Preston North End boss says Watford, Bournemouth and Norwich have the best squads in the Championship

Alex Neil thinks Preston North End will be facing two of the strongest squads in the Championship in the next few days.
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The Lilywhites hit the road to play Watford at Vicarage Road on Saturday, then head to Bournemouth next Tuesday.

Both are back playing at this level after five seasons in the Premier League and Neil says their squads remain full of top-flight quality – as does that of Norwich, the other relegated club.

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Rather than being daunted by the tough double header, the North End manager is looking forward to meeting the challenge.

Watford winger Ismaila Sarr in action against Stoke CityWatford winger Ismaila Sarr in action against Stoke City
Watford winger Ismaila Sarr in action against Stoke City

Neil said: The three best squads in the league for me are the three clubs who came down. That is by some distance, I don’t think there is anyone close to them.

“I know Brentford are strong but they have lost a couple of key players.

“They have replaced really well with Ivan Toney but I still believe, having watched a lot of games, Watford, Bournemouth and Norwich have the best squads.

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“Watford are starting to get to the stage where guys who weren’t predominantly featuring because they felt they were moving on, are coming back into the team – Andre Gray, Ismaila Sarr, Troy Deeney, guys like that.

PNE manager Alex NeilPNE manager Alex Neil
PNE manager Alex Neil

“They had a couple of players missing on Wednesday night because of Covid tests but they have strength in depth, they’ve got Premier League players.”

Sarr was linked with a move to Liverpool during the summer, before the Anfield club switched target and signed Diego Jota instead.

It is that kind of quality which Neil references when analysing squad strength.

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Said Neil: “You look at Sarr – Liverpool and Manchester United were potentially looking to sign him for £40m or £50m.

“That is the quality they have but when you look at results across the division, everyone in the Championship is capable of beating anyone.”

Overseeing Watford’s bid to get back to the Premier League at the first time of asking is Vladimir Ivic.

The Serbian was appointed in August after two seasons in charge of Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv. He had previously coached PAOK in Greece, a club he served as a player.

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Watford are fifth in the table having fought out a 0-0 draw with Bristol City at Ashton Gate on Wednesday.

They are unbeaten in four games, the midweek draw coming after a 1-1 draw with QPR and 3-2 home wins over Coventry and Stoke.

Ivic’s men are strong at home, with five victories and a draw from their six matches at Vicarage Road.

The summer and autumn transfer window saw some big-money departures from the Hornets – Abdoulaye Doucoure sold to Everton for £20m being one of the sales.

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They did some incoming business too, including loan deals for Manchester United’s young midfielder James Garner and experienced striker Glenn Murray from Watford.

Their top scorer is Joao Pedro with four league goals.

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