Watford can avoid relegation after hiring Hodgson, insists Merson

Paul Merson believes Watford have 'every chance' of avoiding relegation from the Premier League after hiring Roy Hodgson as their new manager.

The 74-year-old agreed a deal until the end of the season with the Hornets on Tuesday and has replaced Claudio Ranieri, who was sacked after the 3-0 home defeat by Norwich at the weekend.

Sportsmail understands Hodgson will land a seven-figure bonus, on top of what is described as a 'modest' salary, if he can lead the Vicarage Road club to Premier League safety. 

And former midfielder Merson believes Watford - currently sat 19th in the table but just two points off Norwich in 17th with two games in hand - have every chance of staying up now that the ex-England boss is at the helm. 

'I think it is a good appointment,' Merson told Sky Sports. 'I think they need to steady the ship and they have got to stop leaking goals left, right and centre.

'What Roy brings is bundles of experience. He doesn't mind playing 11 players at the back and the crowd booing like mad, as long as he gets a point.

'That's what they need at the moment. Some people might say you need someone who is younger to come in and be flamboyant, but they have had that all season when they have opened the game up and have been getting battered everywhere they go.

'They have got every chance of staying out of trouble now.'

The post represents Hodgson's first job since he left Crystal Palace at the end of last season with the club finishing 14th.

Former striker Darren Bent admits Palace did not play 'entertaining' football in the last two seasons under Hodgson, but described his arrival at Watford as 'perfect' and a 'masterstroke'.

'I think it is the perfect appointment,' Bent said. '[He is] safe hands, [he] knows the