Manager Roy Hodgson has said his team were ‘good value’ for the goals they scored in their vital 2-1 away victory at Southampton. Talking to the press after proceedings, Hodgson pointed to the work rate of his team and the quality of the front three in particular.
Roy Hodgson said: “I thought that the attitude of the players and their desire to play well and win this claim,” he said. “I thought that was there for all to see. I thought the three front players, and we’ve been berating [them] to try and get a little bit more work from, a bit more pressing, a bit more understanding of their positional play, I thought that was a very positive aspect of our play. Because apart from the fact that they did pressurise the Southampton defence, they managed to create some pretty good chances too. So we were good value for our two goals.”
Having lost their two-goal lead shortly before halftime, it looked as though Watford were in for a tough send 45. In the end, however, the Saints failed to mount a comeback, with the ‘Orns keeping their composure to claim the win.
Roy Hodgson added: “That goal coming could really have dented confidence, could have really dented our belief. It certainly didn’t, because we went out in the second half and continued where we left off. Resilience is such an important factor in top Premier League football, it doesn’t matter whether you’re at the bottom or if you’re fighting for place in the Champions League.”
Having been impressed by his front line, he took the time to speak about the individual performance and development of Cucho. The forward scored twice today, and had netted a spectacular goal in the most recent home loss to Arsenal – but had put one in his own net during the midweek defeat by Wolves.
Roy Hodgson said: “His attitude was good, his workload was good. He runs throughout the game and doesn’t stop. I think that for us in the time we have left at the club, we’re going to keep working on his understanding of, you know, what we expect positionally from him. But I think that’s normal. And I think he wants that. So every moment we can get to work with him, and discuss when we’ve lost the ball, we’d like him in these positions. And when we won the ball, we’d like him in these positions. That’s a benefit. But the one thing he obviously doesn’t know how to do, he knows how the score when a chance comes his way. The goal against Arsenal, and the second goal today, we’re great goals. And the first goal, that’s the guts, determination, resilience, desire, that I am afraid I talk about far too often.”
