Watford boss Sanchez Flores hails Bournemouth’s stability

Watford manager Quique Sanchez Flores is a big fan of Bournemouth and envious of Eddie Howe ahead of Saturday’s Premier League match at Vicarage Road.

The Spaniard remembers the Cherries well from his time at Hornets four seasons ago, although the battles with the south coast side that term were nothing to shout about; a 1-1 draw at home and a stalemate on the road.

Nevertheless, Sanchez Flores enjoys the football Howe’s team produces and believes it is no coincidence a strong identity is clear at Vitality Stadium, given they have had the same boss since October 2012.

He said: “Four years ago when we were training here in Watford, both times we played Bournemouth the feeling I had was they are a very stable team, with a very stable manager and they had a really good idea of football.

“Four years later I think it is exactly the same after I analyse the team. Of course they change some players, this is football and little by little the squads change, but the philosophy of the club and the team is the same.

“They are a really, really good team and I imagine it will be a very tough match, but I think we have the possibility to get something important for us.”

Watford are the only club yet to win in the Premier League this season and currently prop up the table with two points after nine games.

The Hornets’ problems increased ahead of Saturday’s fixture after it was confirmed forward Danny Welbeck would spend a lengthy period of time on the sidelines with a hamstring issue.

Full-back Jose Holebas is also absent having received his fifth yellow card of the season during the 1-1 draw at Tottenham.

Although Watford conceded late on in north London, Sanchez Flores has seen positive signs during the clash with Spurs and the goalless encounter at home to Sheffield United on October 5.

“We were very solid, we didn’t concede space, we took the ball with clever ideas and we tried to use our tools and I can see something different,” the 54-year-old added.

“Against Sheffield, I can see something similar to what I want and against Tottenham we confirm this. For the next matches, what we need to do is confirm all these type of things.”

Even though the Hertfordshire outfit are winless in the division, Sanchez Flores is content with the squad at his disposal.

With Welbeck now out, Troy Deeney still not fit and Isaac Success only just returning to full fitness, the Hornets will look to Andre Gray and Gerard Deulofeu for goals, but have only netted five times in the Premier League this season.

A solution to their goalscoring problems could be new recruits in January or an alternative may be to look inside the club.

Striker Sam Dalby, 19, joined the club in the summer from Leeds and has made a big impression with the Under-23s – netting his sixth Hornets goal in the draw at Coventry U23s on Monday.

Sanchez Flores added: “If I enjoy the training sessions, it is because I am happy with the squad and I enjoy every single day here.

“I think there is enough (in the squad) to do what I want and what I have in my brain. Everything I want, they can do and they are able to do.”