Time is running out, says Vialli

Watford manager Gianluca Vialli today told his players they must win their next two games to have a chance of getting into the play-offs.

The Vicarage Road side have not won this year and are nine points and six places below the target of sixth position in Division One with only 16 games remaining.

Gifton Noel-Williams scored a neat second-half goal to salvage a point last night after Watford had gone behind to Graham Alexander's 30-yard, first-half drive but Vialli's team never looked like winning.

Their pre-season billing as promotion favourites appears to have been optimistic but Vialli is still looking forward to their next fixtures against Burnley and Grimsby.

He said: "We are running out of time. Now we have got two home games and we have got to get six points. If we do that I think we will still be in contention for a play-off place.

"We are not going to give up no matter what happens but we have a lot to make up for.

"It will be difficult for us but difficult is exciting."

Vialli blames his team's poor run of four defeats in the past six matches on injuries and suspensions. He claimed he only had 16 fit players available for the game at Preston.

He added: "It is unfortunate because it means you cannot pick the same side week in, week out.

"When you have a new manager and new players you want to gel as a team as soon as possible but if you keep making changes it does not help. We will get a few players back soon and that will help."

The addition of 24- year- old defender Wayne Brown, who was signed on a month's loan from Ipswich this week, may also be of assistance. He set up Watford's goal last night with his first touch of the game in the 64th minute.

The substitute had been on for only 60 seconds when his long through ball found Noel-Williams with only goalkeeper Teuvo Moilanen to beat and the striker rounded him and slotted home.

Vialli said Brown has got a sweet left-foot and is comfortable playing in wide or central defensive positions but Watford's problems appear to be in attack.

Their goal came from their only scoring attempt against a Preston side who were playing their third game in six days.

Even though Watford were missing striker Heidar Helguson, who was suspended, and had a penalty appeal rejected, the neat passing approach play that has become their trademark was ineffective.