Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Hornets’ first win has sting in the tale
WILL HUGHES last night warned Watford they are still deep in trouble – despite breaking their 202-day drought without a Premier League win.
Former England Under-21 midfielder Hughes played a key role in the 2-0 win at Norwich on Friday as the Hornets became the last side in all four divisions to taste victory this season.
It was Watford’s first three-point haul since April 20 and probably saved head coach Quique Sanchez Flores from the sack just two months into his second coming at Vicarage Road.
But Hughes admitted: “It’s more relief than anything – but we’re not kidding ourselves. We know we’re still in a very difficult position.
“We’re still adrift from safety so we need to keep our heads down.
“This result will mean nothing if we don’t repeat it against Burnley and Southampton in our next two games.
“It’s only natural to have a dip in confidence after so many poor results in a row – even though our performances haven’t always warranted the results.
“But it’s difficult getting that first win after such a long time, going back into last season, so hopefully this is the start of our season.
“We can get our heads up and move up the table from here.
“If it’s 202 days since our previous win, that’s far too long.”
Flores was re-hired to shore up Watford’s porous defence, and he suffered an eight-goal humiliation at Manchester City in only his second game.
But three clean sheets in the last five matches have given the Hornets a basis for revival, and he said: “I hope we can create the spirit of a solid team playing well.”
One blot on Watford’s excursion to East Anglia was defender Christian Kabasele’s second-half dismissal.
The Hornets have now stockpiled 17 red cards since their return to the top flight in 2015 – more than any other club in the Premier League.