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Despite beginning the 2015/16 campaign as one of the favourites for relegation ahead of the new domestic season, Quique Sanchez Flores and his plucky Watford outfit have nonetheless excelled this term, even if most of the Premier League spotlight has undoubtedly been stolen by the boys down at the King Power Stadium in recent weeks.

Several so-called football ‘experts’ may have seemingly written the determined Hornets off before a ball was even kicked, but after subsequently proving many high profile pundits within the English footballing community wrong, Watford look to have successfully maintained their Premier League status, and could even go on to secure a surprise top ten finish with just a little bit of fortune of their side.

So then, with current Watford captain and all-round leader out on the pitch for Sanchez Flores’ side this season – Troy Deeney – clearly one of the standout figures for the Vicarage Road, does the 27-year-old centre-forward ultimately represent one of the Premier League’s greatest unsung heroes of the season?

Well, as the former Walsall and Halesowen Town striker has netted an impressive 10 goals in all competitions so far this term, whilst also contributing seven crucial final third assists for his team-mates. Deeney clearly deserves his fair share of credit for Watford’s impressive showings.

The man himself has scored more league goals than Everton’s highly rated Ross Barkley so far in 2015/16, as well as both the £49m-rated Raheem Sterling of Manchester City and current skipper of the England national side, Wayne Rooney. Roy Hodgson must therefore offer Deeney his due consideration for EURO 2016 this summer, even if such an outcome remains highly unlikely in the cold light of day.

Via his impressive hold-up play inside the final third, keen eye for goal in and around the opposition’s penalty box and overall leadership ability all across the park for Watford in 2015/16, this is one player who has been criminally overlooked so far this campaign.

Although Deeney’s current strike-partner, Odion Ighalo, has seemingly taken most of the plaudits, the in-form Nigeria international arguably wouldn’t have looked half the player he has without the reassuring presence of Deeney.

Put in no uncertain terms whatsoever, the 27-year-old Watford striker has simply stood up to be counted when it has really mattered, and whilst the ambitious front-man may not go down as one of the most technically gifted centre-forwards the Premier League, everything Deeney lacks in skill and technique, he more than makes up for with pure heart and determination.

If Arsenal had the pleasure of including several players with Deeney’s unmistakable sense of passion among their starting XI this term, perhaps Arsene Wenger’s side would have been able to count upon enough mental strength to genuinely consider themselves worthy title challengers.

So then, although very few non-Hornets supporting fans will likely hold Watford high up on the agenda come the culmination of the 2015/16 campaign, Quique Sanchez Flores’ side clearly deserve a great deal of praise for their exploits, with Troy Deeney himself at the forefront of the recent successes in Hertfordshire.

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The FA Cup final is not simply a grandiose one-off event but a symbolic full-stop to a season. If the players below don’t put in a performance this Saturday they can expect no further sentences to follow at their respective clubs.

Ashley Young

Following a flat, abject season it’s inevitable that Manchester United will come out flexing their financial muscles in the transfer market and unceremoniously discard the under-performers who have failed to make any meaningful impact. Despite penning a new contract last summer Young will surely be one of the names on the outgoing list having once again seen his season disrupted by injury and offering little of note when fit.

In recent years his versatility has been viewed as a positive but if he’s not effective in any of the numerous positions you have to question what his worth is.

Having grabbed a few minutes under his belt against Bournemouth the feeling is Young will be one of the substitutes at Wembley. To secure an immediate future at the club he needs to come on and influence the game.

Jesse Lingard

The world and his dog can clearly see that Juan Mata is United’s best number 10 while Lingard is more effective out wide. The world and his dog isn’t Louis van Gaal.

It would be a shame then if the academy graduate is moved on this summer after persistently disappointing in a role he’s not best suited for but his uploading of the coach attack video to social media probably wasn’t the wisest move either.

Michael Carrick

After a decade of distinguished service at Old Trafford all the signs point to Saturday being Carrick’s swansong with a number of clubs looking to afford Carrick one last pasture on which to stroke his sideways passes.

Last week’s rearranged fixture with Bournemouth saw the 34 year old proudly walk out with his daughters as mascots and – most tellingly of all – attempt a thunder-bluster of a 30 yarder, an act of showboatery not in his usual repertoire.

