Roy Hodgson urges Watford stars to step up like Dennis

The Hornets find themselves in a tough relegation battle, and they need all their firepower if they are going to survive

Watford boss Roy Hodgson has urged his star attackers, Ismaila Sarr and Josh King, to improve on their performances to reduce Emmanuel Dennis’ goalscoring burden.

Dennis arrived at Vicarage Road last summer, and for a player who not much was expected from, he has taken the Premier League by storm and has been unarguably the best player at Watford this season.

Dennis has been the live wire in the Watford attack. He has been involved in 14 of Watford’s 24 goals this season.

His numbers are way above Sarr, who has been involved in just six goals, and King, who has eight goal involvements in the Premier League.

Watford gaffer Hodgson has not been impressed, and he believes that Sarr and King will have to improve their performances if they want to escape relegation.

“Most teams have probably got one guy who can be regarded as the main provider and main scorer,” Hodgson told Watford Observer.

“But I do think we’ve got three here who are capable of putting that cloak on their shoulders.

“Sarr has been out injured for a long time, and maybe he can come in and take some of that burden on his shoulders.

“Josh King is another proven scorer as well, so in actual fact, I’m optimistic that there are goals and assists coming from more than just Dennis,” he added.

Watford square off against Crystal Palace in a crucial relegation dogfight on Wednesday, and Hodgson will hope that his star players step up and do the job in the attack.