Doucoure emergence pleases Hornets boss Mazzarri

The development of Abdoulaye Doucoure pleased Watford boss Walter Mazzarri, even if the manager was left disappointed by his team’s draw at Bournemouth.

Doucoure, a 24-year-old midfielder signed from Rennes a year ago, has made seven appearances for the Hornets this season, and impressed again in a starting role for Mazzarri’s side.

Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth salvaged a point at the Vitality Stadium thanks to Benik Afobe’s late equaliser, just as Watford were looking to bag their first Premier League win since early December.

The draw ended a run of two defeats for Bournemouth, but with the Cherries not having won in the Premier League since New Year’s Eve, Mazzarri was hoping to worsen their plight.

And the boss did not hold back in his assessment of the game, claiming his side had thrown two points away.

Photo by Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images

“I’m very pleased with Doucoure, he is a young player getting some good experiences,” said the former Inter boss.

“He has improved a lot. He still needs to improve with things in the middle of the pitch, but I’m happy to see young players growing.

“We lost two points, we deserved to win.

“Two mistakes allowed them to score two goals. You lose points from mistakes, you pay the highest price.”