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"WE'VE GOT TO BE ON THE BALL"

Posted on: Fri 13 Aug 2010

WATFORD boss Malky Mackay started off his second season in the hot seat at Vicarage Road with a league win and a cup win in the last seven days.

The Scotsman reflected on the past week in his pre-Coventry press conference at London Colney.

He said: "I'm so pleased with the way the boys have handled the first two games.

"I think it's great to get the season off to a winning start.

"The fact it was a tricky away game makes it even more pleasing that we got the three points up there and being live on television always helps.

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"It gives a profile to the Football Club and then to follow that up with a win at a potential banana skin situation down at Aldershot is very pleasing.

"I knew it was going to be a tough tie for us so to come out with a win and a clean sheet off the back of the Friday evening, I'm absolutely delighted."

Malky Mackay

The former defender praised his 'keeper Scott Loach for his call-up to the England senior squad on Wednesday.

"It's a great accolade for Watford that we've got a player in the England squad.

"It's also a great accolade for Scott because I firmly believe he's going to be a top goalkeeper at the top level.

"He's a top goalkeeper right now but he's going to push himself even more.

"He stayed with us for the good of his career and now he's an experienced Championship goalkeeper who looks very comfortable at this level.

"It was the best conversation I could have as a manager with a player - to tell them they'd been called up for their country.

"I remember watching Harry Redknapp break the news to Trevor Sinclair on television a long time ago and back then I thought that must be a great conversation to have.

"Now I've managed to have to that conversation a couple of times now with Michael Bryan being called up for Northern Ireland, Don Cowie for Scotland and now Scott Loach.

"It's great for them and it's great for Watford that we have international footballers on our books."

Mackay and Loach

Last Friday Malky was greeted to a warm welcome by his former club Norwich City, and now this Saturday, the Watford manager returns the favour as he hosts his former boss at Vicarage Road.

"I thought it was quite ironic when I looked at the first away fixture and the first home fixture when they came out in June.

"To go away to Norwich on the first night of the season, to an ex-club of mine and then the following game, the return of a really good manager in Aidy Boothroyd to Vicarage Road.

"I think it's quite ironic how they throw these fixtures up. It's going to be an interesting one on Saturday.

"I know Aidy will be coming to make sure his team make it as difficult as possible for us so we've got to be on the ball as they will be too."

He continued: "I don't think you can ever gauge the reaction from the fans when former managers and players come back.

"I was delighted with the response I got from the Norwich fans myself going up there last Friday night."

Even with a fully fit squad and after a promising start to the season, Malky knows that Saturday will still be a test for his players bearing in mind what the Scotsman already knows about his opponents.

He added: "I do know a lot about the way that Aidy plays, the way he thinks and the way he deals with players.

"He has a new set of players and he's got his feet under the table but he's not been there very long.

"I don't think you see the true picture of many football clubs in this first month of the season until the transfer window closes.

"Clubs and teams don't actually settle down until October so I know they'll be some teams that are certainly not the same as they will look in a few months."

Goalkeeper Rene Gilmartin is the only doubt for the Hornets after picking up an injury on Tuesday night at Aldershot.

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