"A big blow" - Watford FC concerns raised following Angelo Ogbonna update | OneFootball

FLW's Watford fan pundit has given his reaction to the news that defender Angelo Ogbonna is set for a spell on the sidelines.

This article is part of Football League World’s 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Watford defender Angelo Ogbonna is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines after sustaining a hamstring injury.

Ogbonna joined Watford from West Ham United in the final week of the summer transfer window, and after making his debut in the 2-1 defeat at Manchester City in the EFL Cup last month, he had been starting to establish himself in the team.

The 36-year-old made 249 appearances during a successful nine-year spell at West Ham, while he also played for Torino, Crotone, Juventus and the Italian national team during his career, so it was a coup for the Hornets to convince him to make the move to Vicarage Road.

Watford head coach Tom Cleverley said that Ogbonna had been "fantastic and exactly what we need" after his impressive start to life at the club, but he is now expected to be out for the next six to eight weeks with a hamstring problem.

The news of Ogbonna's absence is a big blow to a Hornets side who have won just two of last eight league games, but despite that poor run of form, they are still ninth in the table, just three points from the play-off places ahead of Saturday's home game against Blackburn Rovers.

Watford fan pundit reacts to Angelo Ogbonna injury news

When asked how much of a blow it is to lose Ogbonna, FLW's Watford fan pundit Justin Beattie said that the Italian's experience and leadership qualities will be missed during his absence, and he raised concerns over whether Francisco Sierralta is a suitable replacement.

"I think it's a big blow that we've lost Ogbonna, he was beginning to grow into the leading role in our back line," Justin said.

"After we lost Wesley Hoedt, we desperately needed someone to come in and be the organiser at the back, which Ogbonna has been.

"I know he's mid-30s, but we desperately needed that experienced, strong centre-half, which he has been.

"With him out, it means that Francisco Sierralta will probably be coming in instead, and although he's quite an imposing figure, he lacks those big leadership qualities that Ogbonna has.

"I think it's a big blow for us."

Tom Cleverley will be frustrated by Angelo Ogbonna injury blow

It is difficult to disagree with Justin that Ogbonna's injury is a big blow for Watford, and the timing could not be much worse for Cleverley.

Ogbonna may be in the latter stages of his career, but he has certainly shown his quality during his time at Vicarage Road, and he played a crucial role in the Hornets' recent impressive home victories against Sunderland and Middlesbrough.

Watford have conceded 19 league goals this season, which is the joint-second highest in the Championship, and five of those have come in the last two games, so the last thing Cleverley needed was to lose one of his most experienced defenders.

Cleverley played Sierralta, Mattie Pollock and James Morris in a back three in the 2-1 defeat at Leeds United on Tuesday night, while he also has Ryan Porteous and Antonio Tikvic at his disposal, but none of those options are of the same standard as Ogbonna, so he is undoubtedly a huge loss.