Why Watford Were Right To Part Ways With Marco Silva

Right then. An article I never thought of writing in November. Marco Silva originally blew away all the cobwebs from the disconnected Walter Mazzarri season, picking up 15 points from 24, including games against Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City. All was rosy, we even got robbed against Chelsea away, although, what we saw that day was a reoccurring problem.

In this article, I will explain why it was the right decision to sack Marco Silva. If you are a neutral fan reading this bemused, I recommend reading on to why this decision has come about.

 

Game Management

First issue Watford fans became aware of is Marco Silva’s game management, or lack of it. Yes he was to fault for the loss at Chelsea, however, we had done so well and had Richarlison score *that* chance – he would have been praised. Anyway, Chelsea have the quality to do that against teams, we move on with our heads held high… until two weeks later when we embarrassingly capitulated when being 2-0 up with 25 minutes to go against a struggling Everton side. 3-2 loss. A missed penalty in the last minute. A sign that Silva has not got the bottle or the game management to see out games.

This then reoccurred against Crystal Palace in a more embarrassing way. After leading dominating 85 minutes and failing to put chances away, the substitutions by Marco Silva were baffling. We went onto lose 2-1 in the space of five minutes against a team Watford are not particularly fond of. Embarrassment.

 

But after two poor losses, Silva battles out a 2-1 win against Leicester, with no sign of capitulating or losing game management. Faith was partially restored, until four days later. Silva had to back that win up with a home win against bottom of the league Swansea, who barely scored into double figures all season. After taking the lead and being in cruise control, no reward for guessing what happened next, in five minutes Swansea City take a vital 3 points from Watford.

 

Home Form

After making Hull City’s ground an absolute fortress last season – Vicarage Road is a nice little away ground for you neutral fans isn’t it? Near London, little club, you can get all three points normally can’t you? As long as you played us after October anyway. We have picked up 13 points all season from home out of 36. Could be worse, arguably. But after seeing what he did with Hull, he could do a lot better.

 

Vicarage Road is hardly a fortress. I am realistic, however. I understand we are Watford and are no Barcelona. But that team, with the talent Silva has, he’s done a really poor job. Which leads me onto my next point…

 

Where Is Silva’s Head At?

Everton. In one word, Everton. Ever since they came calling and we rejected the approach, he has not been interested in even staying until the end of the season. Which turns the fans and the dressing room against him. Silva even convinced unnamed Watford players to go with him. His reputation has now been left damaged, just like Watford’s season. It was common knowledge that Silva would leave at the end of the season, however, this was the season that he could give everything and then get his desired move. Ironically, he was too stubborn for that, with both parties left damaged.

Since the rumours came out, from a possible 42 Watford have picked up 11. I’ll reiterate how these games aren’t against those above us, they’re all mainly against teams below us. The two teams who came up from the championship absolutely played us off the park in December. No disrespect intended as both Huddersfield and Brighton as they really impressed me – but a squad like ours should not allow that to happen. Certainly not in back to back games. That’s what happened when you flirt with the Everton job, three months into your new one.

 

Breakdown In Relationship

There is no communication clearly with the board and Silva. Giraldi does not want to spend a penny this window saying that he, somehow, “Is extremely happy with the squad” when Silva rightfully knows he needs players. But if the two will not talk, then what? There is a video of them two bumping into each other and they don’t even make eye contact? He’s lost the dressing room, the fans and the board… now his job.

 

Overall Form – No Progression?

I have touched on our recent form, which obviously is a key reason for Marco Silva’s downfall. But this is not a kneejerk, nor light-hearted decision that has been made.

But a great two months doesn’t outweigh a downwards spiral for four and a half months. He has shown his ability, but doesn’t have the correct attitude, leading to this horrific record. 

If you add the wins and the draws together, its the same amount of games he has lost. A win percentage of 31% with our best squad in years is not a good look. Last year we had injuries too, and we had a much worse squad, and we still did better than what we are doing now. Watford fans agree with the decision, all other football fans must see the light too.

Player Management

Lastly, player management. Every time a striker scored, next game he would then get benched? It happened with Okaka, Deeney and Gray. Every. Single. Time. What sort of confidence are they meant to build? How are they meant to put a run together? They always look so isolated as its always one up top. Even when the two up top salvaged a point for us last week, Silva went back to one and we failed to create.

 

Another example of poor player management is Richarlison. A player of top quality who has been run into the ground, everyone can see he needs a break. He has become totally ineffective, yet he still starts every game? The Brazilian season is from May to December, so he should be resting now. But what are we doing? That’s right, subbing him on when we were 2-0 up against a weakened Bristol City side with 20 minutes to go. He plays for the sake of playing nowadays. It is a joke.

 

In conclusion, Marco Silva is a clearly talented manager. I’m disappointed at how things have ended up, but his sacking is down to his own fault, and it is the right decision by Gino Pozzo. No matter how ruthless. I hope if you felt it was a poor decision, by reading this you can understand why the decision was made – also why no Watford fans have contested the decision.

If you want to find out anymore, ask and follow me here @SeanWaiker

 

Up the ‘Orns.