Hayden Mullins has revealed he exchanged text messages with Brendan Rodgers following Watford’s defeat to Leicester City as he seeks to plot a way of beating Crystal Palace tomorrow.

The Hornets interim head coach will again lead the side tomorrow, but this is set to be for a final time with the club closing in on appointing Nigel Pearson as Quique Sanchez Flores’ permanent successor.

Speaking yesterday, Mullins was appreciative of the text he received from the former Watford manager and his offer of help should he need it in the future.

“I did get a really nice text from Brendan Rodgers which was fantastic,” the Hornets caretaker boss said. “We exchanged a few messages and he was really complimentary of the side and offered his help whenever I needed it.

“It’s fantastic to go up against those calibre of managers and for him to be complimentary of our side was nice to know.”

Turning to the challenge of facing Roy Hodgson’s men at Vicarage Road tomorrow, Mullins said: “We’re looking at a style of play that is going to best suit us and try to get us as many goals as possible.

“I wasn’t part of the previous regime so I can’t comment on what they did and how they did it and set the team up. We need to set up and be positive the best way we can to try to affect the game against Crystal Palace.

“Confidence is one of the things where when you enjoy your football and you play well. It goes hand in hand and if you’re not confident it’s hard to play well because it’s tough.

“We’re going to try to affect them as best as we can. We’re going to try to attack them and hopefully be really positive in the final third."