Arsenal title winner Paul Merson is backing Watford's appointment of new manager Roy Hodgson.

Hodgson has replaced Claudio Ranieri after his sacking on Monday.

Merson believes Watford - currently sat 19th in the table but just two points off Norwich in 17th with two games in hand - have every chance of staying up now that the ex-England boss is at the helm.

"I think it is a good appointment," Merson told Sky Sports. "I think they need to steady the ship and they have got to stop leaking goals left, right and centre.

"What Roy brings is bundles of experience. He doesn't mind playing 11 players at the back and the crowd booing like mad, as long as he gets a point.

"That's what they need at the moment. Some people might say you need someone who is younger to come in and be flamboyant, but they have had that all season when they have opened the game up and have been getting battered everywhere they go."