Watford and Everton are two sides who do not currently get along due to the Toffees’ original interest in hiring Marco Silva, and that resentment lives strong in Troy Deeney, who has got Toffees fans talking with his latest striking claim.
The English centre-forward has been quoted by The Mirror discussing the Hornets’ frustrations with the Goodison Park outfit at a recent fans forum.
During the event, Deeney answered questions on numerous matters but the one that stood out the most was Silva’s maiden return to Vicarage Road on Saturday, as it will be the Portuguese’s first trip to Watford since his sacking there.
Despite going on to relative success with Javi Gracia, Everton’s interest in Silva while he was still on Watford’s payroll has irked the club and are still awaiting a verdict to decide if he was illegally tapped-up.
Watford fans let Silva know they harbour ill-wishes for him during the Hornet’s trip to Goodison Park in December, and the atmosphere will likely be hostile again at the weekend.
Deeney, however, hopes that won’t be the case, from the grandstands at least.
“We’d prefer it if you left him alone,” Deeney told the assembled supporters. “It will only motivate them more [if he is booed and jeered].
“Leave him alone, and let us kick s*** out of them!”
The 30-year-old’s startling claim certainly got Everton fans talking in the build-up to the game…
@Everton have to rise to the challenge then tomorrow and get 3 points
— jay Goulbourne (@jayefc1983) February 8, 2019
@premierleague so we already know it’s premeditated. Be waiting to see you act accordingly ????
— Corless (@bluepants1878) February 7, 2019
Sack the result, get into Watford, but hurt Deeney or you’re out of touch with the city you play in.
— azul (@thechicoazul) February 7, 2019
Great seeing Watford trying to become relevant. Starting a rivalry with Everton just as Villa did, just as Newcastle did an just as West Ham did. They are all irrelevant clubs, not that we are relevant but we are miles bigger than them an honestly don’t care ahahaha
— Der Ketwig Kaiser (@DerKetwigKaiser) February 7, 2019
Start James McCarthy tomorrow, then ask him to go right through Troy deeney an break his legs ????????
— PrideOfMerseyside (@scouse_Everton) February 8, 2019
Should be reported to @FA
— Peter Woolley (@PeterWoolley7) February 7, 2019
Over to you @FA
— TheFlyingPasty (@ToffeeDan) February 7, 2019
If this @Everton side want to show more character and fight the players would be well advised to launch Troy Deeney in the air as quickly as possible on Sat #EFC
— Nick Jones (@nickjones314) February 7, 2019