SINK... OR SWIM
Torrential conditions don’t deter Roy from snatching point
A WET and bedraggled Roy Hodgson in weather fit for mermaids saw Watford batten down the hatches for the club’s first clean sheet in 31 Premier League games.
In monsoon conditions you wouldn’t send a dog out in, never mind a 74-yearold former England manager, this basement battle ended up as a stalemate – and not one for the purists.
On his managerial return, Hodgson (right) had waxed lyrical about mermaids and sirens. For both clubs, the only siren they can hear is the one warning of the Championship.
Forget about the magic of the FA Cup, this was all about the scrap for survival in the world’s richest league.
Hodgson is clearly up for the fight as he stood soaking wet in the technical area with his glasses clearly in need of some wipers to help his vision.
He admitted: “I’m realistic enough to know that, as happy as I am to take up the offer, there will be plenty of times I will think, ‘What on earth am I doing?’
“This is a really difficult place to come. I don’t think many will look forward to coming here. I saw enough to believe we can stay up, but we have a lot of catching up to do. I wasn’t too bothered about the weather, I was too engrossed in the game.
“I’ve had to deal with stress before and I will do so again.”
His players left Turf Moor in the belief referee Craig Pawson and
VAR had failed to act after the last piece of action before the break.
Pawson’s half-time whistle saw Burnley players sprint towards the tunnel while Watford’s surrounded the official, claiming Connor Roberts had handled a cross from Ken Sema in the box.
Pawson attempted to call back the fleeing Burnley contingent in the knowledge that VAR was coming into play.
Hodgson was glued to the big screen only to end up disappointed as it announced there would be no further action.
Minutes earlier, they couldn’t
I wasn’t too bothered about the weather, I was too engrossed in the game. I have dealt with stress before believe they hadn’t taken the lead which would have put the dampener on Ben Mee celebrating 10 years with the club.
A flick on by Joao Pedro from Edo Kayembe’s corner caused panic in the home ranks and Mee almost diverted into his own net, his central defensive mate James Tarkowski coming to the rescue. He caused a scare in his
own goalmouth later with a misdirected header under pressure, only just going past the post.
It was that sort of edgy affair in an evening which would have delighted relegation rivals Norwich City and Newcastle, with just a point apiece for the two combatants.
For Watford, it was only their second point since November 23, while, for Burnley, it’s about taking advantage of their games in hand.
It’s Manchester United up next here on Tuesday night.
Manager Sean Dyche has seen it all before in his 10 years at the club.
“Traditionally, we come stronger in the second half of the season,” he said.
“Both teams tried to play in the conditions. It was probably as bad as I’ve seen it.”
He saw new boy Wout Weghorst rattle the bar with the first piece of goalmouth action after the break.
The Dutchman’s effort from inside the area looped off Hassane Kamara only to strike the woodwork with Ben Foster beaten.
A lack of confidence in both sides made it an edgy affair – although Nick Pope did well to push a fierce strike from substitute Tom Cleverley around the post.