Lewington: Watford’s Assistant Manager Answers Supporters’ Questions

By: Watford FC Staff

Watford’s assistant manager Ray Lewington discussed his history with the Hornets and the season so far, as well as answering supporters’ questions on Thursday’s (March 24) edition of Inside The Hive.

You can watch the full episode above, in which Lewington joined host Michael Kurn and Golden Boys legend Tommy Mooney.

Lewington On...

The Season So Far:
“It’s a tough one because we are racing against time. Time is the problem, but we have been really encouraged with their attitude. The one thing we have to do is try and install a team with the good individuals that we’ve got. The last game against Southampton was very encouraging. We actually looked a real good unit. I thought we played well and really deserved a win against a side who I think are a good Premier League team.”

The International Break:
“We have a lot of players away that we would’ve liked to have done some work with. It does give us time to work with the boys who haven’t played and who need some fitness work. Perhaps a little bit of team play so that they can slot in when needed. This time won’t go to waste.”

How He Re-joined Watford:
“I had a call in the afternoon and Roy gave me a long-time think – basically half-an-hour! I went downstairs to talk to my wife and eldest son. They both told me to go, but I was enjoying retirement. I was able to watch my two boys play which I have missed. I was really enjoying it, but I got to the Training Ground by 5.30pm and the rest was history. I’m glad I made that decision because we’re really enjoying it.”

The Players:
“The stats have been good in terms of fitness and the running they have been doing in the games, that’s number one. But what we have to try and be is when we defend, we want everyone to defend, and when we attack we want everyone to take part. No-one goes to sleep, no-one switches off. The examples are all there, go and look and Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea. They all defend together, and they all attack together. Everyone thinks that it just drops on their lap because they are good players, they don’t – they work for it and we are trying to get that mentality.”

Working With Roy Hodgson:
“The relationship is built on trust and honesty. I think that if he asks me a question I will tell him honestly. I think it helps that I have been a manager, so I know what Roy will expect because what they don’t need is nodding heads or people who just agree with them because they will make the job worse. They need someone who will tell you that he doesn’t agree. If Roy goes away and comes back the next day certain on what he wanted, everyone gets behind him.”

His Time With England:
“It was a great honour, it was absolutely fantastic. The only time really as I have got older, because when you’re coaching you don’t tend to get nervous, but the first session I took on Manchester City’s main ground with the squad – I don’t care who you are, it’s slightly intimidating to look at all the faces there and you have to go out and coach them. As soon as you get started you’re fine but it was quite nerve-wracking to begin with, but they were fantastic.”

What Has Changed At Watford Since He Was Last Here As A Manager:
“The facilities at the Training Ground have completely changed. They are magnificent compared to my previous club, the size of it, the quality of the pitches and the analysis rooms. Everything is on a good scale. Off the pitch it is really good.”

His Time As Watford Manager:
“I really enjoyed that time. It was a strange period because no-one actually knew what was going on. I left Brentford and took the reserve job here and it was on the up and everyone was getting excited, money was going to be put in. Of course, it all went the other way for whatever reason as football does. When I took over, I didn’t realise how bad the situation was. Basically, I was told to get on with the job and that’s what I did, so you try and put that stuff away, but it was obvious if anyone came in for a player they went. You couldn’t make signings. I was happy to do that and get on and we didn’t do too badly. I look back on it with a lot of fondness.”

Stand Out Memory From His Time As Watford Manager:
“I loved the FA Cup quarter-final [against Burnley]. It was brilliant because I think we were neck-and-neck in the league table. The home draw was important and the day was fantastic. That certainly sticks out.”

The Best Player He Has Ever Coached:
“I think I would have to say Steven Gerrard from my time at England. I just didn’t realise how good he was. He could hit the hardest ball I’ve ever seen. His shot was phenomenal. He had everything that you would want - he could run, he was quick, he had a lovely touch, he could tackle, he could get in the box and score. He could do everything with ease. On top of that, he was a very good professional and for Roy and I, he was a really good captain who played his part dealing with the squad as much as we did.”

How The Game Has Changed Over The Years:
“Football has changed enormously. When I was coming into management, most teams in the country at any level were 4-4-2. The tactical stuff that we do in the job now is huge, because we play against a range of systems. The systems that are most difficult to play against are the ones with half-positions with the false nine. It’s hard to play against because people no longer stay in one position. The game has changed massively with their systems and positions that are very difficult to nail down.”

The Remaining Fixtures:
“We have four cup finals at home. We have a home record that isn’t good at all, but that can easily be changed. If we get the first win that can easily be changed. The teams are just above us, we know they’re beatable, but they know they can beat us - we have to go and back ourselves.”

The Supporters:
“They are going to be massive. It’s very hard supporting a side who don’t win at home, it can be tough. Our season will be decided on these next games so we have to play them as cup finals and I have no doubt that the supporters will get behind us. They need to see that the players are tuning in and playing as a team. If we can get that married together with the performance and the crowd behind us, we have a chance.”

How Roy And Ray Split Their Duties:
“Coaching for me is everything. I’m much happier coaching than managing. Roy is exactly the same, he is a coach first and a manager second. Roy does the bulk of it and likes to do the main things and I do the ones on the side that lead into the session, but we split it. I do the video work. We split the job between us, but he is the one that dictates but it’s a very good partnership.”

The Watford Youth Academy:
“It’s hard to get the academy involved in Watford’s situation, it can be nerve-wracking. The kids that have come up like James Morris and three or four others have looked like really good players. We are so fixed on what we are doing at the moment that all of that is to the side. There are some good kids, there is no doubt about that.”

The Toughest Team He Has Faced:
“There have been a few. In terms of how good they are, Manchester City are the best club side I have ever seen. Liverpool’s current side is incredible. Even teams on their day in the bottom half can be as tough as any other team. You have to beat all of them.”

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