#PLStories- Claudio Ranieri on Brentford, Covid at Tottenham and Watford’s Christmas plans #WATFORDFC
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Claudio Ranieri
How worried are you about the current Covid situation, after press conferences are now only taking place online again?
I think the LMA, the Premier League, has made the right decision and we have to continue in this way. It’s very important to maintain the right distances, to have the Covid tests every two days, and to wear a mask. That is very important.
Will Covid impact upon any of the club’s social plans such as the Christmas party?
No, no no, we haven’t [had] a Christmas party. Never, never. We stay at home with our families, and we stay here together and we have all the restrictions areas. It’s okay. No, no, no, we are okay, at the moment. But, you know, Covid comes in every situation.
How tough do you think the Brentford match will be?
Yeah, every match in the Premier League is a tough match. Now we go to this match [and it] is very difficult, because last season, I know very well, Watford drew the match with a penalty at home, and lost there [at Brentford] 2-0. And also I knew that there was a pre-season friendly match and we lost here 3-1. I know against Brentford it will be a very tough match. But we are ready. We are ready to fight against everybody now.
How impressed have you been by Brentford?
Yes, of course, Brentford play very well. They are managed very well, well done to the coach. They have a very good triangulation. They go forward straight away. They are well organised. But also, we are well organised. We are ready for this battle.
What have you learnt about your payers after a recent run of difficult fixtures?
Oh, I have learnt my players are fantastic because they never give up. They have the right mentality. But now we have to improve our defence. When I speak about defence, I don’t speak only for the defensive line, but all the team. It’s not possible to concede too many transitions against the opponent.
How important is this game in the context of the relegation battle, is there a lot of pressure?
Yes, it’s no high pressure, but we know very well Watford, from the beginning, is in a relegation battle. We know this and from now it’s important to get a point. Get a point, don’t stop. We have [to find] some continuity, some consistency, that is very important.
Do you have a points target over the next period of games?
No, no. But of course, from now until Christmas day, we want to put some points on our table, because we need [them].
How impressed have you been by Cucho Hernandez?
Yes, I love him, because always during the training session he gives 100 per cent. He wants to score, he wants to shoot. He is a fighter. I love these kinds of people.
Are you surprised with how well Brentford have done in their first season in the Premier League?
No, I’m not surprised because I watched Brentford at the beginning. It was very, very fantastic how they pressed, how they played. And they continued in this way. It’s important to play with the right mentality and Brentford is doing well.
Brentford won’t have Ivan Toney or Sergi Canos, do you expect that to that change their plans?
They can change everything because they play well and they are well organised. Then it’s important [that] we must know what we have do to try to win the match.
What do you think about the situation at Tottenham for Antonio Conte with all their Covid cases?
I think the more important thing is that all the players must be vaccinated, because we play every three days now, and we meet a lot of players. And it is important the vaccine because if something happens, with the vaccine it’s very slow. Without the vaccine, it’s a big risk. And I understand [Antonio] Conte and I hope here in Watford everything continues to be okay.
Is it difficult asking the players to get their vaccinations?
No, no it’s not difficult the vaccination. Of course, I have to respect everybody. But they must know, we stay together and it’s important everybody must be vaccinated.
Can you say how many players at Watford have been vaccinated?
No, I don’t know. I’ll ask the doctor.
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