Mazzarri insists he and Watford are much more than just a resolute defence

Watford’s impressive form of late has been built on clean-sheets but Walter Mazzarri has stressed he is not an overly defensive manager.

The Hornets’ have not conceded in their last three games against Hull City, Swansea City and Middlesbrough and taken seven points from a possible nine in the process.

It has helped the club to their best start to a Premier League season as they sit in seventh in the table, one place ahead of European giants Manchester United.

But while their form is good and they have been resolute in defence, the Golden Boys have struggled at the other end, managing just four shots on target and two goals in their last three games.

Heurelho Gomes has been key to Watford’s defensive success of late. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Against Hull they won 1-0 despite not having a shot on target but the stats at Vicarage Road were a little misleading in that Watford did have 23 shots at goal.

And Mazzarri, who replaced Quique Sanchez Flores in the summer, said: “It’s about more than just defending well, it’s about Watford creating and how many chances we make.

“It’s not because I’m an Italian coach, I’m Walter Mazzarri, and it’s very important my team plays on the attack and at the same time is ready to defend.

“Against Hull we created seven or eight chances to score while Hull had only one.”