Watford boss Ismael knows there will be more talk this week
The only thing that might get in the way of – or add to – the speculation about the future of Valerien Ismael is having a home match against Swansea on Wednesday night.
Preview: Watford vs. Swansea City – prediction, team news, lineups
Watford play host to Swansea City on Wednesday evening desperately requiring all three points to retain any kind of realistic chance to make the Championship playoffs.
Meanwhile, the visitors, just two points adrift of their 12th-placed opponents in the standings, make the trip to Vicarage Road on the back of two successive wins
Having handed a long-term contract to Valerien Ismael earlier in the season, Watford’s hierarchy showed that they are committed to having the Frenchman at the helm in the long term.
However, a run of six defeats in seven games will no doubt be testing the patience of the Pozzo family, who will recognise that their promotion hopes are almost over for another campaign.
In 12 league fixtures, Watford have only won at Queens Park Rangers and Rotherham United, clubs who were both situated in the bottom three when they squared off.
Their only other win came via a last-gasp goal against non-league Chesterfield in the FA Cup, while five losses have come in their most recent six Championship encounters.
Losing to Huddersfield Town and Millwall has turned the mood at the Hertfordshire-based club, and Ismael must get the Hornets back on track against either Swansea or Coventry City in two home fixtures to be played in the space of three games.
Swansea find themselves below Watford in the table, yet there is a positive feeling at the Welsh outfit now that they have posted two wins in a row.
Luke Williams is coming under pressure in the dugout, despite only being appointed in January, but wins over Sunderland and Blackburn Rovers have led to him starting to win over supporters.
On both occasions, Swansea have stormed into an early two-goal lead, only to concede in the second half and find themselves having to show some resilience to secure maximum points.
While Williams would have naturally preferred a more comfortable outcome, the fighting spirit bodes well for the future with Swansea still just four points above the bottom three.
