New signing Mauro Zarate is a player that should excite Watford fans and provide the team with a different attacking dimension.

That is the view of Evening Standard football correspondent Ken Dyer after watching the striker during his time at West Ham United.

Zarate, who completed his permanent move to Watford yesterday, was popular with West Ham fans but unable to secure a regular place in their side.

Dyer said: “My impressions were the fans quite liked him. He was never a regular in the team under Sam Allardyce.

"He never tied down a regular spot in the team but when he did play, as he did have some little runs in the team, he was fairly quick, had good close control and scored one or two special goals.

“I can remember at Arsenal in the opening game of last season when West Ham beat them. That was the first game under Slaven Bilic and he scored a good goal.

"He scored one or two important goals for West Ham. I would describe him as an individualist."

The former Fiorentina attacker's strongest asset is his ability on the ball which helped him catch the eye with the Hammers.

Dyer said: “I think his close control and skill stands out. If he gets in the box he will tempt defenders into rash tackles and win penalties even though I didn’t get the impression he was a diver.

"He’s got good close control and he’s very useful inside the box. Maybe not so much outside because he’s not the biggest or strongest.

"Maybe the Premier League at times was a bit physical for him but certainly I think the more games he plays the more at home he’ll be in that respect."

Zarate's goal record throughout his career is certainly not prolific. The forward scored seven goals in 29 appearances for West Ham between 2014 and 2016.

But Dyer believes his lack of regular football hindered his goal return.

“I think if he was a regular in the team he’d score more often," said Dyer.

"It’s difficult when you’re in and out of the team to get any rhythm going and combinations with other front players.

"I think probably he will always be a little bit like that and won’t be a prolific scorer but he will weigh in with some important goals."

He added: "For me, his greatest strength was he had really good close control and could take players on in the box and beat them.

“I don’t think you’d want him as a wide player. I don’t think he’s got terrific pace. He’s not slow though and has quick feet."

Watford Observer:

Zarate is not renowned for his work-rate but his ability to create something out of nothing may be a valuable asset in a side not blessed with creativity.

Dyer said: “I think he’s definitely more of a flair player. The fans like to be entertained and excited. He’s certainly one of those players. When he gets on the ball, he will try and do something with it.

“He probably convinced the fans more than he did the managers I would say. It’s possibly because he’s not one of those that liked to track back and do the ugly side of the game. He doesn’t always find that easy.

"But I think the fans liked him because when he got on the ball they sensed something might happen. Sometimes it did and sometimes it didn’t but he was always trying."

He added: "If he got within sight of goal, no matter where he was even if it was a narrow angle, he’d shoot and fans like that don’t they?

“I remember when he was at West Ham quite a lot of fans on social media were calling for him to have more chances."

Watford have resorted to direct football, for much of this season, in an effort to utilise target men such as Troy Deeney and Stefano Okaka.

But the Hornets will need to adapt their gameplan to get the best out of Zarate.

Dyer said: "Obviously Watford have got Deeney and [Odion] Ighalo so you have the big men if you like and he’s a different type of player.

"I think you’re going to have to play it into feet with him. If you play it in the air, he’s not going to do anything because that’s not his strength.

"He’s not big so I think you have to play it into his feet and he will try things. From the point of view of attacking play he will give you a different dimension to what you’ve got so that’s probably one of the reasons for signing him."