Football
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Heurelho Gomes to retain Watford place - Quique Sanchez Flores

Quique Sanchez Flores has warmed to Heurelho Gomes even more since the goalkeeper's erratic display in Watford's recent 2-1 defeat by Leicester.

The Brazilian gifted Leicester the opening goal with an appalling error before, with the score at 1-0 and the Premier League fixture still competitive, rushing to concede the penalty which took a positive result beyond his team.

Gomes has a history of conceding unnecessary goals amid making the most athletic of saves but his manager insisted he has not allowed the latest to bother him, and that he will retain his place when Watford host Manchester United on Saturday.

"Gomes has been happy, completely happy," said Flores, 50. "He knows accidents are possible in football. I said to him when we were coming back from London: 'Heurelho I love you more than before.' We love him.

"Accidents are possible with goalkeepers. If you analyse his season it is amazing."

United likely represent one of the hardest challenges of Watford's season but, amid the relative struggles of Louis van Gaal's team and Watford's highly-positive start to the season that has inspired them to 11th place after 12 games, Flores is targeting victory over their visitors.

"It's always more important," he said. "It is three points. They shoot four, they score three, so they are difficult to stop.

"We need to be positive and optimistic.

"The expectation is good for Watford, it means what we are doing is important for the rest of the people. Finally we are sending our message about what we can do."

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