The French midfielder has been a rock for Walter Mazzari’s Watford this season.
Watford’s Etienne Capoue celebrates scoring their third goal with Troy Deeney
After a surprise managerial change at Warford, with the popular Quique Sanchez Flores departing in the summer to make way for the former Inter Milan and Napoli manager, Walter Mazzari, Watford fans approached the 2016/2017 season with a mix of optimism and fear.
Despite an excellent first season back in the Premier League, Watford’s form took a considerable dip towards the end of the campaign, and with the arrival of a manager who both struggled with English and hadn’t managed in the Premier League before, opinions were firmly split on just how successful this season would turn out to be for the Hornets.
However, Watford’s squad had been considerably strengthened, and after their initial success, the Hornets had done well to keep hold of their best players. One of which, being French midfielder Etienne Capoue.
Manchester United’s Marouane Fellaini in action with Watford’s Etienne Capoue
Despite playing most of his career in a holding-midfielder role, Capoue found himself in a new formation under Mazzari, shifting to a 3-5-2. This would go on to allow the Frenchman to roam much more in games, and push forward into attacking positions which, previously under Flores, Etienne would not have found himself in.
The impact of this tactical switch was instant, and in their first game of the season, Capoue scored the only Watford goal in a 1-1 draw.
Watford’s Etienne Capoue celebrates scoring their first goal
Despite a hard fought draw to start off the season, the rest of August followed with defeats, including a 1-2 defeat to Chelsea as well as a 1-3 defeat to Arsenal. Capoue, who scored the only goal against Chelsea, was seeing his impressive individual performances come to nothing. But, in fairness to the Hornets, Chelsea are Arsenal were pretty tricky teams to play for a manager whose new to the Premier League.
Watford’s Etienne Capoue in action with Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere
September however saw a complete turnaround in form, as the Watford players began to click with Mazzari’s new system. After 2-4 away trashing of West Ham United, in which Capoue scored once, Watford pulled off an impressive 3-1 home win against Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United.
Manchester United’s Paul Pogba clashes with Watford’s Troy Deeney as Etienne Capoue interjects
Despite ending the month with a 2-0 defeat to Burnley, Watford fans were happy to see that things were starting to click under their new Italian manager and saw, through the impressive displays from players like Capoue, positive signs for the future.
Watford’s Etienne Capoue celebrates
October proved to be another positive spell for Watford, as the Hornets went the entire month unbeaten. After starting the month with a 2-2 draw with Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth, Watford went on to pick up victories against Middlesbrough (0-1) and Hull City (1-0) as well as a 0-0 draw with Swansea City. Capoue, who was proving to be the real heart of Watford’s midfield, continued his run of impressive displays, putting a shift going forward and defensively.
Watford’s Etienne Capoue celebrates
November however, was something of a mixed bag. Facing Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool at the beginning of the month, the Hornets suffered a painful 6-1 defeat at the hands of the Reds.
Watford’s Etienne Capoue in action with Liverpool’s Emre Can
Despite picking up a 2-1 win over Premier League Champions, Leicester City, the Hornets ended the month with another defeat to Stoke City. The month had been something of a reminder of just how tough the Premier League can be, and how quick the opposition can be to figure out certain tactics managers like Mazzari implement.
Watford’s Etienne Capoue in action with Stoke City’s Bruno Martins Indi
December could end up being a very telling month for Watford, as the Hornets prepare to set the direction for their season. After a lax performance against West Brom, Watford have started the month with another defeat, losing 3-1. However, granted Mazzari can continue to implement new and clever ways to beat teams, and granted the Hornets can keep hold of their top performers like Etienne Capoue, they could be set for a top half finish.
Watford’s Troy Deeney celebrates scoring with Etienne Capoue and Younes Kaboul
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