The Watford manager, Quique Flores, has warned the striker Matej Vydra he may need to show some patience before working his way into the team he scored for freely in two previous loan spells with the club. The Czech striker, who has moved permanently to Vicarage Road, did not figure in Watford’s opening-day draw at Goodison Park, and is eager to play against West Bromwich Albion, where he had a tricky period two seasons ago, this weekend.
However, Flores says Vydra may have to bide his time. “I would like 14 or 15 players in the side but I can’t. It depends on the feelings I have of the players during the week before I make my choice,” the manager said. “I want them to fight and play well. If a player is not starting that doesn’t mean they can’t recover their role in the squad. I am working the same with the whole squad but some players connect a bit late with the idea of the team. In this case some of the players need to work a bit more to be in the first 11.”
Vydra is competing against Troy Deeney and Odion Ighalo for the main attacking berth. “It’s always difficult to choose you squad. When you have every player ready to play, and they are passionate and determined to play, then it is not easy. Saturday will be our first home game and we know what emotion the player will need when they go on to the pitch.”
Flores also backed Valon Behrami, who was criticised during the week by the Everton manager Roberto Martínez for a dangerous tackle on Kevin Mirallas. “You can’t separate Behrami and tackles because he always doing this kind of action where he tries to kick the ball to stop the play of the opponent.
“He’s not playing with bad intentions. I have confidence in Behrami and he knows what he’s doing because he has a lot of experience.”
Watford are hoping to conclude a deal for Alessandro Diamanti as soon as possible. The Italian is currently training with the club and the Premier League newcomers are waiting for the paperwork to be processed by his Chinese club Guangzhou Evergrande. Clearance is unlikely to come before the weekend.