So he’s going then? Perhaps, but if his future does remain cloudy at present a controlling performance against Palace will do his cause no harm nonetheless.

Mile Jedinak

Set to start ahead of James McArthur to better combat Fellaini’s aerial threat the Palace captain is loved by fans for his whole-hearted approach to every minute on the pitch. Sadly 2015/16 has been a tale of injuries and poor form and with the club having serious money to spend this summer we may see Alan Pardew look to partner Cabaye in the middle with a player blessed with craft to go with the graft.

The Australian would leave south London with his name set in legend.

Dwight Gayle

The most natural finisher Palace possess but with Pardew evidently believing Conor Wickham is the bee’s knees and favouring just the one up front it’s left the Walthamstow born 25 year old with limited game time and a constant need to prove himself.

The latter trait is hardly a negative in all fairness and also derives from a career trajectory that’s seen him mirror Ian Wright in blossoming late after starting out at the foothills of the football pyramid.

When Wright bagged two in the 1990 cup final against United it ultimately led to a goal-laden reign at Arsenal. For Gayle you suspect even a similar impact on Saturday will lead to a move down if Palace upgrade on their striking stable.

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Liverpool have spent nearly £800million on transfers since the inauguration of the Premier League back in 1993, making one of the highest spending English clubs in history.

Amongst that astronomical figure, there was been good, and of course, there has been bad. From Luis Suarez to Andy Carroll and from Xabi Alonso to Salif Diao, the Merseyside club’s spending has stretched to almost all corners of the globe and certainly been a huge factor in the club’s success over the past two decades.

Despite those who have arrived at Anfield over the years not being able to help Liverpool win their first ever Premier League title, success has still been there, albeit somewhat eratic.

Since 1993 the club have won 12 major trophies, including two FA Cup’s, a Europa League and of course a famous Champion’s League victory back in 2005.

When thinking of the greats of the Premier League era, Liverpool fans will think Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher, Michael Owen and Xabi Alonso. But there are those who have helped along the way yet have gone more so without gratitude than maybe they deserved.

FFC share’s it most under-appreciated XI of the Premier League era ……

GK – Pepe Reina

Loaned to Napoli in 2013, then sold to Bayern Munich the next year, Reina’s departure was unexpected.

While Liverpool fans certainly appreciate his service, many forget just how good of a keeper the Spaniard was, having won the Golden Glove award for three consecutive seasons.

RB – Glen Johnson

Perhaps best remembered for his one-off wonder goals, Johnson was a solid addition to Liverpool’s squad back in 2009, and provided brilliant service both going back and going forward out wide.

CB – Martin Srktel

Skrtel seems set for an Anfield departure this summer after nine seasons at the club. Whilst he has only won one major trophy during that time, the Slovak was part of the 2008/09 and 2013/14 squads that finished second in the Premier League. A real warrior at centre half.

CB – Stephane Hanchez

Henchoz’s formidable partnership with Sami Hyypia turned Liverpool’s defence from laughable to one of the most formidable in Europe.

While maybe not as elegant or gifted as his Finnish counterpart, Henchoz was defensively sound and tactically astute.

LB – Alvaro Arbeloa

Typically a right back but for the sake of this XI, now a left back.

Arbeloa recently left Real Madrid with a heroes send-off, and was hailed by Jose Mourinho as the ‘most important player’ he has ever worked with.

Arbeloa went about his business quietly but efficiently.

RM – Maxi Rodriguez

Some would consider Rodriguez a flop during his time at Anfield following his unpredictable form for the Red’s, however the Argentine showed glimpses of his undoubted ability throughout his tenure with the club, a highlight seven goals in two weeks towards to end of the Dalgliesh reign.

CM – Didi Hamann

The quiet holding midfielder was a key cog in the Liverpool machine that won both the Europa and Champions League, as well as numerous other accolades between 1999 and 2006.

The German was calm, collected, and excellent with the ball, but was criticised for his lack of ‘impact’.

CM – Danny Murphy

Technically fantastic and a terrific goalscorer from midfield, Murphy was one of the few English players at Liverpool over the years who would have been suited to football on the continent. 44 goals in five seasons is a brilliant return from the middle of the park.

