Watford FC: Tom Cleverley will be begging for one Vakoun Bayo improvement – View.
Vakoun Bayo began the season as a first-team starter for Watford FC, but has since found himself on the Hornets’ bench.
Despite several opportunities, the Ivorian striker has only scored once all season.
Tom Cleverley has subsequently responded by giving Daniel Jebbison and Kwadwo Baah more playing time, while the 27-year-old must show himself worthy of a comeback with brief cameos off the bench.
With his profligacy in front of goal costing his team at times this season, Cleverley will be hopeful that his actions will result in a more clinical Bayo emerging in the months ahead, with the underlying data demonstrating where the error lies.
Vakoun Bayo’s lack of innovation is harming Watford.
While Watford has had a strong start to the season, winning five of their nine league games, there is always potential for growth, with Bayo finishing at the top of the list.
Despite having an xG rating of 3.1, the striker has only scored one goal this season, which came in a 2-1 victory against Derby County in August.
In a 2-1 win over Sunderland last month, he struggled to score with only two attempts on target, both of which were saved by Anthony Patterson.
With the likes of Jebbison and Baah waiting in the wings, Cleverley has bided his time and given his striker patience, but a lack of cutting-edge up top has left him with little choice but to go with an alternative up top, in the hopes of making their dominance in games count.
With the Hornets surpassing their xG by 1.0 goal this season, Bayo appears to be the dominant influence in leveling out their potency in front of goal, which cannot be afforded in the midst of a potential promotion charge.
| Vakoun Bayo 24/25 Championship stats (FBRef) | |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 9 |
| Starts | 6 |
| Goals | 1 |
| Assists | 0 |
| xG | 3.1 |
| Shots/90 | 2.99 |
Bayo has only scored 11 goals in 72 appearances for Watford. With other options available, the club’s performance has improved without his presence.
That is not to suggest he will not play a part as the season develops, but his time as a regular starter must be restricted if the Hornets are to achieve the desired outcomes.
Where Vakoun Bayo ranks in the Championship xG ratings.
While he has consistently failed to finish his supper this season, Bayo is far from alone in his inability to convert on great opportunities to score for his team.
The forward’s predicted goal deficit is among the worst in the league so far this season, with misfiring Elijah Adebayo [pictured] topping the charts with 3.4 expected goals, having failed to touch the back of the net for Luton Town on their return to the Championship.
Kieffer Moore, Emmanuel Latte Lath, and Finn Azaz are among Bayo’s top five scorers, indicating his ability to get into scoring positions. However, his finishing touch is sometimes lacking.
Jebbison is the next-highest Watford player with a deficit of 0.7 goals this season. However, he already has three assists and will certainly improve his goalscoring instincts with more time in the starting lineup.
Having a striker capable of converting opportunities might be the difference between Watford being promotion candidates and also-rans this season, and if Bayo stays in the team for the long term, the latter is the more likely outcome.
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