Hornets boss hails spot-on Deeney
NIGEL PEARSON praised golden-boy Troy Deeney after the Watford captain’s two penalties fired the Hornets to the brink of safety.
Pearson admitted Deeney had been “hurt” by criticism of his performances since football emerged from lockdown.
But after Watford’s second turnaround from going behind in four days, the Hornets boss celebrated his Troy wonder’s priceless goals.
He said: “When criticism comes his way, he is hurt by it. But as our captain he is prepared to absorb pressure on behalf of others.
“There’s always doubt, when penalties are given, about players being confident enough or being able to handle the pressure but I don’t think there was any doubt that Troy was committed to taking them both.
“It’s great for us that he is a player who is prepared to take the responsibility.
“Troy Deeney is someone who embraces pressure, he does not shirk responsibility and good for him. I am pleased for him. But our job isn’t finished.”
Newcastle manager Steve Bruce was angry about both Watford spot-kicks after Matt Ritchie and Javier Manquillo were penalised for less-than-brutal challenges in the box.
Bruce said: “Our first half was very, very good and the second-half performance... they are given a huge lifeline – both the penalties.
“All this nonsense we’ve got with VAR. It’s supposed to be clear and obvious. I’ll let other people make their minds up but they looked remarkably soft to me.
“I don’t know why we don’t ask the referee to look at the monitor. Why has he got to go to VAR in the studio, where someone else is just going to back him up, what’s the point?”