Watford boss Quique Flores admits he feared Mark Hughes as a player ahead of Stoke clash

Watford boss Quique Flores admits he feared Mark Hughes as a player but not as a manager

QUIQUE FLORES admits the prospect of facing Mark Hughes the player feared him with dread but is much more comfortable taking him on as a manager.

 

The Watford chief will take on his opposite number at Stoke for the first time in English football on Saturday.

Hughes spent one season at Barcelona in 1986-87 where he enhanced his reputation as bruising centre forward.

Stoke boss Mark Hughes and Flores will clash for the first time as in English football

“I don’t like to remember Mark Hughes in Spain," admitted Flores, who played as a defender. "He was a very strong striker. 

"He always crashed hard and such a tough opponent when he played for Barcelona.

 

Flores, a defender at the time, feared Hughes when he was playing for Barcelona

“You can’t make the difference between the skills of the managers though.

“Mark Hughes has the respect of the players and league as he has done everything in football.

 

“But fortunately we are not playing against Mark Hughes. We are playing Stoke.

“Myself and Mark Hughes our capacities are limited.”

Watford have a full strength squad available for the trip to Britannia but they have picked up just one point in their last three matches.