Mariappa – Luck Is All Watford Need

Adrian Mariappa says Watford just need a change in luck in order to start winning games in the Premier League again.

The Hornets have made a dismal start to the new league campaign, losing all three games so far against Brighton, Everton and West Ham.

They go to a rejuvenated Newcastle on Saturday, who shocked Tottenham last weekend, where a win is needed to kick-start the season. Despite some below-par displays, Mariappa is not panicking and is certain a change of fortune will ensure they get back to winning ways in the top flight.

Gracia’s side did finally get their first win of the new season on Tuesday when they overcame Coventry City 3-0 in the Carabao Cup second round but the priority is to start moving up the Premier League table as they currently sit bottom of the pile.

Mariappa admits it’s been a tough start but he insists they have not got the reward their performances have deserved and he’s confident of an upturn sooner rather than later.

The defender said: “No one wants to lose their first three games of the season but there are 38 games in a season.

“I don’t think we have had the rub of the green in the last few games. If we keep the performance levels up then I am sure it will turn.”

Mariappa has not been named in any of Gracia’s three matchday Premier League squads so far but came in from the cold to start Tuesday’s victory over the Sky Blues, while club record signing Ismaila Sarr also made an instant impact, scoring the first goal, before Daryll Janmaat added a second and substitute Adalberto Penaranda netted a spectacular third.

Watford will find out who their third round opponents are on Wednesday but the focus now switches back to the league, when they go to St James’ Park this weekend.

Mariappa, who will hope he did enough on Tuesday to force his way into Gracia’s plans on a more regular basis, believes there is no reason why they can’t enjoy a similar season to last term when they flirted with the top six in the first half of the campaign before eventually finishing 11th.

Indeed, when asked if he felt Gracia’s side could repeat or better that finishing position, he replied: “There is no reason why we can’t.”

Following the Newcastle trip, Watford have some tough games after the international break as they host Arsenal on September 15 before they go to champions Manchester City on September 21.