Marco Silva dismisses Everton interest is linked to Watford's poor form after Brighton defeat
Saturday 23 December 2017 19:11, UK
Marco Silva dismissed suggestions that Everton's interest in him has affected Watford's form after his side suffered a fourth successive loss with a 1-0 defeat at Brighton.
The Hornets were flying early in the season but results have dipped dramatically in recent weeks, with the loss at the Amex Stadium leaving them with just one Premier League point from the last 18 available.
Silva was heavily linked with the manager's job at Goodison Park last month before Everton appointed Sam Allardyce, but he believes the two factors are not connected and feels injuries and suspensions have been the main issue behind Watford's dip in form.
"It doesn't make sense this comparison. Nothing changed in the club," Silva said. "Today we had one game to prepare with three players banned, with five or six players injured. At this moment we have big problems to find the solutions for our starting XI.
"We need to find these solutions as soon as possible because it's a lot of games in a row and it's not easy to make the rotation, it's not easy to start the game with our best XI.
"Of course, it's not an excuse because the players that played this afternoon, they have quality as well and it's the moment for them to show it. Now is the moment for us to react as a team."
Brighton were the better team on Saturday, with Pascal Gross claiming the solitary goal in the 64th minute.
The summer signing's low shot skidded under the body of Heurelho Gomes but Silva refused to blame his goalkeeper and admitted his team were poor.
"It's football - what Gomes did until now, he was very, very good in a very good level," Silva added. "In some moments, he saved and did fantastic things for our team.
"I'm clear, it's not because of Gomes that we lost the game. We didn't perform well today. We didn't score and they won."
