MX23RW : Friday, December 13 11:14:48| >> :120:70927:70927:

Watford boss Xisco Munoz issues warning ahead of Wolves clash

Watford boss Xisco Munoz issues warning ahead of Wolves clash
© Reuters
Bruno Lage's side are yet to score a league goal or claim a point since he took over in the summer.

Watford boss Xisco Munoz is wary of Wolves' quality ahead of their visit to Vicarage Road on Saturday.

The Hornets have made a decent start to life back in the Premier League, winning against Aston Villa in their opener before back-to-back defeats away to Brighton and Tottenham, but the display at the latter was encouraging.

Xisco's side also beat Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup while Wolves have lost each of their three top flight fixtures to leave new boss Bruno Lage still waiting for a maiden league victory in charge of the Molineux outfit.

"I don't want the people to maybe think about that they have no points; no, no, no," the Watford head coach insisted.

"Yes, it is true they don't have points but they have very good players, a good style and a good manager.

"They are very good in transition and we need to give 100 per cent to take the points because it is important for us to continue with the same attitude as the last games, but also important we have a little more ambition to take points.

"We know we have in front a strong team and for sure it will be a good game. I think we need our fans even more for this important game. It is our second (league) game at home and we need everyone to live with passion and power from the first minute."

Saturday's match marks the beginning of a new era for Watford according to Xisco, after forward Troy Deeney was allowed to leave at the end of August.

It brought his 11-year chapter with the Hornets to a conclusion and the weekend is the first time the club will play since the departure of the long-serving captain.

Xisco has called on others to step up and fill the void of Deeney, who scored 140 goals during a successful spell at Vicarage Road. One player who could is attacker Joao Pedro, back fit again following a knee injury in the summer.

The Brazilian moved to England at the start of 2020 but struggled to make an impact initially before he shone in the Sky Bet Championship last season, scoring nine goals to help secure promotion.

"João has been working very hard in the past two months and he started (to train) with us this week, so we will see if we can put him in the list or not," Xisco added.

"He is very important for me because he is a flexible player. He understands the space behind the lines, can play as a winger or inside and is very talented.

"It's one of those players who sometimes can change a game from nothing. This is what we have and what we want from him."

Ozan Turfan could make his debut this weekend, but Ben Foster (hamstring) is injured and Francisco Sierralta's availability remains unknown while Watford continue to have dialogue with FIFA after Chile asked for the defender to be banned having missed international duty over the last week.

ID:463094:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect3808:
Written by
P A

Click here for more stories about Xisco

Click here for more stories about Watford

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Watford manager Xisco Munoz gives instructions to his players on August 24, 2021
Read Next:
Xisco Munoz feels Watford are beginning 'new era' after Troy Deeney departure
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
1.15am
Rams
@
49ers
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd20135228111742
2Leeds UnitedLeeds20125336142241
3Burnley2010822471738
4Sunderland20107329151437
5Blackburn RoversBlackburn1910452317634
6West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom2071122314932
7Middlesbrough209473425931
8Watford199462725231
9Swansea CitySwansea207672119227
10Norwich CityNorwich206863530526
11Bristol City206862525026
12Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds207582329-626
13Millwall196762017325
14Preston North EndPreston2041062026-622
15Luton TownLuton2064102335-1222
16Coventry CityCoventry205692529-421
17Derby CountyDerby205692226-421
18Stoke CityStoke205692126-521
19Queens Park RangersQPR204972026-621
20Oxford UnitedOxford Utd194692030-1018
21Portsmouth183872130-917
22Cardiff CityCardiff1945101730-1317
23Plymouth ArgylePlymouth1945101940-2117
24Hull City2037101828-1016


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!