WATFORD have placed Neil Cox, Clint Easton and David Perpetuini on the transfer list. Incoming manager Luca Vialli has watched videos of the Hornets in action, as well as seeing them play live, and is already laying plans for next season.

Vialli has intimated that several more could be placed on the transfer list - alongside Allan Smart, the striker who requested a move during the season.

"He has reviewed staff and looked at the way he wants to play things," said Watford's chief executive Tim Shaw, who had to inform the three players. "Luca has not got a relationship with any of the players, so it was down to us to tell them."

Neither Easton nor Perpetuini have featured much in the first team this season, although both were involved in the squad on the opening day of the campaign.

Easton has made 78 appearances for Watford, and Perpetuini 18, since they broke through from the youth team.

Neil Cox, who cost £500,000 from Bolton, appeared to have settled early on in the campaign, after being something of a disappointment last season. A regular in the first team, Graham Taylor described Cox recently as being "a good passer of the ball and very good at going forward". However, Taylor did point out that Cox "does not get tight on people" in defensive situations.

Taylor added: "He has this feeling that he is not that quick, and gets very concerned when people try to run him. It is never too late to learn, even at 29. I could see Neil playing wide midfield on the right, being a great passer and a great crosser."

Ironically, Allan Smart and Luca Vialli will be on the same coaching course, taking their final coaching badge exams this summer.