A MAZZA OF COMMUNICATION

WATFORD are, without a doubt, the most cosmopolitan outfit in the Premier League.

The manager Walter Mazzarri is Italian and his English is limited.

But maybe that is not so much of a handicap, bearing in mind his squad.

On a daily basis, Mazzarri has to deal with players from England, Argentina, France, Colombia, Brazil, Germany, Lithuania, Austria, Holland, a Kosovo-born Swiss, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uruguay, Ecuador, Algeria, Romania, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, the Ivory Coast and Italy.

And, yet, a possible lack of communication does not seem to have hindered the club.

Going into the Christmas-New Year programme, they stand in a respectable 12th place. That puts them above clubs with considerably more resources, such as West Ham, Sunderland and even champions Leicester.

And that means one of two things – either football truly is an international language or Mazzarri works that tactics board like a maestro.

What Watford have shown is that they have resilience.

And with a character like Troy Deeney in the squad, there is unlikely to be any shortage of commitment and encouragement.

Watford take on Crystal Palace on Boxing Day.

With what has happened at Palace during the last few days, it should be a most intriguing fixture.