Walter Mazzarri: 'Survival is priority for Watford'

Inter Milan head coach Walter Mazzarri on the touchline during his team's Serie A match against Sassuolo on September 22, 2013
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Watford manager Walter Mazzarri says that securing the club's Premier League status is his priority for the upcoming season.

Watford manager Walter Mazzarri has set his sights on securing Premier League survival for his side during the upcoming campaign.

The Hornets enjoyed a bright start to last season to all but secure their top-flight status by the turn of the year, avoiding an immediate return to the Championship for the first time in the Premier League era.

However, their eventual 13th-place finish was not enough to save Quique Flores's job, and Mazzarri is looking forward to testing himself in the division.

"The first objective is to stay in the Premier League. Those who know me, know that we will work hard and prepare to see how far we can get. But this for me is a new experience and I can't wait to start," he told reporters.

"I am also very curious as I have always been for the first games. There is also a bit of tension, but also a lot of attention to prepare for the games in the right way.

"I think I know the squad quite well, but there is still a lot to get to know. If I had to give a percentage it is 70 to 80%, but there are still things to verify and tomorrow will be the first real test to know what level I am at."

Watford will begin the new campaign away to Southampton on Saturday.

Allan Nyom of Watford during the Barclays Premier League match between Watford and West Bromwich Albion at Vicarage Road on August 15, 2015
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester UnitedMan Utd11003123
2Liverpool11004313
3Chelsea11002113
4Hull City11002113
5Manchester CityMan City11002113
6Swansea CitySwansea11001013
7West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom11001013
8Everton10101101
9Middlesbrough10101101
10Southampton10101101
11Stoke CityStoke10101101
12Tottenham HotspurSpurs10101101
13Watford10101101
14Arsenal100134-10
15Leicester CityLeicester100112-10
16Sunderland100112-10
17West Ham UnitedWest Ham100112-10
18Burnley100101-10
19Crystal Palace100101-10
20Bournemouth100113-20