LM – Jermaine Pennant

Pennant’s off the field antics – including an eight week jail sentence and drink driving convictions –  overshadowed his ability on the pitch.

While he should have scored more goals during his time at Anfield, the Englishman was still a potent attacking threat and was more than happy to take on defenders.

ST – Christian Benteke

The Belgian can consider himself hard done by if he is indeed to leave Anfield this summer after just one season with the club.

Ten goals in a limited amount of game time, including a fabulous overhead kick against Manchester United, was not a bad return and Benteke was used as a scapegoat late into the Brendan Rodger’s era thanks to his hefty price tag.

ST – Dirk Kuyt

Maybe it was because he was signed as a goalscoring striker and adapted his game to play in a more supportive role, but Kuyt perhaps defines under-rated, especially when it comes to Anfield.

Always one for the big occasion, the Dutchman had a tireless work out and was an ever-present figure in Liverpool’s front line and midfield

According to reports from Sky Sports, manager Mark Hughes has revealed Stoke City may have to wait until deadline day to get some of their transfer deals over the line.

The Potters have already signed three players this summer in the form of Joe Allen, Ramadan Sobhi and Ryan Sweeney – arriving from Liverpool, Al Alhy and AFC Wimbledon respectively.

WANT MORE? >> Stoke Transfer News | Latest Transfer News

But the latter duo, both aged 19, appear unlikely to be offered significant roles in the first-team squad next season.

Stoke City reportedly tabled a £17million transfer bid for West Bromwich Albion striker Saido Berahino earlier this summer and have also been linked with former Manchester United star Robin van Persie.

But Stoke manager Mark Hughes has revealed that he’s more focused on making defensive additions before the summer transfer window slams shut.

He told Sky Sports: “It’s fair to say in defensive areas we probably need one more but we’ll wait and see if the right player becomes available.”

And the Welshman further stated that the Bet365 Stadium outfit could have to wait until deadline day to seal deals for their top transfer targets.

He said: “We’ve got any number of targets we think we’ve got an opportunity to get over the line. It could be that it goes into the last throes of the window.

“It’s not something I like doing, but sometimes the clubs who have the players you’d like to sign change their view and become more receptive nearer the deadline.

“It’s not ideal, we’ve started the season already but we haven’t been able to get some of the targets we’ve chased in the building. At the end of the day it’s down to the player and the club he’s at. It’s out of our hands.”

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Manchester City have been in imperious form this season. New manager Pep Guardiola has made light work of English football so far and his City side have won 10 games out of 10 under his stewardship.

They top the table with six league victories and are scoring goals with freedom.

Their performances against Manchester United and Bournemouth drew particular praise and Guardiola will be very hopeful about City’s chances this season.

That said, they haven’t reached perfection just yet. The Citizens looked a bit shaky in their last two fixtures versus Swansea City and were made to work hard in their opening game against Sunderland.

There is always room to improve and we think City could do much worse than signing Hector Bellerin.

The 21-year-old has reportedly stalled on contract talks at the Emirates. He is a phenomenal footballer and he would surely help improve their defence even further.

City’s squad is frighteningly good already  but the idea of them strengthening even further should put fear into the eyes of their competitors.

His Barcelona links

The right-back was at Barcelona between 2003 and 2011 before he joined the Gunners, making the same move as previous fan favourite Cesc Fabregas.

However, if he chose to move to Man City, his Barcelona links would be just as notable as he would rejoin former manager Pep Guardiola. Txiki Begiristain is the current director of football at City, too, just as he had been at Barcelona whilst Bellerin was there.

He’d become no.2 immediately

Zabaleta is not the player he once was and Sagna has taken his spot as City’s right back.

The former Arsenal man has impressed at the Blues. However, Sagna, like Zabaleta is not getting any younger and Bellerin would be the perfect replacement for them.

In fact, he would probably become City’s main right back instantly.

His pace

Bellerin has been blessed with a frightening amount of pace. Just this weekend during Arsenal’s 3-0 demolition of Chelsea the 21-year-old sprinted back to catch up with Pedro and stop what looked like a certain goal.

