This archive report was first published on 28 June 2020.
Watford manager Nigel Pearson sounded a warning to his side after a 3-1 home defeat by Southampton on June 28, 2020, which has left the Hornets' Premier League survival hanging in the balance.
The loss, which was compounded by the exclusion of three players from the squad for breaching coronavirus protocols, has raised concerns about Watford's ability to stay in the top flight.
Southampton's Danny Ings was instrumental in the visitors' victory, scoring two fine finishes to move within one goal of the Premier League's top scorer, Jamie Vardy.
“We were second best for too long,” Pearson said. “You can’t concede goals like gifts to your opponents, it makes the job even harder.”
Watford's poor start to the Premier League resumption has left them just a point above the drop zone, and with bottom-of-the-table Norwich, Newcastle, and fellow strugglers West Ham to come in three of their next four games, Pearson remains confident that his side can still avoid relegation if they find their best form.
