For the Hornets, it has been only a few weeks since Watford decided to part ways with manager Marco Silva. The Hornets have moved swiftly and has appointed Javi Gracia as his successor. Gracia’s first assignment as Watford manager was against Southampton in the FA Cup, which he ended up losing 1-0.
Watford’s decision to sack Marco Silva came as little surprise given his commitment issues at the club which resulted in their poor form of late. Reports had come out about Silva’s head being turned ever since rumours spread linking him with the managerial job at Everton surfaced.
The trigger-happy owners at Watford were never going to on agreeable terms with Silva’s floating concentration and made little flinches in appointing their tenth manager in under six years by bringing Gracia on board.
Silva’s departure leaves the club with a lot to prove especially since the Portuguese had done a decent job in his short spell at the Hornets. He assembled a decent squad which has the potential to stay up in the league but given the fact that the Hornets had just won one match in the league since the end of November, Gracia will have a job on his hands to recharge the sinking team.
He has, however, done well since and has won two matches and lost and drawn one apiece. One of their wins included a 4-1 thrashing of last year’s Premier League champions Chelsea. They routed a clueless Chelsea side and it gave the team a lot of confidence. The Hornets are currently in the 10th position in the table and the following 10 matches could be tricky. Despite being in the top half they are just 6 points clear of the drop and things can change in the space of a month for them.
They have a comfortable match against West Bromwich Albion coming up and they will hope to snatch all 3 points here. The Baggies are set for the drop and look like the bogey team of the season. Here is how Gracia will want to set his team up for the upcoming match.
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Defence
Orestis Karnezis will be expected in goal. The defensive quartet will be Daryl Janmaat at right back, Jose Holebas at left back and Adrian Mariappa and Sebastian Prodl as the two centre-backs.
Midfield
Etienne Capoue and Abdoulaye Doucoure will be at the base of the midfield.The number 10 role will be filled by Roberto Pereyra with Gerard Deulofeu on the right wing and Richarlison on the left wing.
Attack
Troy Deeney will be the forward up front.