He would slot in very nicely in that City back four.

His defensive ability

He may be blessed with pace but he’s not just some fast flash in the pan. He’s a very well rounded defender actually. He didn’t just catch up with Pedro but he challenged him fairly and wont the ball back.

He’s a phenomenal athlete and despite his lean build, Bellerin is in fact very strong and resolute. The perfect full back perhaps?

Trophies

Unfortunately for Arsenal and Wenger, the Gunners haven’t been blessed with an array of trophies in the past decade.

In fact, two FA Cup triumphs is all they have to show for their efforts.

Whilst Manchester City haven’t done overwhelmingly better in that time, they have won the Premier League twice whilst also winning the League Cup a couple of times.

Bellerin could expect to be part of a title winning side far more if he joined the Citizens.

In front of 85,011, the highest ever home attendance for an English club, Spurs failed to do the business in their Champions League group opener against AS Monaco.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side were overcome by a Monaco outfit that might have expected more from a Tottenham outfit that had remained unbeaten until Wednesday evening.

Spurs fell agonisingly short of a first win at Wembley Stadium, being used due to White Hart Lane’s development but it’s clear supporters will need to see better if their team are to have any chance of progressing in the competition.

Spurs looked a little mediocre and sluggish at times in London and you’d expect them to be ruthlessly exposed by even better teams that AS Monaco, who, with all due respect, aren’t expected to push for the crown this year.

So with that in mind, why did Spurs struggle so much on their big day back in Europe?

Football Fancast author Hayden Atkins takes us through three reasons why Spurs struggled at Wembley…

Poor defending

It was less than a year ago to the day when we saw Spurs waltz past Monaco in the Europa League, as they beat the Ligue 1 side 4-1 at White Hart Lane.

But it down to anything you like but at Wembley, Spurs defending poorly for the two goals. Perhaps less so for Bernardo Silva’s goal but the marking and poor concentration levels were definitely the reason behind the goal scored by Lemar.

Spurs simply switched off and at this level, teams will expose you if you’re not anticipating what’s going on. A lesson in paying attention this one.

Kane struggles to find form again

Kane might have finally got on the scoresheet against Stoke City on Saturday but this game was a completely different nut to crack for Spurs.

Monaco were always going to be tight, making things difficult as they pressed the ball and it worked- and Kane rarely got a sniff. He lacked the confidence he showed when he was scoring for fun last season and even when he did get a decisive chance, he didn’t make the most of it at all.

A return to form can’t come quick enough for the England international, who has a lot of proving to do after such a jaded start to the campaign.

Getting other key players back and fighting fit

Spurs have got some fantastic players at the club but for all the attacking and defensive talent they do have on their books, one player that is constantly overlooked when it comes to praise is Mousa Dembele.

He came on as a substitute right at the start of the second half and already, Spurs looked more comfortable with the Belgian anchoring the midfield.

He’s been missing due to suspension but the quicker Pochettino can get him back to full-fitness, the better. This then gives Dele Alli a license to go forward, a role he’s looked far more comfortable in for both Spurs and England this season.

Manchester City face Southampton this weekend and we won’t see many greater mismatches in the Premier League this season. On the pitch this will be a competitive, potentially fascinating fixture. Off it, there is a chasm between the two sides. The two teams that have conducted themselves financially in polar opposite fashions, and both have enjoyed success over the last few years.

In the red corner, Southampton have become accustomed to losing key players each summer. With a hauntingly long list of their stars departing over the last few seasons. Losing Victor Wanyama and Sadio Mane this summer was hurtful, but it wasn’t quite as destructive as some windows they have suffered.

In the blue corner, Manchester City have largely shown little care for generating revenue through player transfers. On the odd occasion that they have sold a player, it has usually been once any prospect of a future at the Etihad Stadium is completely flung out of the window. Loans followed by sales have often seen City recoup underwhelming fees for players, while their squad continues to swell with highly-paid surplus components.

Financial consideration is perhaps growing for Manchester City, as we saw this summer. The temptation to spend heavily on ‘proven’ stars was resisted for the most part, with significant investment made in players who shan’t reach their ‘peak’ years until around 2020. Pep Guardiola’s project at the club will undoubtedly have some impact on their monetary activities, yet they will not be becoming a model of frugality any time soon.

