Marco needs a central perk
WATFORD are down to the bare bones and Marco Silva is fearing the worst over their latest defensive crisis.
The unbeaten Hornets can go top for the first time in 35 years by beating Manchester City today. But their problems at the back have come at the worst possible time as they try to stop a free-scoring City side.
Manager Silva will be forced to field a makeshift back four in a repeat of last season’s final game against the same opposition.
Watford lost 5-0 that day in what proved to be Walter Mazzarri’s final game in charge, and Silva said: “We analysed what happened and for the last game there were six centre-backs missing through injury.
“Until now I have had to use six centrebacks already in four games, which is not a normal situation.
“We tried to sign one more during the market because we know some of the players here have had some problems in the past. We want to keep everybody fit but so far we have not been able to play the same two centre-backs from one game to the next.”
Watford will be without the injured Younes Kaboul, Craig Cathcart and Sebastian Prodl, while Miguel Britos is banned.
Pep Guardiola, meanwhile, has called on his City stars to show they can grind out domestic wins following midweek European outings.
“When we are able to do that, then I will feel we have made a step forward to become a better team,” he said.