Watford boss Walter Mazzarri thinks club owner Gino Pozzo is happy with season

27 April 2017 07:39

Watford boss Walter Mazzarri feels Italian owner Gino Pozzo would be happy enough with his first season in charge, which has seen the team overcome injury problems to move towards mid-table security.

The Hornets are in 10th place with five matches to go on 40 points, which leaves them some nine clear of the relegation zone.

While not yet mathematically secure of another campaign in the top flight, it would take a remarkable turn of events for Mazzarri's team to now be dragged down into the scrap for survival.

Nevertheless, it has been suggested the former Napoli and Inter Milan coach, who replaced Spaniard Quique Sanchez Flores during the summer, could see his position come under scrutiny having failed to deliver a consistent run of form.

Watford lost away to relegation-threatened Hull last weekend, having beaten Swansea previously.

Mazzarri, though, believes his fellow Italian, whose family are also in charge at Udinese Calcio, fully understands the difficulties everyone at Vicarage Road has faced this season.

"On the basis of what has happened through the season, when you see all the injuries we have had, I think he is quite happy," Mazzarri said.

"Our target was to be mathematically safe and we still are not mathematically safe, (but) we are very near safety and that was our target for this season."

Mazzarri added: "We want to do better and better and value every performance.

"It is clear that when we lose games we should have won, we are not very happy."

Mazzarri is expecting a response when they host top-four contenders Liverpool on Monday night.

"They (Liverpool) be very angry, because they lost at home (to Crystal Palace)," the Italian said in a press conference as reported by the Hertfordshire Mercury.

"(But) I hope my players are more angry than them, because we lost our last game and (also) conceded six against Liverpool (at Anfield) earlier this year."

Watford will check on the fitness of defender Craig Cathcart, who has been carrying a knee problem, and also Swiss midfielder Valon Behrami who has just returned to the squad after a spell out with a hamstring injury.

Source: PA