'This geezer': Marco Silva is the perfect fit for Watford

Watford is fourth in the Premier League after beating Arsenal at Vicarage Road for the first time since November 1987. The Hornets are buzzing, and it should come as no surprise to anyone who is well-versed in Marco Silva's managerial history.

When Silva arrived at Hull City last season, Paul Merson reacted viscerally and in a manner that was later condemned as being xenophobic. "Why does it always got to be a foreign manager?" the ex-footballer asked. "I've got nothing against foreign managers. Don't get me wrong. When (Jurgen) Klopp come in, Pep (Guardiola), these are top-drawer managers.

"What is this geezer any different to Gary Rowett?"

It didn't take long for Merson to eat his words. Silva ultimately failed to keep Hull in the Premier League during his 140-day spell with the Tigers, but the Portuguese manager proved he deserves to be in English football's top flight, tallying six victories in 18 league games while becoming a popular figure among the club's supporters.

As the Guardian's Louise Taylor explained, Silva followed the blueprint that he used at Estoril Praia SAD, Sporting Clube de Portugal, and Olympiacos, which involves a commitment to science, data analysis, and micro-managed training sessions.

Tom Huddlestone, then at Hull, praised Silva, saying: "Wherever the ball is on the pitch and whatever system we play we know exactly what is and what isn't required of us, with an without the ball. With the amount of information he's put into us there are no excuses."

Silva also holds a reputation for resurrecting footballers who are believed to be dead. Under his management, Estoril conquered Portuguese football's second division with a squad that consisted of, as Taylor put it, "discards, free transfers, and apparent oddballs." The club didn't stop there, finishing fifth in the Primeira Liga and qualifying for the Europa League.

These qualities make Silva a perfect fit for Watford. When he was appointed as the Hornets manager, the club, just like Hull last season, lacked stability. Walter Mazzarri's time at Vicarage Road was a disaster. Not only was he unpopular among supporters, he didn't speak any English and oversaw a late-season slump that resulted in a 17th-place finish. The club barely avoided relegation.

Watford required someone with a blueprint, and Silva's plan was ideal for a club in need of firmness.

It didn't take long for Silva to endear himself to Watford supporters. He is far more personable than Mazzarri and learned English during his time in Greece. Players warmed up to him quickly, too.

Sebastian Prodl acknowledged there's a big difference between Silva and Mazzarri, declaring: "He's different to the last two coaches we had. I think he's very clear in his opinion of how to play football. He's very demanding: he wants a lot of discipline, not only on the pitch but also off the pitch, which means respecting the rules outside of the pitch, be on time, these king of things."

Character and communication are obviously important qualities, but the results are defining Silva's spell at Watford. The Hornets are swarming one club after another on the road while producing some of the most entertaining football in the Premier League. Stoppage-time goals are a weekly occurrence, and Richarlison is the most colourful footballer to take the pitch at Vicarage Road in a long time.

Rowett wouldn't be doing the job that Silva is doing, and Merson knows it.