EPL Fixtures: Ranieri wants Watford players to 'fight' after Norwich defeat
Claudio
Ranieri says he needs to choose players that want to "fight hard for
Watford" after a damaging defeat against Norwich saw them drop into the Premier
League relegation zone.
Norwich
picked up a 3-0 win to move out of the bottom three for the first time this season
and send Watford into it.
The
Hornets have suffered 11 defeats in 13 games under Italian Ranieri.
"It's
very important the lesson Norwich gave us, they played as a team, we played as
individuals," said Ranieri.
The
70-year-old veteran was furious with his players after a result that sees them
fall to 18th place following a run of seven defeats and one draw in their past
eight games.
He
told BBC Sport: "I want to say sorry to our fans because we wanted to do
something better. We asked the players to light the fire and we can't lose this
match, but after the goal we disappeared.
"I
believe in my reaction and the players' reaction. It is not possible to
continue in this way because this way we go straight into the Championship. I
want the players with heart and mentality who play for the team.
"I
speak every day with the board and we are all together. I believe in these
players, the players who want to believe. Who doesn't want to believe - go
home."
'We have to react immediately'
Victory
was Norwich's fourth from 22 top-flight games this season, but means they have
now collected three points in back-to-back games after beating Everton last
time out.
USA
international Josh Sargent scored twice and Juraj Kucka added a late own goal
for Watford, who also had forward Emmanuel Dennis sent off for two bookable
offences.
The
Nigerian is the club's top scorer this season with eight goals but will miss
the crucial match against bottom of the table Burnley after the international
break.
Against
Norwich, Ranieri gave debuts in defence to January signings Samir, and Hassane
Kamara.
Ranieri
said: "Maybe we played better 10 v 11. That is no good. Now I have to
choose the players that want to fight hard for Watford. You have to play 11 v
11.
"The
new players played very well and understand my philosophy. Some players don't
want to understand my philosophy - I want to play straight away, no dribble
dribble, shoot straight away.
"We
have to react immediately."
'I'm not worried about the future'
Ex-Chelsea
manager Ranieri stunned English football by leading Leicester to an unthinkable
title triumph in 2016, but he was sacked by the Foxes the following season.
A
nomadic career has since seen him go on to manage Nantes, Fulham, Roma and
Sampdoria, before he was appointed as Watford boss in October on a two-year
deal, replacing sacked Spaniard Xisco Munoz.
Ranieri
was the 14th managerial change under the club's owners, the Pozzo family, since
they took over in 2012.
"I'm
not worried about the future," Ranieri told BBC Radio 5 Live.
"I'm
calm and want to react - me and my players. I have the passion, I want players
with the heart and to think about what is Watford for the people of
Watford."
Asked if he is confident of turning it around, Ranieri replied: "Yes I'm very confident."
Norwich picked up a 3-0 win to move out of the bottom three for the first time this season and send Watford into it.
EPL Fixtures
EPL Fixtures
Friday
Watford 0-3 Norwich City
Saturday(Today)
Everton vs Aston Villa -3:30pm
Brentford vs Wolves-6pm
Leeds United vs Newcastle-6pm
Man United vs West Ham-6pm
Southampton vs Man City-8:30pm
Sunday(Tomorrow)
Crystal Palace vs Liverpool -5pm
Arsenal vs Burnley-5pm
Leicester City vs Brighton-5pm
Chelsea vs Tottenham-7:30pm
BBC Online
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