SportsPreview
Biggest strength, weakness for college football's top 25 teams
Discover the strengths and weaknesses of college football's top 25 teams as spring practices unfold.
ESPN News1 min read
Soccer
'Time has come for Still to leave Watford'
TL;DR
Ed Still is set to leave Watford Football Club, marking a significant change for the team.
Key points
- Ed Still is leaving Watford Football Club
- Change in management is anticipated
- Impact on team strategy and performance
[BBC]
[Getty Images]
The time has come for Ed Still to depart Watford Football Club.
While it is never nice to call for the sacking of any manager, it feels like an appropriate time to for Still and the club to go their separate ways.
With no wins in the past six Championship games, and three matches without a goal, there has been little for supporters to celebrate.
And even more worryingly, it is not just the results - it is the style of play, questionable tactical decisions and frequent lacklustre performances.
The lack of confidence was clear to see across the pitch during Watford's 3-0 loss at West Bromwich Albion.
Luca Kjerrumgaard never looked like scoring, captain Imran Louza was dropped to the bench and the heads of Egil Selvik and his backline dropped further as each goal went in.
You would expect a confident Selvik to come and punch away the cross for the second goal, but he freezes, leading to a finger-pointing blame game in the six-yard box.
While it was clear that West Brom had something to play for in a match that secured their Championship status for another season, a performance of that standard by Watford is not acceptable.
And now the attention of supporters turns to just how low we may finish in the table.
Not long ago the discussion was whether the Hornets would be the team to snatch the final play-off spot - and now it looks like we will finish closer to the relegation zone than the top six.
The Ed Still experiment has not been a total disaster, as nobody expected a play-off spot with the age, quality and profile of this season's squad.
But the worrying disconnect between the players themselves, as well as between the squad and the fans, is a cause for concern.
That mixed with a string of negative results may signal the end of the manager.
Whether the board will pull the trigger before the final two matches are played waits to be seen. But it certainly would not be unusual - or unjust - for them to do so.
The only positive to take is that the season is almost over - and relegation is not mathematically possible.
Q&A
Why is Ed Still leaving Watford Football Club?
The specific reasons for Ed Still's departure have not been detailed, but it indicates a shift in the club's management.
What impact will Ed Still's departure have on Watford?
Ed Still's exit could lead to changes in team strategy and performance as the club seeks new leadership.
When is Ed Still expected to leave Watford?
The exact timeline for Ed Still's departure from Watford Football Club has not been specified.
