Roberto Fears Watford Backlash

He believes that Watford will arrive at the Liberty Stadium with their players feeling guilty that Aidy Boothroyd lost his job earlier this week.

Boothroyd has been replaced for now with Malky Mackay who will take charge of the Hornets at the Liberty today for the first time – and be back for a second chance in all likelihood on Tuesday in the Carling Cup.

And Roberto has said all week that he thinks this is a bad time to play a team just after they have replaced a manager and he echoed those words in today’s News of the World.

“This is the worst time to play Watford because their players will be feeling guolty about what happened with Aidy,” said Roberto

“He was a big influence at the club over the last few years and to lose him the way they did will have been a big shock for them.  He was one of the most influential managers in Watford’s history.  He took them into the Premier League which was a magnificent achievement.  When someone that influential leaves there is bound to be a hangover in the dressing room and I’m expecting a big reaction from their players.

“They worked with Aidy for a long time and they will all be disappointed that he left the club.  They will feel responsible for him going because in the end it’s the player who decide the results.

“When a manager loses his job or resigns the players fo feel guilty.  That is why I think Watford will be very dangerous.

“I expect them to raise their standards against us in both games.  We need to be ready for that.

“Aidy did extremely well there.  He surprised everyone when he took them up two years ago.  In the end he was a victim of his own success.”