Watford’s aim is to avoid relegation – Odion Ighalo

Nigerian International and Watford FC striker Odion Ighalo has expressed his pleasure at how the surprising run of Leicester City has deviated attention and pressure away from his Premier League newcomers. 

Ighalo, on 13 goals, has scored more than half of the Hornets’ goals (25 goals) at the midway point of the season. The duo of Ighalo and strike partner Troy Deeney have accounted, in goals and assists, for more than 90 percent of Watford’s goals from open play. Ighalo believes the absence of extra pressure to be the reason for their impressive displays.

“It is good for us when people start talking about Leicester. We have been working hard but people have not been noticing us. I have been scoring goals, and Troy Deeney has also been doing very well, but we have been playing under not as much pressure.”

Manager Quique Flores and Ighalo both picked up the Manager of the Month and Player of the Month awards for December respectively after enjoying a decent run of results that saw many tip them for European qualification. However, Ighalo and co have hit a purple patch recently that has seen them lose four games on the bounce.

But Ighalo is clear about where their ambitions lie.

“We are fighting to get the 40 points we need to play Premier League next season and then everything that comes after that we will thank God for. But we are not thinking of anything else now.”