What’s in the sack?

IVIC AXED AFTER DEENEY ROW

VLADIMIR IVIC has been given the sack at Watford following a bust-up that led to captain Troy Deeney being sidelined at Huddersfield.

Deeney was dropped for this largely self- inflicted defeat for “discipline issues”.

And it proved to be nononsense Serbian coach Ivic’s final act after just four months in charge.

The Hornets manager’s bold move to relegate Deeney to the bench has left Vicarage Road chiefs unimpressed – with his results also under the microscope, as the club eyes an instant Premier League return.

And with Ivic shown the door last night, Watford are on the lookout for their 14th different full- time manager in just nine years under their trigger-happy owners.

Discussing his decision to drop Deeney ahead of his sacking, Ivic said: “First of all, he didn’t start because he played the previous four games for 90 minutes.

“Why he did not come off the bench was because of disciplinary reasons.”

Ivic added: “This is between us, and I don’t want to speak about some things to the media.

“I said from the first day, I’m here to do my best and to work to do what’s best for the club, together with my players.

“Nobody and no one can be above the club in my team when I’m coach.”

The absence of Deeney – an influential dressingroom figure – was a serious blow, the talismanic striker having scored in their three previous games.

Without him, Watford gifted Huddersfield both their goals through some Keystone Cops defending.

First Isaac Mbenza charged down Ben Foster’s dallied clearance and the bal l fel l for Fraizer Campbell to stroke home into the unguarded net after nine minutes. That stung the Hornets into action but they found rookie keeper Ryan Schofield in defiant mood.

He saved James Garner’s point-blank effort, when the Manchester United loanee should have scored, and Andre Gray’s nearpost header. Tom Cleverley and Etienne Capoue shot narrowly wide too before another Watford clanger.

Capoue was under little pressure when he sliced Isaac Mbenza’s corner into his own net on 32 minutes.

Watford stepped up the pressure in the second half but 21-year-old Schofield shone to keep them at bay, including with a fine pointblank stop from Gray at the death.

Delighted Huddersfield manager Carlos Corberan said: “The performance of Schofield was key to us winning this game. He showed his skills.

“I will give the players two days off now – and it will feel like a holiday!”