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Marco Silva could lead Watford to the top of the league for only the second time in their history this weekend, but shrugged: “It’s nothing special.”

The Hornets are currently fourth but will go top of the pile if they beat rampant, second-placed Manchester City at Vicarage Road on Saturday, because Chelsea and Manchester United, the other teams above them, don’t play until Sunday.

Only once in their 136-year existence have Watford been at No.1 in the land — Luther Blissett scoring twice in a 3-0 win against West Brom on 11 September 1982, when Graham Taylor was still king of Vicarage Road.

(Image: Action Images via Reuters)

But Silva will not be shouting from the rooftops if they defy the odds and beat City for the first time since Iwan Roberts scored the only goal in a 1988-89 season which culminated in Mel Machin’s Blues winning promotion from the old Second Divison.

Watford’s new head coach said: “It’s important that everyone, starting with me, keeps their feet on the floor.

"What we have achieved until now is only eight points — nothing special. We are happy in the dressing room, everyone at the club is happy, the fans are happy. But on Saturday it’s a big fight and we know what our way is.

(Image: Action Images via Reuters)

“I don’t mind the big expectation – that is always good and not a problem. But we treat each match the same: We prepare to win the game, and we know what we need to do.

“It’s one more game against a great, great team, but if anyone is looking at our game against City as a big test for us, we are going about it the wrong way. We need to understand our position and not look at things differently just because we have started the season well.

“Our ambition hasn’t changed since my first day here. We want to keep our club in the Premier League and try to do something better than the last two seasons — and I believe we can do it.”

Keeper Heurelho Gomes has chalked up three clean sheets in a row, but Silva warned: “We are playing against a team who have just scored nine goals in their last two games.

“We know there will be times during the match when they make our team suffer a bit more, but in this situation you have to respect your opponent and pay attention to the key players as well.”