Watford vs AFC Bournemouth - Quique Sanchez Flores wants Watford to follow Leicester's example - 7M sport

Watford vs AFC Bournemouth - Quique Sanchez Flores wants Watford to follow Leicester's example



Posted Friday, February 26, 2016 by PA

Watford boss Quique Sanchez Flores has urged his players to follow in Leicester's footsteps by using Barclays Premier League safety as a springboard for bigger things.

The promoted Hornets head into Saturday's home clash with Bournemouth just four points shy of the accepted survival total of 40 with 12 games still to play, and Flores is hoping they can complete their first objective sooner rather than later before plotting a fresh course.

That is something current leaders Leicester have done spectacularly and unexpectedly, erasing memories of last season's late surge towards the finishing line by roaring to the top of the table.

Flores said: "We are really close. I would like to get to the objective as soon as possible because if the players achieve these 40 points, we have the possibility to not relax, but release the pressure to get the objectives.

"Leicester is the example. They achieved 40 points and then they are free on the pitch, they feel really, really positive. That's the idea.

"We were expecting to play this kind of match against Bournemouth a long time ago because we are really, really close to 40 points.

"But we need to respect Bournemouth. They have a really good team, they have worked really well in recent years and it will be difficult."

Watford have started their points tally ticking over once again in recent weeks after slipping into something of a lull around the turn of the year.

A return of just a single point from a possible 15 from Boxing Day has given way to seven from 12 since and progression to the FA Cup quarter-finals, and Flores has been delighted with the response from his players.

He said: "We are solid, we are a good team, we are working as a group. I am very happy with the squad we have. We are lucky with this squad.

"They are very good professionals - we were right when we were choosing the players in the summer - so the atmosphere in the dressing room is really, really positive."

Flores will be missing only Jose Manuel Jurado for the clash.

The Spanish midfielder has missed the last two games with a calf injury and will sit out once again this weekend.

Defender Miguel Britos returned from a dead leg for the 1-0 FA Cup fifth-round victory over Leeds, while goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes, who was replaced by January signing Costel Pantilimon for last weekend's cup-tie, is likely to return in goal.

Meanwhile, Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe has challenged his players to put their losing streak behind them and tackle the upcoming "huge" Barclays Premier League games head on.

The Cherries travel on the back of three straight defeats, which saw them also beaten at home by Everton in the FA Cup last weekend.

Howe hopes a positive week on the training ground will help put things right at Vicarage Road, with many players fresh again for the battles ahead after he made changes for the cup tie.

"It is always a concern for us, because you never want to lose one game, let alone three," Howe said at a press conference.

"The key thing is not to over react when you look at those defeats game by game.

"We know we really have to focus on the future, that we have four huge games coming up for our season.

"I have shared that message with the players - it is all about the future for us now, there is no point looking back.

"We have had a good week's training and have had different players fresh and available to train the whole week, so we have built up well for this game."

Bournemouth may be four points clear of the drop zone in 15th place, but Howe knows the job is far from done as they prepare for a run of games which will see them face relegation rivals Newcastle and Swansea.

"Whatever cushion it is, it is not big enough, because those four points can turn into one in the blink of an eye," he said.

"From our perspective it is all about the next game and getting as many points as we can as quickly as we can because this league is so unpredictable."

Captain Tommy Elphick was one of several changes for the FA Cup tie, the defender performing well as he continues his return from a serious ankle injury.

Striker Lewis Grabban has been carrying a groin problem, so remains a doubt, while Howe revealed midfielder Max Gradel could soon be involved again as he steps up recovery from a long-term knee injury which has sidelined him since the end of August.



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