Roberts 6, Bennett 7, Guehi 6, Bidwell 7, Fulton 6, Grimes 7 (Smith 66, 6), Hourihane 7 (Whittaker 77, 5), Ayew 6 (O Cooper 65, 6), Lowe 6 (Dhanda 66, 6), Cullen 6 (Routledge 66, 6)
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