Sannino the Saviour? Passionate Italian has Watford headed in the right direction

If Gianfranco Zola was the gentleman whose style of football had you on the edge of your seats, then Beppe Sannino is the animated character who has brought stability to a Watford side whose season was quickly turning into a nightmare of epic proportions.

Five consecutive home defeats had done for Zola at Vicarage Road and his departure in December 2013 was met with mixed emotions. How had a season that promised so much, now transpired into a real relegation dogfight? A narrow defeat to Sheffield Wednesday brought the curtain down on a successful eighteen months in charge, and heralded a new era for Watford Football Club.

However, the man who the Pozzo family decided to appoint as Zola’s successor in Sannino was not an inspiring one. At least that was the verdict from most of the Hornets faithful. Recently sacked from Serie A strugglers Chievo, people questioned whether the better route would have been to appoint an English manager, someone who would not need to adjust to the rigours of The Championship – arguably the most competitive and unpredictable division in world football.

Hailed as a defensive tactician, on the face of it he appeared exactly what Watford needed. With a campaign lost amidst mediocrity, this was a side who looked a shadow of the one that stood on the doorstep of the Barclays Premier League only seven months earlier. The results were almost instant.

Despite the grumblings from some, Sannino has orchestrated Watford’s revival, quietly turning them into a difficult to beat and well organised outfit. Just one defeat in seven home games, four consecutive home wins (three of which have come in the league) and four successive home clean sheets have lifted spirits and instilled real belief that a late push for a play-off place may still be in reach. The style of football has not necessarily been the easiest on the eye, yet Sannino has only tasted defeat once in the league since taking charge in mid-December. If there are still any doubters there needn’t be. It’s working.

Watford may or may not slip into the play-offs at the end of the season. Sannino may not be the long term answer, but despite all this, he has delivered what the owners asked of him when they brought him in – steady a sinking ship, and eliminate the fear factor. He has done both to date with flying colours.

By Matt Ford (Northwood School).