Watford manager Walter Mazzarri is under growing pressure to keep his job as players fear the Italian is feeling the strain of their alarming slump.
The Hornets have picked up just four points from a possible 24 in their last eight Premier League games, raising fears within the boardroom that they could be sucked into a fight against relegation.
Mazzarri's role is coming under increased scrutiny, with the Italian facing the axe if he does not halt the club's worrying slide down the table.
And there are growing doubts among staff at the club's London Colney HQ that the former Inter Milan manager can stop the rot.