Nigel Pearson calls on Watford to 'free themselves up and play' in crunch West Ham game

Nigel Pearson has urged his players to play with freedom on Friday night despite the pressure of their relegation battle with West Ham United.

Pearson’s Watford go to the London Stadium on 34 points, the same tally as West Ham, with both teams knowing that victory could all but ensure their Premier League survival.

Watford face Manchester City and Arsenal in their final two matches of the campaign, with Friday’s meeting representing their best chance of winning more points, on paper at least.

Watford have won their last two matches, against Norwich City and Newcastle United, and Pearson wants his team to be “calm” under pressure.

"On the face of it there is an awful lot of riding on it, but it is also important that our players are able to go out there and free themselves up and play," Pearson said.

"When you are under pressure that can certainly affect lots of different aspects of performance, but collectively we have shown a real resilience.

"The emphasis for tomorrow will be that we need to perform well as a team. We need to be calm enough but that doesn't mean you don't play with a passion, a drive and a commitment. It is getting the balance right, but we know it is a big game."

David Moyes, the West Ham manager, said his team are in a “good place” as he praised Mark Noble ahead of what could be the club captain’s 500th appearance for the club.

"He has been a one-club man and served the club incredibly well, since being a young player to where he is now - still leading the group, still very vocal, still playing very well,” said Moyes. “Long may it continue.”

"We've had some great players here having many games like that - Billy Bonds, Sir Trevor (Brooking), Bobby Moore. I think for Mark to get to 500 games for West Ham is a great achievement.

"He is captain, a really important player for us, important in the dressing room, and I think West Ham should consider themselves lucky to have such a good player but also a really good man around the club. I hope he can work towards getting another 100 or 200 games."

Moyes believes West Ham, who face Manchester United and Aston Villa next week, need to win at least one more match if they are to remain in the Premier League.