Ikechi Anya happy to play in any position for Watford
Ikechi Anya is happy to be Watford's odd-job man if it means helping the Hornets to Barclays Premier League survival.
The 27-year-old has already played in a number of positions for Quique Sanchez Flores' side this season, having helped Watford gain promotion to the top flight last term.
While most players may be keen to lock down a certain position in a team, Scotland international Anya is flexible and can play either in defence or midfield on the left or right.
He has started the last six Watford matches and is in line to keep his place for the visit of high-flying West Ham on Saturday, insisting he does not mind where he plays as long as he can do his bit for the team.
"I'm happy to play anywhere the gaffer wants me to play. I'm just happy to be in and around the squad," he said.
"My biggest goal is for Watford to stay in the Premier League, and if that means Quique wants to rotate my position, I'm more than happy for that to happen. I'll do all I can to help the team.
"With Quique's mentality, it's all about not limiting yourself, and if you can play in more than one position and it helps the team, then why not?"
With as many as 16 new arrivals over the course of the summer, Anya has had to adapt quickly to a new-look side - but the former Celta Vigo man reckons the core of players who have been at the club for some time have played their role in what has been a pleasing first 10 games for Watford.
"It's been a great start for everybody," he added.
"We've been working really hard as a team. We've all adapted really well in making the step up to the Premier League.
"It's very important to have that nucleus from last season. Everything's blended well with all the new players coming in as well. We seem to have the right blend of new players with the old guys, and that's all contributed to the start that we have made so far."
The Hornets have taken 13 points to date, but have only scored one league goal at Vicarage Road and come up against a Hammers side who have already achieved victories at Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City.
But Anya believes Watford can cope with Slaven Bilic's men on Saturday, even if they have impressed in the early part of the season.
"West Ham are very organised," he said.
"They have done incredibly well against the bigger teams in the league, and they have got a good manager who has done really well.
"Like I say, though, we have a good manager too, and if we play like we know we can, it should be a very good game come Saturday."
Flores is hoping Jose Manuel Jurado may be fit in time following a hamstring strain.
Bilic, meanwhile, insists sitting third in the Premier League is motivation enough for his West Ham players to maintain their impressive start to the season.
Last weekend's victory over Chelsea at Upton Park was enough to move Bilic's men into the top three in the table - just two points shy of leaders City.
But, while the Croatian admits motivation for trips to places like the Emirates Stadium and Anfield is never hard to come by, he believes simply being in their current position means games against sides like Watford should also be met with enthusiasm from his side.
"Those bigger clubs, they somehow motivate you even more," he said.
"But the Premier League motivates you by itself, this is the Premier League and we have a good atmosphere and our position in the table motivates the players because they are enjoying it and would like to enjoy it longer and continue this run.
"Eventually we are going to lose a game, it is going to happen, but I don't think it will be down to motivation."
Bilic could welcome back defender Winston Reid after a thigh issue and Victor Moses is also back after being ineligible against Chelsea.
Source: PAR
