Roy Hodgson has admitted the 'writing is on the wall' for his Watford side as they sit in 19th place in the Premier League and 12 points from safety with just four games remaining. Everton take on Watford at Vicarage Road on Wednesday in their game in hand and a win for the Blues will help in their push for survival.
Everton currently occupy the final relegation spot, but are just two points from safety with a game in hand after their fantastic victory over Chelsea at Goodison Park on Sunday afternoon.
With Norwich City's relegation back to the Championship confirmed and Watford seemingly following in the Canaries footsteps, it remains who will be the third team to go down.
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Hodgson, who takes his Watford side to Crystal Palace on Saturday, doesn't hold much hope for his side's Premier League status for next season.
"The writing is certainly on the wall, we'd need more than a miracle," said Hodgson. "I don't think it's correct to even start suggesting and giving people false hope. Unfortunately, our hope was that in the three games starting with Leeds and then through Brentford and Burnley, we would get enough points to keep in touch with the fellow strugglers.
"We came close in those games, we can honestly say that it wouldn't have been wrong if we'd have taken more points than we did from those games because we had our moments and we looked as though we were going to get the result we wanted, but we didn't and that's put us in the position we are and we have to face up to that.
"It's going to be tough for players because we've got four games to play and they can't really be continuing to look for that carrot - if you win this one then you might be ok. They've got to play these games knowing even a good result might not help."
