Aidy given two votes of confidence

Things are looking ominous for Watford manager Aidy Boothroyd, who has received not one but two dreaded votes of confidence ahead of Sunday's vital Championship game at Blackpool.

Having seemed runaway certainties to claim automatic promotion earlier in the season, Boothroyd takes his side into the last regular fixture having secured just one win in 13 games and knowing fans will bay for his blood if Watford fail to get the point that will at least secure a place in the play-offs.

However, the club's chairman Graham Simpson said: "I appointed Aidy Boothroyd and I stand by him. I, and the board, are going to support Aidy. He has tremendous ability and is an exceptional talent."

And giant defender Dan Shittu insisted: "Aidy is a good manager who gets us motivated and gets us going. We still think we can go up. Definitely. Everyone is still very positive and we're confident it will happen."