TALKING’S JUST WAT WE NEED
TROY DEENEY revealed Watford players have held “uncomfortable conversations” to clear the air after the worst week of their season.
Listless defeats against Burnley and Southampton (bottom) have left the Hornets just a point above the drop zone ahead of today’s date with Chelsea, where they have not won since 1986.
And morale was damaged by three players being fined for flouting lockdown rules by attending striker Andre Gray’s birthday party (below).
Skipper
Deeney
(above) admitted there were no holds barred in the dressing room as boss Nigel Pearson called for his faltering squad to shape up – and return to the performance levels when he took over last December.
Deeney said: “We’ve had chats – everyone was frustrated so we’ve tried to park it as quickly as we can, but there’s certainly been a lot of things said.
“We’re not blind, we know it’s not been good enough and the season as a whole hasn’t been good enough. But it’s still in our hands and if we can stay up, we can review in the summer how we make sure this never happens again.
“We’re working hard, we’re having difficult and uncomfortable conversations, but we also know it’s not just about talking – it’s about getting down to work and making sure we can end the season on a high. There’s always been a determination to put things right and next week is going to be a big week with Chelsea and two home games we have following that.
“It doesn’t help anybody if people are not speaking up and saying what’s on their minds.
“Everyone wants to win, no-one’s playing bad on purpose, but if you don’t get to the required standards you’re going to get called out – and that’s ultimately what’s happened.”
Party dimwits Gray, Nat Chalobah and Domingos Quina are all available to play, but Watford first-team coach Craig Shakespeare does not share Deeney’s interpretation of the dressing-room inquests.
Shakespeare said: “I disagree with him to a certain extent. I found them really comfortable. I think they’re constructive.
“We are all men, we all take things on the chin and move on. That’s what we have been expressing.
“Players have been given the opportunity to speak openly and honestly and we, as staff, have had our say too.
“I have been pleasantly surprised with the way things have been on the training pitch – no doom and gloom, there are smiles, which we want.
“But we also want that drive to make sure we put performances in that reflect our character as well. So ‘uncomfortable’ discussions? I know what Troy means, but I’ve found them constructive, open and honest.”