Ahead of our early kick off on Saturday against Watford FC we spoke with the Golden Pages Fanzine to see how things are going for the Hornets.
Right in the middle of the Championship, 12th place with 12 wins, 5 draws and 13 losses. What's been the story of your season so far?
It’s been a rollercoaster ride so far. In August, we were tipped by many to be relegated. The squad was weak, having sold our crown jewels and replaced them with unproven hopefuls. However, Cleverley masterminded an incredible August, in which we didn't drop a point. Amazingly, our unbeaten home record only toppled at the end of December. It's been hit and miss from there.
We should have accumulated enough points already not to be drawn into a relegation scrap, although the tough run coming up may see the Hornets drop down the league table.
Vakoun Issouf Bayo is your top scorer with ten, what kind of player is he?
Much-maligned amongst Watford fans, Bayo is the Club’s only senior number nine. His goalscoring record paints a distorted picture of his season, given that four of his ten goals came at Hillsborough. He's a frustrating figure; irritatingly wasteful in front of goal and astonishingly lightweight. Bayo was sold to sister club Udinese and loaned back to Watford for the rest of the season.
He is suspended against Sunderland, having received a straight red against Norwich.
Other than him, who are some of your best players?
Centre back Mattie Pollock (son of Jamie) has been Watford's player of the season so far. He's a future captain. Consistent, strong and a leader.
The key man is Giorgi Chakvetadze. Having starred in Georgia's Euros success, he carried his form into the start of the season. Giorgi is a very good ball carrier, although his weakness is in front of goal.
The young hopeful that may return on Saturday is Rocco Vata. He signed from Celtic in the summer and has had to wait for his chance, but the youngster is in electric form. He's a tricky winger and the heir apparent to Chakvetadze.
Familiar to Mackems, Watford captain Moussa Sissoko is horribly out of form and looks leggy and complacent.
What do you think of Tom Cleverley in the dugout?
He's performed nothing short of a miracle, so far. It's almost unbelievable to still be within touching distance of the playoffs, at this stage. It's easy to forget he's an inexperienced coach who's been handed a paper-thin squad.
As a player, he was a Watford favourite. Tom is honest, ambitious, loves the club and has shown already that he has the talent and enthusiasm to carve a decent future in the game. You'll hear on Saturday how much Watford fans love him.
There's been a lot of unrest recently on social media from the Watford fans, what are your overall thoughts on that?
Supporters are rightly fed up with the way that the club has been run in recent years. Coupled with the rumours that they intended to replace Cleverley (who has almost unanimous backing amongst fans) with an unknown from Spain would have tipped many fans over the edge. The Premier League money has been frittered away and the owner (who is autocratic) refuses to learn from the plentiful mistakes he's made and the recruitment gets worse every season. There are legitimate concerns about the future of the club under his governance, unless he drops his ridiculous valuation of the club. It's a more nuanced story, but that's a brief summary.
Although social media can be an echo chamber at times, the unrest spilled into the last matchday. For the first time there were loud songs against the owner. Expect that to intensify, multiplied by ten if he sacks Cleverley.
So, how was your January business?
It was perhaps the worst transfer window in the last 15 years. The recruitment team failed to support Cleverley and we've been left with a skeleton squad that is already suffering with injuries. It's best summed up with the loan recruit of a young Chelsea left-back (not a priority position) that won't be fit for another month.
Which Sunderland player worries you the most for Saturday?
Wilson Isidor is exactly the type of forward you need to get out of the Champ. The recent loan singing Enzo Le Fee looks magic, too.
What's your score prediction and goalscorers?
On top of the problems described above, our away form is horrific. If we come away from the SoL having not been battered, that'll be a good day. I'm going 2-0 to the home side.
Where do you reckon both sides will finish this campaign?
I don't think the top-2 can be moved. I suspect that Sunderland will be cemented in 3rd/4th. For Watford, a mid-table finish would represent a very good season.
