With Rob Edwards in the Vicarage Road dugout, Watford are seemingly heading in a new direction this summer.

Looking to shake off the hire and fire reputation that the club have become infamous for over the last decade, the hope is that with the appointment of a young, British head coach, something can be built over the longer term.

Only time will tell whether or not appointing Edwards pans out, however, the club must back him in the transfer market and provide him with the tools to be a success this summer.

Head coaches at Watford do not get much of a say in transfer dealings, but one man that Rob Edwards could be interested in working with again is Forest Green Rovers full-back Kane Wilson.

Indeed, the Watford Observer suggested as much yesterday, and the 22-year-old could be a transfer that is well worth pursuing for the Hornets this summer for a variety of reasons.

Femenia set to depart?

Firstly, there is speculation over the future of current Watford right-back Kiko Femenia.

The Spaniard excelled in the Championship when the Hornets won promotion to the Premier League in 2020/21, and was just pipped to the player of the year award that season by Ismaila Sarr.

However, reports from the continent suggest that the 31-year-old's time in Hertfordshire could come to an end, with plenty of suitors back in his homeland.

If Femenia departs, that would leave Jeremy Ngakia as the Hornets' only senior right-back, and although he has displayed the ability to suggest he is a solid option at this level, the attacking side of his game could perhaps do with some work.

If Rob Edwards deploys the same system at Watford that he did at Forest Green, the wing-back's in his side are tasked with being key creators, and this is perhaps not the best role for Ngakia.

Creative threat

One man who has obviously thrived in that system previously was Kane Wilson last season at Forest Green Rovers.

Playing as a right-wing-back at The New Lawn Stadium, Wilson accumulated an impressive 14 assists in League Two last campaign as Forest Green were promoted to League One as champions.

 

 

Wilson had never put up anything close to these numbers previously, perhaps demonstrating that Edwards' system really gets the best out of him.

Whilst there is undoubtedly a significant step up from League Two to the Championship, it is clear that Wilson's abilities are beyond the fourth tier, and given his contract situation, it may be a risk worth taking for Watford this summer.

Free transfer

The 22-year-old's Forest Green contract is due to expire later this month, meaning he will be available on a free transfer for any club that wants to secure his signature.

This also plays into Watford's hands in the sense that the Hornets like to spend as little as possible and act as shrewdly as they can in the transfer market.

Ultimately, this one should, but admittedly probably won't, come down to Rob Edwards' judgement.

The question is essentially whether or not he feels Kane Wilson is good enough to make the step up from the top of League Two to a club that want to compete at the top of the Championship.

If Edwards feels the answer to that question is yes, Watford should really consider bringing Kane Wilson to Vicarage Road this summer and making the 22-year-old the first signing of what they hope is a new era in WD18.