Watford boss Slaven Bilic feels Reading mirror their manager, Paul Ince, and will prove a tough opponent.

The Croatian, who recently took over following the dismissal of Rob Edwards, was a Premier League defender with West Ham and Everton in the 1990s, coming up against Ince as a player for club and country.

Speaking to the Watford Observer, the former Hammers boss admits Ince has stamped his image on the Royals' outfit.

"Paul Ince was a top, top player,” he said.

“What was it they used to call him - The Governor. There was good reason for that.

“At that time he was a typical leader on the field, a box to box player. He wasn’t just a good player, he was a top player.

“His Reading team are like him. They are compact and organised, but they are also brave and they play on the front foot. They are exactly what he used to be himself.”

The Hornets are coming into the fixture in mixed form, losing on Saturday to Coventry City.

Their first defeat in four, the experienced manager has remained calm.

“There’s no reason to panic here, because it was a good performance everywhere apart from in and around the box,” said Bilić. “I’m disappointed, but certainly not angry. I said to the guys that this feels completely different to the Millwall game, or Blackpool."