It’s looking like game over

ROY HODGSON stood with a rueful smile at the finish.

He is now staring relegation – and probably the end of his fine managerial career – in the face. And judging by his bleak post-match assessment it appears even ex-England manager Hodgson fears the worst for his Watford side.

They are now six points adrift of safety having lost nine in a row at Vicarage Road.

In truth they only have themselves to blame for an abysmal performance at both ends of the pitch as Raphinha, Rodrigo and Jack Harrison guided Leeds to victory.

When asked whether he was still confident Watford could beat the drop, Hodgson, 74, said: “I’ve never used the word ‘confident,’ I can’t identify with that statement.

“We have no reason to be confident. We do have reason to believe, we do have reason to have faith, we do have reason to think we’re not that bad and results are a distinct possibility for us.

“I don’t think anyone at Norwich, Burnley or even Everton will be saying they are confident. But of course Everton and Leeds have got results and given themselves such a good margin that makes their position so much better than ours.

“I don’t have an answer to our run at home. The mood amongst our players isn’t bad but I can guess it is amongst the fans.

“What we have to do is put this game and result behind us and hope it doesn’t affect the games to come too deeply.”

Watford’s start did little to inspire confidence as Ben Foster’s poor kick went straight to Harrison but he slipped at the crucial moment.

Then Luke Ayling headed over from a Stuart Dallas corner before the Hornets