MAZZARRI FACING A FIGHT TO KEEP JOB
WATFORD manager Walter Mazzarri is under growing pressure to keep his job as players fear the Italian is feeling the strain of their alarming slump. The Hornets have picked up just four points from a possible 24 in their last eight Premier League games, raising fears within the boardroom that they could be sucked into a fight against relegation. Mazzarri’s role is coming under increased scrutiny, with the Italian facing the axe if he does not halt the club’s worrying slide down the table. And there are growing doubts among staff at the club’s London Colney HQ that the former Inter Milan manager can stop the rot. The 55-year-old is said to have become increasingly snappy around the camp in recent weeks, with some members of the team believing he is starting to show signs of cracking under the pressure. Earlier this month
Sportsmail revealed how players fear burn-out due to the manager’s gruelling training regime. Watford have 11 players on the injury list, which Mazzarri has highlighted as a reason behind their slump. But behind the scenes at Vicarage Road, there is a belief that Mazzarri’s tough training methods are contributing to the injuries and poor form. Some players feel they would benefit from some lighter sessions and more rest days to ensure energy levels are at their highest on matchdays. Matters on the training field haven’t been helped by Mazzarri’s difficulties in communicating with his players. The Italian still hasn’t got a firm enough grasp on English to convey instructions to his players and so relies on his coaches to get the message across to the squad. Despite the injury concerns, Mazzarri will not start new signing Tom Cleverley against Middlesbrough today. Midfielder Cleverley, signed on loan from Everton, has started only four league games this season.