VIEW FROM THE STANDS

Last season was bewildering and successful in equal measure.

The big talking point among the

fans is adding quality over quantity, with a proven goalscorer the most obvious gap to fill. The future of Troy Deeney is a constant talking point. This season will be different to

last because we’ll miss the rhythm of the Saturday- Tuesday grind that we enjoyed in the Championship.

I’ve really missed the explosion of noise in the ground when Watford score and the emotional connection between fans and players.

Instead of going to the football last season I listened to a lot more podcasts about football ( Set Piece Menu being my favourite). I won’t be happy unless Watford beat a top- six team ( although it’ll never be Manchester City). Our most underrated player is

Kiko Femenia, whose partnership with Ismaila Sarr on the right won many matches last season.

Look out for Tom Dele- Bashiru, an exciting young midfielder coming back from injury who could be an under- the- radar star.

The opposition player I secretly

admire is Kieran Tierney: a classy and clever player who would get in every Premier League team. The one change I’d make would be to make kids’ shirts cheaper.

The best thing about matchday at Watford is the opening bars of Z Cars as the teams leave the tunnel. Our key player will be Sarr, a real match- winner who could play for a top- four side. I’m still amazed he played in the Championship for an entire season.

We’ll finish 17th.