AHEAD OF THE GAME

WATFORD BOSS ON BORROWED TIME…BEFORE HIS FIRST GAME!

Watford’s players are already speculating about how long manager Vladimir Ivic will survive in the job, before his first competitive match in charge.

the 43-year- old has made few allies in the dressing room so far, with a number of players privately complaining about his aloof manner and their impression that he has run them into the ground during pre-season.

Ivic was appointed in august as Watford’s fourth permanent manager in less than 12 months, with Javi Gracia and Quique sanchez flores both sacked towards the beginning of last season before the extraordinary dismissal of Nigel Pearson with just two matches of the campaign remaining.

Hayden Mullins took temporary charge for the last two games, but was unable to prevent Watford’s relegation from the Premier League.

Watford begin their first Championship campaign for five years at home to Middlesbrough on friday.