Ben Foster was disappointed Watford were unable to end their frustrating 2021/22 home campaign with a win, and rued the team’s mistakes against a “clinical” Leicester City side who ran out 5-1 winners at Vicarage Road.
Harvey Barnes and Jamie Vardy both netted braces for the Foxes, with James Maddison also among the goals, after João Pedro had put the Hornets ahead in just the sixth minute.
Foster wished the Golden Boys had retained their lead for longer, with Leicester having equalised just short of the 20-minute mark, but highlighted the opposition’s consistency in front of goal as a reason for defeat.
“In the final [home] game of the season you can’t lose 5-1,” Foster stated. “We know it’s been a disappointing season but you’ve got to give the fans something to cheer about and send them home with a smile on their face, and we didn’t do that.
“We created some chances but fair play to them, they were clinical when they got theirs and they showed the quality they possess.”
Looking ahead, Foster believes an immediate return to the Premier League is a possibility for the Hornets next season, while he thanked manager Roy Hodgson and his assistant Ray Lewington, who are due to depart the club following next weekend’s trip to Chelsea (May 22, 4pm KO).
“I’ve enjoyed playing for Roy and Ray, they’re brilliant coaches and we wish them all the best and thank them for what they’ve done,” said Foster.
“Since Roy came in he’s galvanised us and got us working as a unit, but when confidence is low it’s very hard to get the best out of players.
“Hopefully we can do what we did a couple of years ago after relegation, and bounce back at the first time of asking.”
