Sannino still refusing to discuss play-offs

Beppe Sannino is – perhaps sensibly – still refusing to discuss to possibility of a top-six finish, despite a fifth consecutive home win.

The Hornets head coach said he was focussing only on a two-day break to Italy with Watford not playing again for a fortnight after next Saturday’s trip to Charlton Athletic was re-arranged.

Watford took full advantage of Blackpool’s propensity to shoot themselves in the foot, opening the scoring when home debutant Mathias Ranegie rose unchallenged to head home a Daniel Tozser corner.

Troy Deeney blasted home a second after good work from Daniel Pudil, before Ranegie hurried Pool skipper Gary MacKenzie into an ill-advised pass which saw Cristian Battocchio feed the Swede to slot past Matt Gilks.

Blackpool gave a better account of themselves in the second-half, but were soundly beaten by the time Deeney curled a spectacular fourth into the top right-hand corner of Gilks’ net after neat build-up play.

Speaking afterwards to Sporting Life, Sannino praised his goalscoring strike partnership.

‘I’m happy for Ranegie and also for Troy for the kind of goals they scored. They were very nice goals,’ said Sannino.

‘In the box it is very important to have physical qualities, but sometimes we need more agility in other games.

The Italian continued: ‘But don’t only watch how tall a player is, but what is in their heart. For English football you need a bit heart and I hope Ranegie will have this. Today he scored two goals, but I’m not focused on their goals, I’m focused on their work.’

Pressed on his side’s chances of reaching the Championship play-offs for the second season running, Sannino refused to budge from his non-committal stance.

‘It isn’t the moment to speak about the play-offs, because I’m not thinking about the rest of the season right now,’ he explained.

‘I have two days off and I’m going to Italy. All I’m thinking about is my flight. After 75 days away I will be back at home. On Tuesday I will be back at Watford and I will start to think about the future.’

Click here to read Saturday’s match report.