Hull City vs Watford - Marco Silva claims his Hull players can handle 'big pressure'

Posted Friday, April 21, 2017 by PA

Hull manager Marco Silva thinks his players are handling the pressure well as the fight to remain in the Premier League reaches its crucial stage.

Silva's side remain two points above the drop zone despite successive 3-1 defeats at Manchester City and Stoke.

Hull hope to have more home comforts when they return to the KCOM Stadium against Watford on Saturday where they are unbeaten since the Portuguese took charge in January.

Maintaining that record might see them edge further clear of nearest rivals Swansea, who host Stoke.

"It is normal pressure, big pressure yes but all the teams have pressure," said Silva at his pre-match press conference.

"But it is important you feel comfortable with the pressure, we need to put a big attitude in the match to win.

"I want my players to play the same as what we show at home, but I want them calm. It's not easy to keep them calm, since I come we have been under pressure.

"Sometimes we are not the best in the first half. It is impossible that we don't feel pressure but we need to stay comfortable and this has been a normal week and the players work hard."

Silva will pick from an unchanged squad. He has options should he wish to make changes following the defeat against Stoke, with Abel Hernandez and Ahmed Elmohamady pushing for recalls after starting on the bench at the bet365 Stadium.

Defender Omar Elabdellaoui's back problem will keep him on the sidelines while Ryan Mason, Moses Odubajo and Will Keane are also absent through injury.

Watford boss Walter Mazzarri has warned his players not to relax as they head into the final six matches of the Premier League season all but safe.

The Hornets travel to Hull on the back of beating fellow strugglers Swansea 1-0 last weekend, which moved them onto 40 points and 12 points clear of the scrap for survival.

Mazzarri accepts it would be easy for his team to already imagine themselves on their summer breaks, but wants complete focus for the run-in as he evaluates plans for next season.

"It is not easy to motivate the players after the win on Saturday, they might feel safe," the Italian said.

"I hope to manage to get into their heads everything that we have spoken about in the week (during training).

"I was a player once, unfortunately, subconsciously, if you reach your target you relax, so I am curious to see what is going to happen when we play on Saturday."

Captain Troy Deeney was restored to the Watford line-up against Swansea after being named on the bench at Tottenham.

Mazzarri sees no reason why he and the 10-goal forward should have any issues over selection.