Watford

Image source, Getty Images

Roy Hodgson says he is longing for that "wonderful day" when Watford can pick up three points even when the "performance is lacking."

The Hornets have scored just four goals under their new manager but have seen an improvement in performances since Hodgson's arrival.

Despite having very few points to show for it, the former England manager praised his players.

"They have worked very hard to buy into some of the thoughts we have.

"We have got no complaints at all but the big problem is turning a decent performances into three points.

"On more than one occasion we have put in a more than decent performance but it's not led to points.

"Then you are back with the old dilemma - you know you need performances to get points, but you are still really hoping for that wonderful day when the performance is lacking but the points are there."

Watford manager Roy Hodgson has been speaking to the media before their trip to Wolves on Thursday.

Here are the key lines:

• Hodgson felt Watford "did a lot of good things" against Arsenal, giving his side something to "take forward".

• He acknowledged that performances have been better but it is now about "turning those performances into three points".

• Boos were heard around the stadium when Imran Louza was substituted in the second half against Arsenal, but Hodgson was full of praise for the Watford fans: "I thought the crowd was good and they tried to will us over the line."

• Despite their struggles at Vicarage Road, the Hornets boss said he believes there isn't a "gulf in performances" when they play at home.

• However, he acknowledged there may be "more pressure to take risks to score goals, because keeping a clean sheet is never going to be enough".

Watford return to Premier League action on Thursday with a trip to Molineux to face Wolves.

Who should make Roy Hodgson's starting XI as his side look to avoid back-to-back defeats?

After scoring twice and taking Arsenal all the way in Sunday's defeat, should the Hornets boss stick with the same line-up?

It's time to pick your Hornets side to face Wolves

BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra has you covered across the Premier League and Champions League this week:

Monday, 7 March

• Tottenham v Everton (20:00) - 5 Live

Tuesday, 8 March

• Liverpool v Inter Milan (20:00) - 5 Live

Wednesday, 9 March

• Manchester City v Sporting Lisbon (20:00) - Sports Extra

Thursday, 10 March

• Norwich City v Chelsea (19:30) - 5 Live

• Wolverhampton Wanderers v Watford (19:30) - Sports Extra

Saturday, 12 March

• Brentford v Burnley (15:00) - 5 Live

Sunday, 13 March

• Leeds United v Norwich City (14:00) - 5 Live

• Arsenal v Leicester City (16:30) - 5 Live

All times GMT

Watch highlights from both of Sunday's matches in the Premier league, plus find out who is February's goal of the month winner.

Stream on BBC iPlayer now

Image source, PA Media

Geoff Doyle, BBC Three Counties Radio

Watford lost their eighth home game in a row against Arsenal, but this was a much better performance than most of those other seven.

And yet the aftermath of another defeat is one of more fan disenchantment, this time with manager Roy Hodgson.

For the first half hour, Watford were bright and confident. They played some good football and won the physical battle against the Gunners.

The crowd appreciated it and the support was strong and it was welcoming to at last see smiles in the stand. Yes, Arsenal were really threatening going forward but at 1-1 there wasn’t much in it.

Tom Cleverley’s mistake for the second goal completely deflated the team. After all that hard work, Watford couldn’t re-find the same energetic rhythm but at least they were putting up a fight. So there were reasons to be happier.

Except midway through the second half, the supporters were upset by Hodgson’s substitution of Imran Louza and they made it quite clear he wasn’t who they thought should come off. Louza was given a standing ovation by each stand as he walked round around the perimeter of the pitch heading back to the dugout.

Not long after, when Cleverley gave the ball away, Hodgson exchanged words with a fan in the Sir Elton John Stand as to why he was still on the pitch.

Hodgson defended himself post-match (Louza was at fault for the third goal) but his comments certainly haven’t eased tensions. His dismissive attitude towards the fans has not gone down very well at all.

Everyone needs to be in this together if Watford are to survive. Disharmony at this stage of the season is dangerous.

Image source, Getty Images

Newcastle are "very close" to securing their Premier League survival, leaving six teams fighting for relegation, accoring to the Telegraph's Luke Edwards.

Below the Magpies in the table are Brentford, Leeds, Everton, Burnley, Watford and Norwich, with 10 points separating 15th to 20th.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily, Edwards said: "Newcastle have five wins out of six and are eight games unbeaten. They only won one game all season before Christmas so to win five out of the last six is remarkable.

"They are not quite out of it yet but are very close to getting themselves out of it now.

"Then I think it’s out of the six teams and Watford are one of them. Roy Hodgson will make them hard to beat and that’s what they needed. They’ve got the attacking players to crawl over the line though I personally don’t think they will do.

"Of any of the teams in the bottom three at the moment I would fancy Burnley to get out of it just because they are Burnley and it’s Sean Dyche.

"Brentford would be the one for me who are currently out of the relegation zone who I would be worried about."

Hear more on the relegation fight from 33'30 on BBC Sounds