Watford
Watford boss Adrian Boothroyd
New boys Watford are back in the big time for the second season since the Premiership was formed in 1993.
Last time out, in 1999/00, the club suffered a nightmare season of injuries and, just a year after winning promotion, went straight back down.
The Hornets have a distinctly West Ham United feel about them – displaying a no-fear attitude coming forward, the team is capable of scoring goals but is equally likely to concede, which could expose them in the face of Premiership-class opposition.
Watford's history in the top flight of English football dates back to the glory years of the 1980s when Graham Taylor presided over players like John Barnes and Luther Blissett, who lit up Vicarage Road.
Although even the most ardent fans will agree that the current Watford team falls short of that standard, the club has some exciting young talent in their playing and coaching ranks and could provide an upset or two.
Manager Adrian Boothroyd has been an instant hit since his arrival from a coaching role at Leeds United and has transformed the club on a shoestring budget but it remains to be seen if he can lead his young charges in one of the toughest leagues in the world.
Facts
Formed: 1881
Home: Vicarage Road, capacity 23,100
Nickname: The Hornets
Adult 2006/07 season ticket prices: £420 - £530
Pedigree
League runners up: 1983
FA Cup runners up: 1984
People
Chairman: Graham Simpson
Chief executive: Mark Ashton
Honorary Life President: Sir Elton John
Manager: Adrian Boothroyd
Assistant Manager: Keith Burkinshaw
Team captain: Gavin Mahon
Last season
Championship: 3rd – P 46 W 22 D 13 L 9 GF 77 GA 53 GD +24 PTS 81
FA Cup: third round – lost 3-0 to Bolton Wanderers
League Cup: third round – lost 3-0 (aet) to Wigan Athletic
Major summer ins
Damien Francis – in from Wigan Athletic – £1.25 million
Chris Powell – in from Charlton Athletic – free
Tamas Priskin – from Gyori ETO FC – undisclosed
Dan Shittu - from Queen's Park Rangers - £1.6 million
Albert Jarrett - from Brighton - free
Claude Seanla - from Tottenham - free
Tommy Smith - from Derby – undisclosed
Major summer outs
None
Unheralded star
Gavin Mahon
Gavin Mahon is a stocky, Thomas Gravesen-like midfielder.
He is the antithesis of the kind of headline-making, goal-grabbing midfield maestro you would expect to see in an exciting attacking side like Watford but he makes an invaluable contribution, as any Hornets fan would attest to.
The club captain is a huge influence on the field and leads by example - always fully committed in the tackle and a solid presence in the centre. Birmingham-born Mahon made his professional debut for Hereford United in 1996 and following a stint at Brentford he was bought by the then-Hornets manager Gianluca Vialli for £150,000 and proved to be one of the most useful acquisitions made by the ill-fated Italian, having made over 150 appearances for the club to date.
After a troubled first season playing out of position at right-back, Mahon turned his Watford career around when several senior players left the club and he was finally given a chance in his favoured midfield anchor role.
The captain has steadily improved under manager Adrian Boothroyd, to whom he attributes the club's recent success, and Mahon is now one of the first names on the team sheet.
He recently signed a two-year contract extension, which will keep him in the yellow shirt until 2009.
Starlets
Ashley Young and Anthony McNamee
Of the two young stars, it is Young-by-name-young-by-nature Ashley that is the toast of the town at present.
The sprightly 18-year-old is officially listed as a striker but in reality plays more as a wide man who drifts in to support his strike partner.
With a terrific turn of pace and devastating ability from dead-ball situations, Young was tracked by several big clubs last season as he ably supported the heroics of top-scorer Marlon King with 15 goals of his own.
He was voted the club's young player of the season in 2004/05 and the following year was voted into the PFA Championship Select XI.
Anthony McNamee is a lesser-known quantity in Watford's ranks.
The young winger is likened around Vicarage Road to Tottenham's rising star Aaron Lennon for his pace and ability to beat defenders.
Still young at 22, he was used as a substitute two seasons ago by Ray Lewington but has blossomed under the tutelage of Adrian Boothroyd, starting in 26 league games and appearing as a replacement in 12 more last season.
Although goalscoring is not his forte, he provides a threat down the flank which opens up space for those around him and compliments the formidable partnership of King and Young up front.
Predictions
League position: 20th.
Pre-season relegation favourites, Watford will leak goals due to a back line which is ageing and inexperienced in equal measure. They have some exciting talent in attack and will no doubt cause problems for defences throughout the league but may suffer from this lopsidedness and a lack of depth in the squad if dragged into a gritty relegation dogfight, as seems likely.
Chances of managerial change: Slim to none.
Aidy Boothroyd is a firm fans' favourite after his sterling job in leading the team to an unexpected play-off appearance, then an equally unexpected dominance in the Championship Play-Offs. The youngest Premiership manager is even being touted by some fans as a future national team manager.
Top scorer: Marlon King.
The big Jamaican tore up the Championship last season with his power, pace, and deadly eye for goal, scoring over 20 goals in the club's promotion campaign – the first Watford man to do so since the legendary Luther Blissett.
Alistair Potter.