Roy Hodgson not using Crystal Palace successes at Man City to inspire Watford

Roy Hodgson has not used his recent success at the Etihad with Crystal Palace to inspire his struggling Watford side but instead focused on another positive memory away to Manchester City.

The 74-year-old secured a memorable 3-2 win over Pep Guardiola’s men during the 2018-19 season and in the following campaign walked away with a point following a 2-2 draw.

Hodgson has not highlighted those results to his 19th-placed Hornets, who are seven points from safety with only six games to go after last weekend’s late loss to Brentford, but has made them aware of Fulham’s plight in 2008.

A 3-2 win at Man City, prior to the Abu Dhabi Group pumping millions into the club, proved the catalyst for the Cottagers to win their final three fixtures and survive against the odds 14 years ago.

“It is a human failing to want to hark back to things you have done, things that have happened but no we have not talked about Crystal Palace,” Hodgson said.

“We have drip-fed into them that Fulham at half-time (against Man City) were relegated. We have drip-fed into them that at Fulham we won four of our last five matches, so 12 points out of 15, because I think that is relevant and because I am still trying to – like everyone else – keep that hope and dream.

“I read in a podcast thing where there are a lot of journalists that every one of them said we are relegated as well but I have learned to live with these things because our form and our position in the table is as such.

“But we don’t have to accept there is no hope, there is no chance and that we are doomed until such time as we are doomed. At the moment with 18 points to play for, we are not doomed but we will need, I will not say that type of Fulham performance but you might call it Fulham