The graph below comes from a fantastic Swiss Ramble article detailing Arsenal’s current financial position, but it serves to show the vast gap between Manchester City and Southampton when it comes to net spend. They are living in different worlds. Where Manchester City can splash near world record fees on defenders in back-to-back summers, Southampton have had to cope with the losses of almost an entire first choice XI since their return to the Premier League.

Panic could easily have ensued each summer. The loss of Mauricio Pochettino and Ronald Koeman, too, added extra spice to an already bubbling concoction, but there were never any signs that things would head south. Player recruitment has remained shrewd, signing on quality, suitability and potential rather than name and picking managers that evidently understand the plans of the club and fit with the direction they wish to travel in.

Every financial metric gives Southampton no chance at the Etihad this weekend. Southampton, though, are experts at both upsetting the odds and finding means to their desired ends. With so many owners and boards criticised vehemently, Southampton deserve maximum credit. Despite hardly spending a penny in net spend, the Saints are managing to improve their squad year on year. The loss of successful, excellent managers cannot even restrict the progress of Southampton – the recruitment at every level of the club borders on miraculous.

According to reports from The Daily Star, Liverpool are targeting Southampton defensive duo Virgil van Dijk and Sam McQueen, whilst Manchester United are still interested in signing Jose Fonte.

What’s the word?

Although they’ve struggled for proficiency at the more glamorous end of the pitch this season, Southampton remain one of the best defensive outfits in the Premier League. They’ve conceded just twelve goals in twelve games this term – the best record in the bottom half and the joint-fourth best throughout the division.

Saints’ defensive qualities were particularly evident on Saturday as they held Liverpool, the league’s top scorers, to a goalless draw at St. Mary’s and perhaps as a consequence, The Daily Star claim the Premier League’s biggest clubs are eyeing Claude Puel’s leading defenders.

Liverpool are reportedly preparing a £40million double-raid for star centre-back Virgil van Dijk and prodigious No.3 Sam McQueen, whilst Southampton ‘also fear’ losing captain Jose Fonte – who is still attracting interest from Manchester United.

Fonte to Old Trafford?

The Red Devils were continuously linked with Fonte during the latter stages of the summer transfer window after he’d helped Portugal claim an unlikely European Championship in France, with United reportedly holding ‘informal talks’ over a potential deal in August – according to ESPN.

Fonte has been his usually consistent self this season, missing just one of Southampton’s Premier League fixtures thus far, whilst Manchester United face a host of problems at the back.

A raft of injuries saw Jose Mourinho field Phil Jones, Marcos Rojo and Mateo Darmian during a 1-1 draw with Arsenal on Saturday – three defenders who appeared destined to leave Old Trafford at the start of the season – and United’s overall defensive record is notably underwhelming compared to Mourinho’s usual standards.

They’ve conceded 14 times already, two more goals than the Saints, kept just four clean sheets and suffered heavy losses at the hands of Watford and Chelsea. Although by no means a world-beater, the stability Fonte offers would be a welcome change from the current situation in the Red Devils back line. Furthermore, with his contract due to expire at the end of next season, Southampton could be pressured into selling when the transfer window opens in January.

Here’s a look at how Fonte’s form has compared to United’s current centre-back options this season based on per-game metrics, courtesy of Squawka.

Another Liverpool-Southampton deal?

Seemingly the Reds’ go-to recruitment pool, Liverpool have spent nearly £100million on Southampton players over the past few summers, not least including a £36million deal for winger-forward Sadio Mane during the last transfer window. There appears to be a largely positive relationship between both boardrooms in the transfer market, so Football FanCast wouldn’t be surprised to see them reach another agreement in the new year.

However, one target certainly makes more sense than the other. Whilst Sam McQueen is a talented prospect coming near the end of his Saints contract, the left-back is just 21 years of age and has only three Premier League appearances under his belt thus far. He’s surely not an immediate answer to Liverpool’s well-documented issues at No.3, with midfielder James Milner filling the void this season, which casts inevitable doubts over The Daily Star’s claims.

