DAN GOSLING has launched a scathing attack on Watford’s relegation season, hitting out at the “disgraceful attitudes” of the “worst dressing room” he has been in and a “miserable” Claudio Ranieri.
The Hornets finished 15 points clear of safety last season and worked their way through three managers.
Dan Gosling has hit out at the bad attitudes in Watford’s dressing room last seasonCredit: RexGosling has also slammed Claudio Ranieri for his role in Watford’s relegationCredit: Reuters
Gosling started the season under Xisco Munoz, who was replaced by Ranieri before Roy Hodgson took the club back down to the Championship.
The midfielder was axed from the club’s 25-man squad by Ranieri and said the Italian’s spell was the worst time of his career.
Gosling was reinstated after Ashley Fletcher left the club but hit out at players who didn’t care for or fight for Watford as they dropped back to the second tier.
He said: “We had players walking into training saying they’d had enough now.
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“The team was down and we had players that knew they’d be leaving. Players were saying ‘well I’ve played 20 games, the team is down, I’m done here and someone else can have a go’.
“I thought that attitude was a disgrace. There were a lot of disgraceful attitudes here last season and that’s ultimately the reason we went down.
“It wasn’t a question of ability. Maybe some players didn’t always hit the levels they are capable of, but it was the attitude of individuals that did for us.
“It was a real disgrace, easily the worst dressing room I’ve ever been a part of. So now that we’re clearing the decks and trying to build something new is refreshing.”
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Under Ranieri, Watford lost 11 of his 14 games in charge, winning just twice.
Speaking to the Watford Observer, Gosling said: “That time with Ranieri was just really unenjoyable.
“The training we did, the spirit they created, the staff that came with him – the whole thing was just miserable. They were miserable, and it made it miserable.
“I was surprised they lasted four months to be honest. I have been in football a long time, and so have a few boys in the squad, and that time was as bad as it can get.”
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The Italian was then replaced by Hodgson, who came out of retirement with long-time assistant Ray Lewington in a bid to keep them up.
Gosling acknowledges that the ex-England boss was an upgrade on Ranieri but felt his methods too were outdated and that the veteran checked out before the end of the season.
He said: “To be fair to Roy, what he did in training was very repetitive, but at least it was game-like situations. You do need to freshen it up a bit though. This is 2022.
“Roy and Ray gave it a good go at the start, but after a while they seemed to give up as well. When you see that, and you see and hear arguments – well, what chance have you got?”
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The former Bournemouth man is now preparing for a fresh start in the Championship under new Hornets boss Rob Edwards, something he’s relishing.
Gosling said: “The fresh start is so good. We’ve signed a couple of hungry players, and I know the hope is that we get a few more through the door. We do need more new faces. But it’s just so refreshing.”
