We must tighten up our act, says Watford's Manuel Almunia

Watford had to address some defensive frailties early last season and there are warning signs that similar improvement may again be needed.

Gianfranco Zola’s side conceded three goals in a draw with Reading last weekend and Manuel Almunia knows any mishaps at the back must be nipped in the bud.

Watford let in 15 goals during the opening two months of last season and, although they recovered to reach the Championship play-offs, a slow start cost them automatic promotion.

Despite last weekend’s hiccup, they have started impressively. Seven points from their first three games leaves Watford second, two points behind Sunday’s opponents, Championship leaders Nottingham Forest.

But with memories of the defensive fragility that caused that early-season slump still fresh in the memory, Almunia does not want to see a repeat. “We conceded a lot of goals at the start of the last season and still made the play-offs,” said the former Arsenal goalkeeper. “But our target is to go up automatically this season and if we want to do this, we have to get a lot of clean sheets.

“We were a bit asleep at the beginning of the Reading game and conceded silly free-kicks and chances. This cannot happen at a club that wants to go up. There is no way we can concede that many because it will be a big effort to score more goals.”

Zola’s preferred attack-minded style remains a work in progress following the number of new arrivals in the summer. Watford conceded only once in their opening two games against Birmingham and Bournemouth, scoring seven, and Almunia knows how hard it is to find the right balance.

“We have learned our lessons and we have to show that against Nottingham Forest,” he said. “I am the goalkeeper and I do not like conceding goals. If you lose your concentration in the Championship, your opponents can make chances. From now on, we have to concentrate better.”

Watford have been boosted by the news that defenders Joel Ekstrand and Marco Cassetti have recovered from injury and are fit to play.

Lewis McGugan could face his former club for the first time since joining Watford on a free transfer last month. The midfielder came through the ranks and made 230 appearances at Forest, who have won their opening three games without conceding a goal.

Almunia said: “Lewis is a good player and has a good personality. He is what we need in midfield. He has experience, is very confident and defends well. He is a good signing.

“It will be very difficult on Sunday because Forest are a very good side. We have only played three games so it is too early to say these two teams are going to be at the top of the table come the end of the season.

“But we have a strong side with good character and I think both teams will finish in the top six.”