Troy fires up Toffees
Silva: I’m not worried about my reception at Watford..I’m used to crazy derbies in Athens
MARCO SILVA is ready for anything the Watford fans throw at him today after surviving his tour of duty in Greece with Olympiakos.
Silva claims any hostility generated in England is nothing compared to the violence and flare-throwing (below) he witnessed during his one season with Olympiakos when he won the Greek title three seasons ago.
He recalled how one Athens derby at Panathinaikos was abandoned before kick-off because of rioting by the home fans.
Another volatile clash with PAOK was called off when the PAOK fans threw flares and missiles, hitting one of his players.
Silva claims these incidents have prepared him for his first return to Vicarage Road since Watford sacked him last year and accused Everton of tapping him up.
“In Greece you play many, many derbies,” said the Everton boss. “Everything there is completely different. Here the organisation is different and it’s impossible for what happened there to happen here.
“One game against PAOK didn’t finish and one against Panathinaikos didn’t start!
“If you ask me about the reception, in football you have to be ready for everything. I’m ready for everything and my job is to make my players ready for a tough match.”
The Portuguese added: “I have to be honest with you, the game is not Watford v Marco Silva, it’s Watford v Everton Football Club.”
Watford recovered from a goal by Richarlison (right) to go 2-1 up at Goodison in December only to be pegged back in the 96th minute.
Hornets chief executive Scott Duxbury claims he will blank Silva if he sees him, while Troy Deeney has vowed to “kick the s**t” out of Everton. FROM BACK PAGE
Deeney has helped their game plan ahead of his first return to Vicarage Road since Watford sacked him and accused Everton of tapping him up. “I know some of the players already saw it,” said Silva. “They’re aware of it. “Each club can have their own strategy. Watford chose this strategy during the week. We have our strategy and let’s see on the pitch what will be the best strategy.”