James Tomkins has warned the Official Programme that Watford’s frontmen Odion Ighalo and Troy Deeney need to be watched
James Tomkins has warned West Ham United’s Official Programme that Watford’s front pair of Odion Ighalo and Troy Deeney are a ‘real handful’.
The No5 started at of centre-half at Vicarage Road when West Ham travelled around the A406 to take on the newly-promoted Hornets – who visit the Boleyn Ground in the Barclays Premier League this evening – last October.
The Hammers sat third in the table, while Watford went into the game in 13th, but the form guide went out of the window as Quique Sanchez Flores’ side secured a deserved 2-0 victory.
Both goals that horrible Halloween afternoon were scored by Nigerian striker Odion Ighalo, who has gone on to enjoy a fine debut season in England’s top-flight with 14 Premier League goals to his name.
Ighalo’s partnership with captain Troy Deeney has been key to Watford’s seemingly secure position in mid-table, and Tomkins knows whoever is tasked with marking the pair will need to be on their game this evening.
“They are a good team and obviously their front two are a real handful,” Tomkins told the Official Progrmame. “We obviously need to deal with them at our place, because we didn’t at theirs.
“With Watford being a new team to the Premier League, we didn’t know a lot about them and we got a bit of a shock, because it was a very hard game. We didn’t underestimate them, but they were just too good on the day.”
The No5 started at of centre-half at Vicarage Road when West Ham travelled around the A406 to take on the newly-promoted Hornets – who visit the Boleyn Ground in the Barclays Premier League this evening – last October.
The Hammers sat third in the table, while Watford went into the game in 13th, but the form guide went out of the window as Quique Sanchez Flores’ side secured a deserved 2-0 victory.
Both goals that horrible Halloween afternoon were scored by Nigerian striker Odion Ighalo, who has gone on to enjoy a fine debut season in England’s top-flight with 14 Premier League goals to his name.
Ighalo’s partnership with captain Troy Deeney has been key to Watford’s seemingly secure position in mid-table, and Tomkins knows whoever is tasked with marking the pair will need to be on their game this evening.
“They are a good team and obviously their front two are a real handful,” Tomkins told the Official Progrmame. “We obviously need to deal with them at our place, because we didn’t at theirs.
“With Watford being a new team to the Premier League, we didn’t know a lot about them and we got a bit of a shock, because it was a very hard game. We didn’t underestimate them, but they were just too good on the day.”
We obviously need to deal with them at our place, because we didn’t at theirs
Another Watford player Tomkins will need no second introduction to is the Hornets’ all-action midfielder Valon Behrami.
The Switzerland international spent two-and-a-half years in Claret and Blue between summer 2008 and January 2011, lining up alongside the home-grown defender on dozens of occasions.
While he has been in and out of Flores’ starting XI following his £2.5 million move from German club Hamburg last July, Tomkins knows Behrami possesses the quality to hurt his former employers this evening.
“Yeah, Valon, he was at West Ham and he always loved a bit of contact!” Tomkins laughed, remembering his erstwhile colleague’s non-stop, physical approach. “That was Valon and the way he played. He always did his best for the team and I’m sure he’s doing the same for Watford.
“I’m not sure he plays as regularly for them as he did for us, but he’s a good player among a lot of good players who Watford have got.”
You can order tonight’s Official Programme online here or alternatively download the Digital Programme for just £1.99 here.
The Switzerland international spent two-and-a-half years in Claret and Blue between summer 2008 and January 2011, lining up alongside the home-grown defender on dozens of occasions.
While he has been in and out of Flores’ starting XI following his £2.5 million move from German club Hamburg last July, Tomkins knows Behrami possesses the quality to hurt his former employers this evening.
“Yeah, Valon, he was at West Ham and he always loved a bit of contact!” Tomkins laughed, remembering his erstwhile colleague’s non-stop, physical approach. “That was Valon and the way he played. He always did his best for the team and I’m sure he’s doing the same for Watford.
“I’m not sure he plays as regularly for them as he did for us, but he’s a good player among a lot of good players who Watford have got.”
You can order tonight’s Official Programme online here or alternatively download the Digital Programme for just £1.99 here.