Pezzolano’s plans start to take shape at Vicarage Road

Watford fans are starting to see Paolo Pezzolano’s ideas unfold as another win at Vicarage Road is the final send-off into the abyss of a new Championship season.

Much to the surprise of many, Pezzolano is a decorated manager having brought three promotions in three different countries with him to Hertfordshire. One of his highest regarded achievements is guiding Real Valladolid back to La Liga.

The 42-year-old Uruguayan is commonly noted for his tactical detail, and throughout the Hornets’ pre-season he has been demanding a high work rate out of his eleven players on the pitch.

With former manager Tom Cleverley experiencing heavy criticism regarding player attitudes and the lethargic nature of an unexciting side as well as a low work rate being accepted.

Towards the end of Cleverley’s reign as manager, the side derailed in what could have been a really positive campaign with the team in the play-off spots early on.

However, the Hornets achieved just one win in the Englishman’s last nine games at the helm.

Adding further embarrassment, four of the sides that hindered the Cleverley era finished below Watford when the season ended (Oxford United, Plymouth Argyle, Hull City and Portsmouth).

BRISTOL, ENGLAND – APRIL 05: Tom Cleverley, Manager of Watford FC looks on during the Sky Bet Championship match between Bristol City FC and Watford FC at Ashton Gate on April 05, 2025 in Bristol, England. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

What looks to be a fresh side is accompanied by a touchline manager.

The new boss is persistent in his demand for a high press, a quick ball recovery and the ability to launch meaningful attacks through formations that adapt throughout the game.

This was highlighted in Watford’s last pre-season match against Deportivo de La Coruña when the games only goal came about after the ball was fiercely won back on the left hand side through a commonly deployed high press. This led t0 academy graduate Jack Grieves scoring the first goal for the new manager.

It’s common knowledge that Pezzolano has a mammoth task ahead. The Championship has always provided spectacle for fans, but this time the owners’ ambitions point towards a Premier League return through a highly decorated transfer window.

One of the many new recruits is highly rated young winger, Nestory Irankunda, who was signed for three million Euros. But no manager since the promotion season of 2021 – when Xisco was in charge – has managed a managerial win rate of 69%.

The classic 4-3-3 deployed at Watford so commonly under Cleverley looks the likely formation to start games under the new management; however, in the pre-season match versus Deportivo, the 4-4-2 was frequently used in the high press as well as the 5-4-1 towards the end of the first half.

Barcelona’s German coach Hans-Dieter Flick greets Real Valladolid’s Uruguayan coach Paulo Pezzolano prior the Spanish league football match between FC Barcelona and Real Valladolid FC at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in Barcelona on August 31, 2024. (Photo by MANU QUINTERO / AFP) (Photo by MANU QUINTERO/AFP via Getty Images)

Baah and Rocco Vata have the potential to turn Vicarage Road into their playground through their electric pace and undeniable skill, but the wing-backs, especially Ryan Andrews, were often seen further forward on the breakaway looking to play the ball across the six-yard box.

The high quality in the Championship is improving every season, but with the relegated clubs from the top flight often causing a stir for a bounce-back promotion, Pezzolano’s top-flight record comes into question.

After securing promotion to La Liga with Real Valladolid, the 4-3-3 led to an opening day victory and a win in the cup, however, with a 4-1-4-1 formation versus Catalan giants Barcelona they conceded seven goals and conceded a further five against Atletico Madrid.

Without becoming complacent, the new Watford manager’s top-flight record may not be the shiniest; however, his ability to turn second division sides into winners has shown. His track record shows he can make a stamp on the Championship, and return Watford to a Premier League club again.