It hasn’t been a busy transfer window for Watford thus far. However, Gino Pozzo has made some key additions to the squad which will hopefully aid the Hornet’s attack. Here are my pros and cons for each of the signings.

Tom Cleverley

It is probably easiest to give my opinion on Cleverley having seen him play a couple of times already. He seems to give the Hornets something that they were lacking and that is a bit of determination. A Watford fan sent me Cleverley’s heat map showing him having touches all over the pitch against Bournemouth. This is something Capoue did regularly early on in the season. He has been unlucky not to get a goal in a Watford shirt already, hopefully, that will happen in the near future. A desire to play and wear the shirt will always get a big thumbs up in my book. He looks a great signing so far. I for one desperately want it to be made a permanent signing in the summer.

 Mauro Zarate

Zarate has hopefully been brought in to play the role that Pereyra adopted before his unfortunate injury. I’m not too keen on Zarate’s record up front but having not seen him play it is not fair to comment on that. The reported fee is small, which of course makes it a less risky transfer. Should he flourish in that attacking midfield role then Watford could have found the solution to their dry spell in terms of goals. Despite only 5 league goals in 22 games for West Ham, the Hammers, on the whole, have spoken well about him. Overall, I believe this is a good signing. If he does well it could benefit Watford hugely and if not then the fee isn’t huge and Pereyra will eventually return.

M’baye Niang

Who would have guessed Watford FC signing a young player from AC Milan? Niang is just 22 years old and comes with potential, which should excite Watford fans. He joins the club on loan but the Hornets can make the deal permanent in the summer. The club’s official page says Niang is able to play in a central attacking position or on the wing. They have chosen not to use the word striker. I wonder how he will be deployed under Mazzarri, as like another exciting youngster Isaac Success his best position is probably attacking down the wing. Perhaps Mazzarri will change formation to include wingers? I personally have been hoping so for a few months now. The only drawback in this otherwise exciting signing is his attitude. The attitude of many Watford players has been called into question after a few poor results. Players have been adjudged to not give their all and to give away unnecessary fouls. Niang has been called a young Balotelli, he has crashed his car a couple of times, once earning him a suspended 18-month jail sentence. In addition, AC Milan fans were outraged when having just returned from injury he jumped into a pool from the roof of his house as a social media stunt.