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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Tom Cavilla

'We make a point of saying it' - Ben Foster reveals what Watford players think of 'horrible' Everton atmosphere

Watford goalkeeper Ben Foster has labelled the Goodison Park atmosphere as 'horrible' and believes it works to his advantage as an away player.

Foster was part of the Hornets' side that achieved a comprehensive 5-2 away win at the home of the Blues back in October, which saw Josh King score a hat-trick on his return to Merseyside.

Despite going a goal down inside the opening five minutes after Tom Davies put the Toffees in front, the visitors hit back in style to produce an unlikely result.

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At this point in the season, pressure was already beginning to mount on Rafa Benitez and the mood inside the ground shifted significantly as Watford took control of the contest.

Foster has now revealed part of the Hornets' pre-match team talk focused on exploiting the Everton fans getting 'on top of the team', which he believed work to great effect.

"One thing I will say is, if you can get on top of Everton early doors, the Everton fans are horrible to Everton players. They get right on top of them. For sure they get into the players' heads," he said on his podcast.

"All we said before the game is 'right lads, we need to start fast and get on top of them'.

"We won the game 5-2 and we make a point of saying it, the Everton fans are horrible. If it looks like we're overrunning them, they get on the Everton players like crazy."

Asked if this is the type of situation that teams are fully aware when determining the best way to approach an away game, the 38-year-old added: "For sure, yeah.

"If you are playing away at a stadium, where you know the home fans will get on their team if they're not dominating, we will make a point of saying 'get under their skin quickly because the fans will turn on them'."

Foster's comments echo recent remarks made by West Ham midfielder Declan Rice.

Asked by Gary Neville to name the most hostile away ground he has played at, the England international responded: “Probably Goodison.”

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