Veteran Hodgson ready for Watford's relegation dogfight

LONDON : Coaxed out of retirement at the age of 74, veteran manager Roy Hodgson said he was ready for a "relegation dogfight" during his first press conference as Watford's new manager on Wednesday.

The former England manager appeared to have opted for the sofa when he ended his long and respected coaching career after leaving Crystal Palace at the end of last season.

But after six months away from the buzz of the training ground he has returned to try and save Watford from the drop.

Watford have slumped to 19th place in the Premier League and sacked manager Claudio Ranieri, 70, last month following a 3-0 defeat by fellow strugglers Norwich City.

Hodgson is Watford's third manager this season and becomes the 14th appointment by club owner Gino Pozzo during his nine years in charge of the club.

Having saved other clubs from precarious positions in the past, including West Bromwich Albion and Fulham, Hodgson is confident he can guide Watford away from danger.

They face bottom club Burnley away on Saturday.

"It's more than possible. I wouldn't have accepted the challenge had I not believed we could help the club stay in the Premier League," Hodgson told reporters.

"The proof of the pudding is in the eating and it's important the players react well and they can produce the level of performances that are going to be necessary. This league in terms of relegation is a dogfight."

Watford is the 17th club Hodgson has managed in a coaching career spanning eight countries.

The former Inter Milan and Liverpool manager has agreed to take charge initially until the end of the season, and says he is only focussed on preserving Watford's top-flight status.

"When I was offered this job it was on a very clear mandate, and can you come in and work