FOR those of us of a certain age, Watford means ascending the English football ladder from fourth tier to first. It is synonymous with Graham Taylor, John Barnes and of course former owner, Sir Elton John.

Nowadays, the club belongs to the Italian Pozzo family, well established in Serie A circles for many years. The training ground and on pitch responsibilities fall on the shoulders of the Spaniard, Javi Gracia, and it is a reasonable bet that, were he still with us, the always affable and highly- underrated Mr Taylor would be singing the incumbent’s praises.

Granted we are early in this Premier League season but that Watford find themselves with an unblemished record is unquestionably one of the most remarkable and unlikely stories so far.

Tipped by some to go down and by others to face, at the very least, a struggle for their top-flight status, there has been something wonderfully old fashioned about the Hertfordshire club’s determination to do things their way. The Hornets have gone about the business of stinging the opposition, most recently wounding a very able Tottenham team who didn’t relish the in-your-face approach by their hosts in a riveting second half at Vicarage Road.

A few things stand out when you watch Watford. For starters, they line up in a formation title-chasing sides frequently eschew. Four-four-two was the default system in club football for decades and Gracia makes the most of his available squad with a balanced side emphasising physical qualities and organisation. Not coincidentally, the same starting XI has been fielded in all four Premier League matches. Experience is valued over youth, in a team containing the highest average age of any side in the top division.

The spine of the team comprises goalkeeper Ben Foster and central defenders Craig Cathcart and Christian Kabesele. But equally significant are the two midfield “minders” in front of them. Abdoulaye Doucoure and Etienne Capoue. Then the front pair, featuring Troy Deeney and Andre Gray are not afraid of scrapping their way to victory. Both men personify Watford’s unashamedly battling spirit.

You might ask where the creative figures are to be found. The wide midfielders, Will Hughes and Roberto Pereyra don’t go purely up and down the tram lines and through this shuffling around can pose problems for opposing defences. The other key figure from the production point of view has been left-back Jose Holebas who has scored once while setting up four goals. His deliveries have been first rate and a big reason why Watford are a team to be feared in terms of deftly-constructed set-pieces.

It is surely too early to suggest they can do what Leicester did three seasons ago, but there is every reason to believe the Hornets can be this campaign’s Burnley, who surprised the field by finishing seventh with a seemingly limited squad.

As with Sean Dyche at Turf Moor, Watford have a manager in Gracia who understands what he’s got and how to make best use of his players. There is something decidedly vertical about their play and a fierce determination to capitalise on mistakes by the other team.

That Gracia came in midway through last season allowed him and the team the chance to be well versed in each other. So far, among the Premier League starters, only Foster, signed from relegated West Brom, can be described as a newcomer.

Manchester United come to town next weekend and having taken care of Spurs, there is understandable excitement that Watford can put another member of the big six to the sword.

SCOTLAND have made history by reaching the Women’s World Cup for the first time but it is as yet unclear as to whether the tournament, to be staged in France next summer, will get its first taste of VAR.

On gender equality grounds alone, there is no question video assistance, having been afforded the men in Russia last year, should also be granted to the women’s tournament.

The main driver of VAR is Jill Ellis, coach of the defending world champions, the United States. Ellis, English-born but a naturalised US citizen, while on a fact-finding trip to Russia in July, made a strong case for VAR while admitting her fears that Fifa may elect not to implement it for France 2019. Ellis though is calling for a movement to champion use of video replays on fairness grounds.

At the 2015 Women’s World Cup in Canada, there was an outcry over the decision to make players play on artificial turf, rather than natural grass, something that would be unthinkable in the men’s game.

Fifa have until now, used all women refereeing teams at their showpiece event and there are doubts as to whether there is a sufficient number of officials up to exacting World Cup standard, given the additional numbers needed to staff the video assistance room, without additional training.

Readying officials for VAR duty is a time-consuming and costly business. Ellis has said she has no problem with male referees already used to the nuances of VAR in their home countries, working on video assistance in France. It is unknown

if that view is shared by her counterparts around the world.

A good advert for VAR was the recent friendly involving Ellis and her US players. They beat Chile 3-0 but had three goals disallowed that would likely have been given had video evidence been part of the equation.

To me, common sense says it is win-win for Fifa to say yes to VAR for the Women’s World Cup. The technology will be there in the form of multiple cameras for international broadcast feeds. Fans are already accustomed to seeing it, too.

But it needs the green light now, so as to allow for the best possible use of it. If it means temporarily having men assist with the VAR process in year one, so be it.