WATFORD boss Luca Vialli is "not waving the white flag" when it comes to obtaining promotion this season. Based at his training camp in Marpafut, near Malaga, Spain, he also sounded something of a warning for his squad.

"I want people to know we are not waving the white flag as far as promotion is concerned. We know it is still achievable," he told me.

"It is not an easy time for every single one of us because we are under-achieving and we know we should have done better.

"We have 17 games left, and it will be interesting to see who is really desperate to play for Watford next season. It is not in my nature to give in, and I am looking for the same mentality, motto and philosophy from my players."

Vialli stressed he is not blaming anyone individually for this season's disappointment.

"I know that the players do their best, but it is a matter of selection. I am there to learn, coach and teach, but also I am there to build a very strong and successful team. Now we are in a situation in which we need to show what they are made of," he said.

"It is a test, and, while no one is going to fail, I want to work with players who have a winning mentality or players who want to work on having a winning mentality. If they show they are not bothered then it is likely I won't be working with them and they won't be working with me next season.

"I am not blaming anyone. Everyone has got responsibility to share and should feel responsible for whatever happens during a season. It is a team effort and the finger should not be pointed at individuals, but everyone. I have made mistakes, they have made mistakes, but being a successful manger is about making fewer mistakes than my rivals.

"I never gave up in my career, and I am not going to give up now. I would like to think I have the ability to make the players believe that it is still achievable. They have got to stick together and follow me."

Looking ahead to the task to reach the play-offs, Vialli would not enter into conjecture as to how many games they need to win.

"To be fair, we are going to play 17 games and try to win them all, whether it is Preston or Norwich.

We are not going to away games thinking that one point will be enough. We have seen all the opponents now and we know if we play at our best, we are capable of beating them.

"We have got to be realistic, but there is no doubt we can beat anyone. We have proved that we are second to none. The outcome has been quite disappointing, against Millwall and Manchester City, but it is just about repeating those sort of performances.

"It is a really thin line between playing well and getting results, and playing well and not getting them. It is down to belief. This is not time to feel sorry for ourselves.

"We have got to go for it. We have nothing to lose and if people have written us off, then that is to our advantage. We can come on the blind side, as dark horses."