Youngsters 'not ready' says Watford boss Dionisi

Watford boss Alessio Dionisi admits his young players are not yet ready for the first-team after their humbling defeat by League One side Peterborough United in the Carabao Cup.

The Posh ran riot in a 5-1 thrashing at Vicarage Road against a youthful Hornets side after Watford made a promising start to the league campaign under new head coach Dionisi, picking up four points in the first two games.

"I'm not happy, we're not happy but this is football. Yesterday, the young boys worked well [in training] but the official match is different," Dionisi told BBC Three Counties Radio.

"For them, it is difficult because [they] are not ready to stay in the first-team but, for me, it's not a problem. It is important for everyone to prepare for the next match against West Ham because it will be very, very difficult for us."

Dionisi made 11 changes from the side that started Saturday's Championship 1-1 draw at Wrexham , naming two 17-year-old's and eight players under the age of 20 as his side were comprehensively dumped out of the cup in the second round.

"I am sorry for our supporters but, for me, there wasn't another possibility for us to play every three days with the same line-up. It is impossible," said Dionisi.

"The result is terrible but, in this moment, we prefer to choose to prepare [for] the Championship [over the Carabao Cup].

"We need new players to complete this team. We need new players with experience but we will work with what we have."

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