No side in the history of the Premier League has chopped and changed their manager with the frequency with which Watford operate.
Since returning to the top flight in 2015, the Hornets have employed no fewer than 11 different managers and Roy Hodgson is the latest man to step into the poisoned chalice.
Whilst critics inevitably look at Watford’s gung ho approach to managers with disdain, the fact that they have firmly established themselves as a yo-yo club between the Premier League and the Championship is often overlooked.
In terms of playing personnel, the Hornets have invested in their squad well in recent years and they have created a squad more than capable of competing in the top flight.
However, Claudio Ranieri’s reign at Vicarage Road lasted all of 14 games, with the Italian only managing to pick up two victories and he was ultimately relieved of his duties.
Giving former England manager Hodgson the chance to restart Watford’s season and claw back the 2-point deficit they currently have in the relegation zone.
Few managers in English nor world football are as experienced as Hodgson and how he would love to engineer a great escape in what will surely be one of his final managerial positions.
Whilst many would argue that it does feel too little, too late for the Hornets however to save their season, the race is far from done yet, but they have been heavily backed to drop back down into the Championship at 1.33.
It has been a tough campaign so far for Burnley, who have only managed to win 1 league game this season and they look to be slipping towards relegation at an alarming rate.
Sean Dyche is a manager known for conjuring up the goods when it matters but he hasn’t been able to inspire the Clarets to previous heights this term.
The departure of star striker Chris Wood to fellow strugglers Newcastle United in the January Transfer Window is an obvious moot point and the fact that Burnley have played as many as 5 fewer league games this season due to COVID 19 cannot go unnoticed.
However, at the halfway point in the campaign, their points haul of just 12 is concerning and they need to start putting points on the board very quickly.
Burnley currently have a 4 point gap to Premier League safety above them and at 1.50, the bookmakers clearly feel they are a serious relegation contender this season.
Elsewhere, Norwich City have seen results and performances perk up significantly since the arrival of Dean Smith before Christmas, however they are still immersed in relegation trouble.
The Canaries have 16 points from 22 games played, with back to back wins over Everton and Watford in their last two games certainly improving the mood at Carrow Road.
It is a big ask for them to stay up however, with their financial and pulling power incomparable to some of the teams around them and they are the favourites to go down at 1.20. (Use the UK betting apps to get the best odds and bonuses).
Having the financial clout to get out of trouble is often as important as any managerial appointments and Newcastle United’s reported unlimited transfer budget could be a decisive factor.
Eddie Howe’s side have only won 2 games this season but with the likes of Chris Wood and Kieran Trippier coming in, they have been able to strengthen their squad significantly.
At 2.50, it would be somewhat of a shock to see Newcastle drop back into the Championship but with plenty of football to be played, anything can happen in the Premier League.