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Whilst a number of Watford's young players have headed out on loan in the past month, Dion Pereira has remained at Vicarage Road.

The young winger made his debut at Leicester City last season, before playing on the final day of the season against Manchester City too.

At Leicester, he impressed during his short time on the pitch and was placed firmly on the radar of many Watford fans.

This season, though, he has not been anywhere near the first team squad and has spent his time plying his trade for the U23s.

He was one of the players who would have been keen to move out on loan and test himself in senior football, however, that didn't happen.

Reporter Matt Storey kept a close eye on the winger during the U23s 1-0 defeat to Blackburn Rovers to see how he is progressing.

On the ball

First real touch in the opposition half saw him surrounded by three men and got himself into trouble - but won a free-kick.

Pereira ried to beat his full-back moments later and was fouled again. Next time he beat his man on the right he managed to get away and got a low cross into the box which was cleared for a corner.

Just before the break he picked up the ball around 25 yards away from goal, turned and tried to shift the ball into his left foot. He was hacked down by Willem Tomlinson and won a free-kick, which his team-mates did not make the most of.

One-two with Harvey Bradbury right at the start of the second half saw him get in behind his full back and he delivered a dangerous cross to the back post. Unfortunately it was cleared behind just as David Sesay looked to pounce.

Another lovely turn just inside his own half saw John Buckley take him out and booked for his troubles, as Pereira continued to show his ability

A good bit of pressing saw him win the ball back 40 yards from goal and he slipped the ball to Sesay, who looked to be fouled as he went to shoot on the edge of the area, but the referee gave nothing.

Played through on the right this time, as he and Sesay swapped wings, didn't quite have the pace to get away from the Rovers man though and saw his cross blocked and cleared when, perhaps, he should have done better.

As the clock ticked into injury time, Pereira went closest to grabbing an equaliser for the Hornets. He did well to control a powerful Sesay cross and fired in a shot from a tight angle, only for Fisher to palm the ball away.

Defensive duties

Covered a run well on Rovers' first attack and cut out the pass whilst giving away the corner.

That bit of good work was followed by him jumping out of a tackle in the middle of the park as Rovers broke from a corner, before getting turned easily as Watford cleared from their own lines.

He was more diligent going back after the break, however, after an initial scare when he allowed Tomlinson too much space and he delivered a pinpoint ball down the line for his winger..

Did really well to steal the ball off Daniel Butterworth in the corner, won a couple of tackles in the middle of the pitch and harried the full-back more regularly.

This was shown when he won the ball back as mentioned above.

Verdict

It is clear that when he is on the ball, Pereira is one of the most talented, if not the most talented player, in the side.

He has quick enough feet to beat men when given the chance and has an array of flicks and short passes that played his team-mates in.

There were a couple of times when an extra yard of pace would have added to his game, as defenders got back to block crosses or cut out passes.

He never drifted out of the game at Wealdstone though and was always ready to pick up the ball or come inside and try to influence proceedings.

Defensively, it was a typical winger's performance. At times he tracked back and put in a good tackle, however, he often had to be reminded to follow his runner or fill in.

Pereira is a talented teenager, that much is for certain, however, he needs senior minutes.

The rough and tumble of lower-league football will either make or break Pereira and he will be desperate for a loan next season.

Could he make an impact at Watford? It'll be tough. But he's still young and if he can deal with a more physical game, you never know.