Head coach Walter Mazzarri wants Watford to channel anger against Leicester



The Hornets were swept aside at Anfield before the international break, as the Reds moved to the top of the table

The result matched the club's worst in the Premier League and Mazzarri is expecting a response from his players when they get back into action at Vicarage Road

"I hope if the team is angry, as I am, then we will have a good game in terms of the way they play," the Italian said at a press conference

"At the end of the day, a game can be decided on some individual episodes, but if they are as angry as me it will be a great performance.

"Unfortunately the loss against Liverpool came just before the break and the only time I managed to see the whole squad has been only since Wednesday.

"I have spoken to then and I can guarantee the game against Leicester will be completely different.

"What I said to the players stays within the dressing room

They know what happened and what I said - but now it's up to them to go and show me they understood what I want, and I have no doubt they do.

"I expect a game completely different from the one we had against Liverpool, but I want them to show it on the pitch rather than me talk about it."

The loss to Liverpool brought to an end Watford's four-match unbeaten Premier League run, which had lifted them into the top half of the table.

While Leicester have impressed on their debut in the Champions League this season, the Foxes are struggling for consistency in the Premier League, sitting in 14th

Mazzarri said: "It is difficult for them with playing in the Champions League with the same team, it is difficult for them to repeat what they did last year

"This was a football miracle last season, it is very difficult to repeat the same this year and I am sure Claudio knows this as well."

Former Napoli and Inter Milan boss Mazzarri is relishing the prospect of coming up against fellow Italian Claudio Ranieri in the dugout

He said of the Leicester manager: "He is a person I consider as a friend and I respect very much

"Aside from being a great manager, he is also a great person

"I am not the kind of manager who has in depth relations with other managers, we have always talked professionally, but with Ranieri that has always been with more confidence."

Source : PA

Source: PA