Watford will guarantee one thing during the upcoming 2015-16 Premier League campaign - excitement.
Ever since Troy Deeney's dramatic late goal in the semi-final of the Championship playoffs back in 2013, the Hornets have been getting bums off seats on a regular basis.
There has also been plenty of drama off the pitch, with Quique Flores having recently been appointed the club's fifth manager in the last 12 months.
Can all of that add up to success in the top flight? Here, Sports Mole assesses whether Watford have what it takes to secure their status over the next 10 months.
In
Sebastian Prodl (Werder Bremen), Giedrius Arlauskis (Steaua Bucharest), Jose Holebas (AS Roma), Matej Vydra (Udinese), Etienne Capoue (Tottenham Hotspur), Valon Behrami (Hamburg), Allan Nyom (Granada), Miguel Britos (Napoli), Jose Manuel Jurado (Spartak Moscow), Steven Berghuis (AZ Alkmaar)
Out
Jonathan Bond (Reading), Lewis McGugan (Sheffield Wednesday), Diego Fabbrini (Middlesbrough, season-long loan)
Last season - 2nd, Championship
Manager - Quique Flores
© Getty Images
Given owner Gino Pozzo's liking for a managerial change, Flores could be forgiven for seeing simply lasting to Christmas in the job as a personal triumph. He has arrived at Vicarage Road having managed some big clubs, including Valencia and Atletico Madrid, the latter of whom he guided to the Europa League title and success in the Spanish Super Cup. More recently, he has been coaching in the Middle East, where he won trophies with Al Ahli and Al Ain.
Having to keep a side in a division is not an alien challenge for the 50-year-old either, with his time at Getafe having set him up perfectly for the challenge ahead. The fact that Flores was already fluent in English prior to his arrival has also given him one less obstacle to navigate.
Key Player - Troy Deeney
A plethora of players have joined the Hertfordshire-based outfit this summer, but it is one that helped the club gain promotion that could determine whether they stay up or not. Not only was Deeney the club's leading goalscorer in the Championship last term with 21 strikes to his name, he also made nine assists - more than any of his teammates.
If the 27-year-old, who is preparing for his first ever campaign as a Premier League player, can reach anywhere near that total this year, he will have given Watford every chance of surviving. Yet, it will be interesting to see if he can adapt to Flores's new tactics. Deeney has flourished in a 3-5-2 formation in recent seasons, which allows a partner to create space for him. However, during the pre-season friendlies, the new Watford boss has used the former Walsall player as a lone frontman.
© Getty Images
Possible starting lineup
Gomes; Holebas, Ekstrand, Angella, Britos; Capoue, Behrami, Abdi, Forestieri; Deeney, Vydra
First game: Everton (A), Full fixture list
Sports Mole says
The Hornets are a tricky one to assess because they have made a host of impressive signings, many of whom have international experience. It means that on paper at least, they should be well clear of the danger zone come next May.
But, bringing in so many new players in such a short space of time tends to throw up its own problems. The team has had only around five or six friendlies to gel and then it's straight into the league season, by which time some of the arrivals have not had a chance to find their feet. Not only that, of Watford's nine additions so far, only three have previous (brief) experiences of the Premier League. With a manager that has also not coached in England, it could well be a tricky season. They will by no means be cut adrift, but it would not be a surprise to see their top-flight stint last just one term.
Prediction - 18th
Liam Apicella
