Ben Foster has claimed that Everton fans are 'horrible' to the club's players and that Watford's tactics when going to Goodison Park revolve around that fact.
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Foster often makes for fascinating listening, and the former England goalkeeper is happy to reveal plenty of locker room 'secrets' when discussing football.
Ahead of their win over Manchester United earlier this season, which ultimately led to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's departure, the keeper even revealed that Watford had no worries facing United.
Now the 38-year-old has taken aim at Everton and revealed that their fans penchant for getting on top of their own team factors into tactical team decision when the Hornets play at Goodison Park.
"One thing I will say though, if you can get on top of Everton early doors, the Everton fans are horrible to the Everton players," the Watford number one told his podcast 'The Fozcast.'
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"They are horrible, they get right on top of them. For sure they get in the players’ heads, for sure."
"That’s massive," he added when asked how big it is for the opposition.
"That’s what we say before the game, 'Right lads, we need to start fast, we need to get on top of them.'"
Whilst Foster says it was the plan, it wasn't actually one that worked for the Hertfordshire team at the time, as Tom Davies opened the scoring after three minutes.
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The visitors did come back and win 5-2 in the end, with Joshua King scoring a hat-trick, and you'd imagine the fans definitely got on the back of the Toffees' players that day.
Foster doubled down on the idea the fans are 'horrible,' adding, "We do make a point of saying it, the Everton fans are horrible. If it looks like we’re over running them, or something, they get on the Everton players."
And asked if it was a consideration when it comes to tactical talks, the former West Brom keeper said, "Yeah, for sure.
"If you’re playing away in a stadium where you know the home fans will get onto their team if they’re not on top of the game or not dominating, or not looking like they want to push for a goal, we’ll make a point of saying ‘right lads, get under their skin quickly,’ because fans will turn on them."
Whilst it might be their own fans who turn on them at Goodison Park, the fans when they travel away from Merseyside can be just as unforgiving.
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One Newcastle United fan recently dressed in a t-rex costume to mock Jordan Pickford when the two sides recently met, with Eddie Howe's side coming out on top.
Everton fans might be more lenient towards their team now Frank Lampard is in charge, rather than Rafa Benitez but they'll really need to get behind them more.
The team are currently in 16th place, just two points above the relegation zone, and are in risk of getting relegated this season.
Featured Image Credit: PA/FozcastTopics: Everton, Premier League, Watford, Ben Foster
