Boro’s Rhodes looks to Deeney for inspiration
After scoring a hatful of goals in the Championship, making the step up to the Premier League can often prove tricky for strikers, but in Troy Deeney, Jordan Rhodes feels he has the ideal man to learn from.
The pair played against each other in the Football League, and their clubs face each other on Sunday as Watford visit the Riverside with Boro looking to get a second Premier League victory under their belt this season.
Rhodes has yet to get off the mark in the Premier League, and the Scot is looking to take inspiration from Watford talisman Deeney, in the hope of kick-starting his debut season in the top flight.
“I’ve known Troy for the last seven or eight years, from playing against him at Walsall before his move to Watford,” said the 26-year-old.
“We’ve crossed paths many times over the years. I think a lot of players can relate to him, and that helps as club captain.
“I’ve nothing but good words to say about him – both as a player and a person.”
And Rhodes’ admiration of goings on in Watford stretch to the whole club, not just their captain.
Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images
The Hornets finished 13th in their first season back in the Premier League, and Rhodes feels Boro can learn a lot from their performances.
“I think last season’s Watford are the team that we’re striving to be this year,” he added.
“They got off to a great start and established themselves in the Premier League.
“This season, they’ve picked up again and got some great results, thanks to the squad they built last year.
“It will be a real test for us on Sunday. It will be good to pit our wits against them.”
