Troy Deeney reveals Watford upheaval spurred on team-mates as Championship promotion race nears climax
Monday 6 April 2015 10:56, UK
Watford captain Troy Deeney says the managerial upheaval at the club earlier on in the season has spurred on rather than hindered his team-mates as they push for the Premier League.
The Hornets are currently on their fourth manager of this campaign following the departures of Beppe Sannino, Oscar Garcia and Billy McKinlay, with former Chelsea midfielder Slavisa Jokanovic now in charge at Vicarage Road.
Many teams might have struggled to cope with the number of managerial changes seen at the Sky Bet Championship club but Watford have thrived in the face of potential adversity as they bid to secure promotion back to the top-flight for the first time since 2006.
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Ahead of the Easter Monday home clash with promotion rivals Middlesbrough - a match which is live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 12.00pm - Deeney insists his team-mates are focused as the season nears its business end.
"The managerial situation has affected us, but in a positive manner. The group of lads that are inside the dressing room realise it is all about us," the 26-year-old told Sky Sports.
"No matter which manager is in charge, it is all about what we do on the pitch. We all know that managers can come and go, but it is still the same group of players.
"So we have to still stick together and make sure whoever is in charge that we are right at it for ourselves.
"If a manager gets sacked, you still have to work hard day in day out to try and get in the team. It does not matter who is in charge, you still have to do your job. Nothing changes in that sense.
"We have a huge willingness to get out of this league. That's all. Every single lad in our dressing room wants the opportunity to play in the Premier League and we are intent on making that happen."
At the beginning of the season, Deeney was handed the captain's armband by Sannino following the departure of goalkeeper and former skipper Manuel Almunia in the summer.
Responsibility
With the previous uncertainty surrounding the manager's hot-seat, the forward admits he has relished the opportunity to assume extra responsibility in the dressing room and insists he will not let up on his team-mates as they chase promotion glory.
"I love the added responsibility. I was captain a few times on and off at the back end of last season and really enjoyed it. But I don’t feel my role has changed very much as I am quite an outspoken person anyway," he said.
"I am a big presence, so my role now is just trying to keep on top of the lads and prevent them thinking that the job is already done. There is a lot of football still to be played.
"In truth, I have found it quite easy. I have not really had to go in and tell anyone that this has to be done for this reason.
"It has just been a case of let's get on with it. No complaints and no excuses has been the mentality that I have tried to instil. That is my main thing in life now - no excuses and no complaints."
Deeney was part of the Watford side - then under the management of Gianfranco Zola - that came agonisingly close to claiming a place in the top-flight two years ago.
The big frontman fired Watford into the Wembley showpiece in sensational fashion, netting the decisive strike in the last minute of a semi-final victory over Leicester City. However, a 1-0 play-off final loss to Crystal Palace ended their dream of a return to the Premier League.
Though the priority remains to secure one of the two automatic promotion slots, Deeney admits he would embrace the chance to return to the home of English football and compete in the world's richest match once again.
"I would love the experience to go back to Wembley, but that's only if I am on the winning side this time around," he said.
"However, if you asked any of the teams in the promotion race would they want to be in the top two? It's obvious, of course they would. And when it is May 2 and it is all over, you can sit back and just enjoy watching the play-offs rather than being part of it.
"No one can guarantee what is going to happen from now until the end of the season. And certainly no one can guarantee what is going to happen in the play-offs.
"It's going to be exciting, I am certainly going to enjoy it and hope everyone else enjoys the ride as well."
Watch Watford v Middlesbrough live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 12.30pm on Easter Monday.
