Valérien Ismaël spoke to the media ahead of Watford’s Emirates FA Cup clash against Southampton on Sunday (January 28, 2pm KO).
The Head Coach discussed the return of Emmanuel Dennis, balancing the league and the FA Cup and the surprise news that Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp is stepping down at the end of the season.
Read what he had to say below...
On Emmanuel Dennis:
I understand at the minute it will take time until he is ready to start a game. I think we need at least two or three weeks to make sure that he is able to get to the rhythm we expect.
We need to give him time. His last game was at the end of November, so we need to give him time and a proper build-up, to stay patient with him and at some point, we want to see Dennis performing like he did a few years ago at Watford. That is the job my team and I will try to achieve.
I have never listened about what the people are saying. It’s all about when I speak to the player face to face and explain the rules that we have in place for everyone. At the minute I haven’t recognised any situation that goes against that. He is motivated and happy to be here. We are very pleased that he is with us, and we are fully focused on getting the success we want.
He showed the love he has for Watford, the club, and wanted to come to help.
On potential transfers:
For sure in the next five days, anything can happen. We are aware about the market, and we want to make sure that anything that we can add to our squad, we want it to make us better.
We need to make sure the player is right for us. Otherwise, we will stay like we are as we have played like this for eight months and we’ve been okay. For sure if we can add something to improve our squad, we will do it.
On team news for Sunday:
[Ken] Sema will be back. Jamal [Lewis] is back, and Dennis will be available as well. The only two players who are out of the squad are [Edo] Kayembe and [Jeremy] Ngakia. They are showing positive signs and will be back soon.
Everything is good with Edo. If everything goes alright, then he will join the team to train in two weeks' time.
On the importance of the FA Cup:
The FA Cup is a big competition and we respect it. The players want to play. It’s a great game for us so we are focused on that, and we take the game as an advantage for us. We have some players coming back who have the possibility to get some minutes, and I see the game as another chance to win a game, stay in the rhythm.
We know we have a chance, we play at home, we played them a few months ago at home so we know exactly what we will face, but it’s a cup game so anything is possible.
When you walk into the club and see the pictures from the past, all the memories... It was something big for Watford, so the Cup can be something special and something big for the club and for us, so we are focused on that game.
On Southampton:
We are facing a big team who are flying in the league. They have performed well, and have a great manager, and a great team.
On Jürgen Klopp:
I was shocked like everyone. I love him as a manager. He gives the perfect example, great mentality, great attitude and you don’t want to lose players or managers that have a big impact on the history of the football club.
On the other hand, I understand him, he has had over 10 years now in the Premier League working at the highest level. As a colleague you understand when the time has come, and you make the decision at the right time and not to cross the line as it can be very difficult for your own health.
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