VLAD ALL OVER

Hornets are off to a fine start, but hard-line boss Ivic demands far more

VLADIMIR IVIC has exactly the same record as his predecessor Nigel Pearson after six games – so there is no danger of him getting carried away by Watford’s fine start to the season.

Pearson took 13 points from his first half- dozen matches in charge at Vicarage Road last term, but was sacked with two games to go after results tailed off and the Hornets were relegated.

Hard-line Serbian Ivic is demanding more from his young side and warned they face their biggest test yet when Bournemouth – who suffered the same fate as Watford in July – visit at lunchtime today.

Wednesday night’s 3-1 win over Blackburn lifted Ivic into the top three, but so far the Hornets’ results have often been better than their performances.

Ivic said: “We can be satisfied with the results – maybe we could have taken some extra points but, in the first six games, we’ve had virtually a new squad. If you see who started last ‘NEW RICHARLISON’ Teenager Joao Pedro has scored three goals in his last four games

OFF TO A FLYER New Watford boss Vladimir Ivic hugs Ken Sema season compared to this season, only seven or eight players.

“I am happy with the young players who have joined us, worked hard and shown their quality.

“We know that in Bournemouth we have to face a quality team who have played together for a lot of years, and have a coach ( Jason Tindall) who has worked with them a lot of years.

“It will be a tough game, like every game between two teams relegated from the previous season. Both of us have the same target this year – to get promoted.

“Bournemouth are in a similar situation to us – they were relegated and want to go back up. They have a lot of quality players, but I believe in my guys and we’ll give our best, like in every game.”

Brazilian striker Joao Pedro, 19, already looks like a £3.6million bargain after scoring three goals in his last four games. Like Richarlison, the forward Watford signed for £11m in 2017 and sold to Everton for £35m 12 months later, Pedro was picked up from Fluminense in Rio by the Hornets’ overseas scouting network.

Ivic added: “He is a quality striker, who has scored three goals already and he’s missed two or three chances as well. For me, it’s important strikers have chances because it means they are working hard.” it’s