Hornets urged to be better on road
WATFORD manager Xisco Munoz has called on his side to improve their poor away form as they head into tonight’s Championship trip to face Stoke City.
The Hornets, who boast the country’s best home record this season with 10 wins from 13 games, will move into second place behind table-toppers Norwich City if they win in Staffordshire.
But despite their impressive home results, Munoz’s squad have taken only 11 points out of a possible 33 on the road this term.
“We know this is our moment to change the situation,” Munoz told the club’s website.
“It’s difficult. Everyone knows that we don’t have good numbers away.
“We need to change our mentality away. At home we have perfect numbers, but we need to get the balance. We need to have the same intensity as we have at home.
“We will need to work hard as Stoke are a good team. It is important we continue our style, improving and getting better. This will be a very good game.”
Goalkeeper Ben Foster will miss out for the Hornets due to a finger problem.
Domingos Quina has a hamstring issue, while Christian Kabasele has a knee issue.
Striker Stipe Perica is back in solo training but not ready for a firstteam return, while Isaac Success is also still on the sidelines.
Stoke have slipped to eighth in the division, having failed to win in their previous five League outings.
“We know that we have been drawing too many games recently,” said Potters manager Michael O’Neill.
“We feel we should be six to eight points better off than we are, but we are not.
“We have to address that and the only way to do that is to start winning games. The sooner we do that, the sooner we will give ourselves a better chance to squeeze into the play-off situation.”
Steven Fletcher will require a late fitness check ahead of tonight’s match.
The 33-year-old Scotland striker sustained a minor knock in Tuesday night’s 3-3 draw with Rotherham United.
Defender Ryan Shawcross is back in light training after recovering from Covid-19 symptoms but will not be ready to face the Hornets.
Lee Gregory is expected back in full training on Monday, so will another to miss the game.