Troy Deeney has denied reports a fight broke out in the Watford dressing room during half-time in Friday’s 3-1 defeat at West Ham.
The Hornets sacked head coach Nigel Pearson on Sunday and are one place and three points above the relegation zone ahead of Tuesday’s match against Manchester City, live on Sky Sports.
“I just want to put out there, there was no fight at half-time,” the 32-year-old Watford captain said.
“It’s 2020. We don’t do that anymore. You know, certainly with all the cameras and everything, you’d certainly see a lot more if that was the case.
“The gaffer didn’t put his hands on anybody. He was just frustrated and had a firm talking to, so no one was fighting, no one was punched, no one was even tickled. I don’t know, whatever way there was: no hands thrown, let’s just put it that way.”
3:25 Watford interim head coach Hayden Mullins tells Sky Sports News he did not see Nigel Pearson’s sacking coming and only found out he was taking temporary charge on Sunday afternoon
Deeney said the timing of Pearson’s dismissal caught him off guard with interim boss Hayden Mullins due to take charge of the side for their final two games, against City and Arsenal.
“It’s strange obviously, we didn’t see it coming. I think you get to a point in football where you’re not surprised anymore but I would say that this one certainly, you know, took me back a bit,” Deeney said.