Watford boss Malky Mackay admits battling the threat of administration has brought the team closer together. Mackay has guided the Championship side to 13th place in the table in his first season in charge, despite continuing financial troubles at Vicarage Road.

He is now simply looking forward to a day without any pressure at Chelsea in the FA Cup on Sunday.

He said: "We have had a week where I have had to try and extend players' loans and monitor injuries so it's not been ideal, but nothing is as unsettling as what we have been through in the last few weeks.

"The distraction off the field over the last month or so has been very tough to deal with but the only way to get through it is by being honest with the players.

"You can't shield the players from it as we were headline news for a few days so we had a few meetings where we sat them down and let them know the situation.

"I was in regular touch with the board and was well aware of what was going on. We treat them like adults and make sure they know the full story, but they can only affect what happens on the pitch and they have been superb.

"I have been at the club for five years now so I am immersed in everything that goes on. It has been very difficult but hopefully we are back on track now."