News: Bachmann Addresses Injury & Gestures To Fans

Club Captain Dan Bachmann is starting to get his head around what will be his first significant absence through injury as a professional footballer.

The Hornets’ goalkeeper landed awkwardly after repelling Sam McCallum's late shot with an acrobatic save, and initial scans have confirmed a significant ankle ligament injury for the Austrian.

“I think it was more shock than pain at the time because I heard a popping sound and thought I heard a crack,” explained the glovesman.

“I clutched my Achilles initially, probably instinctively to check as that's probably the worst injury you can get these days. Although it wasn't that, you have a sense when something's definitely not right and I knew straight away I was in trouble.”

Despite only a limited amount of swelling and bruising presenting around the left ankle, it's an injury that's going to require at least two months and maybe longer to recover from.

“We're going to decide next whether an operation is the route to go down,” said Bachmann, who made his 138th Watford start against Sheffield United on Saturday.

“I’ve not had to deal with anything major at all since I turned pro, so I suppose I should feel grateful it's only now I'm getting my share of bad luck.

“I did have ten months out with a back injury when I was 17, but since then it's only ever been a week or so with hamstring strains and stuff like that.”

The Hornets have suffered far less with injuries this term, which is something Head Coach Tom Cleverley has praised the medical & sports science teams for.

So, while the timing of any absence is never ideal, regardless of the situation a team or a club finds itself in, it's something Watford's No. 1 is preparing to deal with.

“We're in the middle of a push for the play-offs, so it's extra annoying to know I'm going to be working in the gym and away from the group while the lads are out training,” he said.

“You can't ever know you're going to be out injured but you accept it's one of the risks of the industry, so I've got to fully face into that now.

“It's going to hurt me to not be out there, but I know Bondy [Jonathan Bond] will do a great job for the team - no question about that at all.”

Bachmann also addressed suggestions he'd gestured towards Hornets' fans in the Rookery during Saturday's first half.

“There was a bit of booing and jeering when one or two things didn't go so well,” he explained.

“I remember raising my hands and gesturing for the fans to calm down; a bit of reset before they got carried away with their frustrations.”

The keeper then reiterated his comments from earlier this season that he believes the Vicarage Road faithful have been key to this season's strong home form.

“It's been noticeably different this year. The gaffer has talked about reconnecting with the fans at home and building something new.

“I do hear the frustrations sometimes - of course I do, I'm right in front of the Rookery in the first half.

“But no one is going to let a couple of difficult moments and difficult results take away from the connection we've built between the team and our fans. It's special to us and it's been vital in winning so many points at The Vic.”