Futures of Watford duo Ismaila Sarr and Joao Pedro in doubt ahead of Preston North End game

As with most clubs that are relegated from the Premier League, their spending is inflated compared to that of the rest of the division and with that comes the added expectation that they should succeed.

The Hornets spent just one season in the top flight after finishing second in the Championship two seasons ago, a season in which they beat PNE twice.

With being a Premier League side comes a greater ability to attract players and the Vicarage Road side are currently struggling against the adverse effects of it, with suitors in for a number of their players.

They recently lost Emmanuel Dennis to newly promoted Nottingham Forest, after the Nigerian scored 10 times last season.

He is not the only big name to be around in the Championship for Watford, with Ismaila Sarr and Joao Pedro so far still with Rob Edwards’ side, though there is of course interest.

So far Everton and Crystal Palace are the names in the fold for Sarr with Newcastle United in for Joao Pedro.

There will be plenty of money to reinvest should the pair leave, as Watford have the financial capability to hold on to them for at least a season to see if they can get themselves back into the top flight.

Sarr caught the eye recently having scored from just inside his own half against West Bromwich Albion and was missing for Watford’s last game against Birmingham City amongst the interest. He is expected to be fit to play this weekend against PNE.

Emmanuel Dennis has already been replaced, with the arrival of Keinan Davis on loan from Aston Villa and Watford also signed Leicester City midfielder Hamza Choudhury on loan last week, bolstering what was already a strong squad.

The futures of the fowards perviously mentioned will surely be the sub plot for the Londoners going into this weekend’s game but there is more than just transfers going on at Vicarage Road.

Rob Edwards is still settling into life as the new Hornets boss, after his controversial exit from Forest Green Rovers last season.

It is a big jump for the 39-year-old who steered Forest Green to the League Two title last time out.

Two wins and two draws from the opening four games of the season however suggests he will have no problems adapting to life at a bigger club with greater pressure.

Watford have won both of their home games so far this season, and have drawn both of their games away from home.

The aim this season will certainly be to get promoted back to the Premier League but Deepdale has not been a happy hunting ground for the Hornets.

Watford have won just once in the last 43 years in PR1, that victory coming last season, otherwise it is a fixture that North End can approach with confidence especially off the back of their performance against Rotherham United in midweek where Ryan Lowe’s men did everything but score.

It could be a good chance also for North End to test themselves against one of the favourites for promotion, with Lowe’s ambitions lying in the top six.