On the other hand, Liverpool’s reported interest in Virgil van Dijk is much less surprising. The Netherlands international has established himself as one of the best defenders in the Premier League since arriving from Celtic two summers ago and was the subject of discussion on Match of the Day after a heroic performance against the Reds. Aerially dominant yet quick and talented with the ball at his feet, VvD seems destined for greater things.

According to Whoscored, only three defenders to have made five appearances or more have performed better than him in the Premier League this season.

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Another Saturday of Premier League football has come to and, once again, it’s was an afternoon of torment for those West Ham fans watching on.

The Irons came into the game against Arsenal feeling they perhaps could have got something after drawing at Manchester United last time out in the league but things quickly suggested only one side was going to win it.

The Gunners were by no means scintillating, but they didn’t need to be. They were, however, very comfortable throughout.

It looked like a classic ‘1-0 to the Arsenal’ result after Mesut Ozil’s goal seemed the difference from the first-half, but both sides then decided they’d put on a goalscoring exhibition.

For the fast depleting London Stadium crowd it was quite something to behold towards the end in a mental passage of play that saw Alexis Sanchez grab a 14-minute hat-trick, Andy Carroll net a consolation and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain score a fine effort from outside of the box.

In the end, the goals dried up and 1-5 it finished to the Gunners leaving West Ham right in the relegation scrap.

A strange old game, then, and here are FIVE things we learned about it…

West Ham are properly in trouble

The feeling around West Ham is that they shouldn’t be where they are in the table, but the matter of fact is they are in a precarious position and they need to acknowledge it fast.

It’s all well and good thinking you should be higher up but if you can’t actually prove it, it means nothing. Games against the likes of Arsenal won’t define the Hammers’ season but they quickly need to turn things around.

Arsenal do what Arsenal do best

If you need a side to beat a team that are struggling for form then Arsenal are the outfit to back.

Winning this kind of game is a real habit and one that the Gunners duly indulged in once again against the men from east London. They never looked that under threat whilst they also seemed pretty happy to stay in second gear for most of the game before cracking home four goals towards the end of the match.

Ashley Fletcher deserves a proper run

It’s not all bad West Ham fans, as Ashley Fletcher looks like a genuine prospect.

He may be young but he’s certainly got no fear and he showed some nice touches in this game. With Andy Carroll back, too, it could be time for the Hammers to go back to the old fashioned 4-4-2 and just have a right go at sides with two powerful players up top. Bilic needs to roll the dice and Fletcher has to be a part of his plans.

Actually, Mesut Ozil frustrates

This isn’t to say Ozil had a poor game today, in fact, he did a decent job, but it begs the question: where was he against Manchester United or PSG recently?

Once again the German suggested that against the teams you’d expect the Gunners to beat he’s more than happy to pull his finger out, but when the going gets tough, he’s the first to shrink away. It’s something that really needs to be thought about.

Hammers need serious investment

This West Ham team is incredibly poor.

Last season’s squad is largely still about but it’s been added to, in the main, by a collection of players who are evidently past it, not good enough or simply do not care about wearing the claret and blue shirt. Slaven Bilic needs to completely tear this team up and start again because they look like a bunch of players that have never met before in their life and that would have problems down the park, let alone in the Premier League.

Leicester City star Riyad Mahrez has picked up another personal gong after being named African Footballer of the Year.

The 25-year-old came out on top in the vote because of his influence in the Foxes’ remarkable Premier League title win last season.

Mahrez has managed just three league goals so far in the 2016-17 campaign, but on the way to Leicester becoming the unlikeliest of champions, he scored 17 goals and bagged 10 assists in 37 appearances.

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On Thursday night, the Algerian was presented with the prestigious gong at the annual Confederation of African Football awards, beating out 2015 winner Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who came second, and third-placed Sadio Mane.

The award winner, who was selected in a poll of African national team coaches, took to Twitter after the ceremony to thank his supporters.

Mahrez is no stranger to awards having been named last season’s PFA Player of the Year and in the PFA Team of the Year.

There was also some joy for Manchester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho at the ceremony as he picked up the Most Promising Talent award, while Arsenal’s Alex Iwobi was crowned Youth Player of the Year.

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