MX23RW : Monday, December 23 08:13:20| >> :600:259800:259800:
[monks data]
Attendance: 30,387
Cardiff City logo
Premier League | Gameweek 27
Feb 22, 2019 at 7.45pm UK
 
Watford logo

1-5

Bamba (82')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Deulofeu (18', 61', 63'), Deeney (73', 91')

Javi Gracia: Watford can play much better

The Spaniard has called on his team to improve.

Watford manager Javi Gracia insists his side must improve in the race to secure European football.

The Hornets have enjoyed a steady campaign, and are just two points adrift of Wolves in seventh place and qualification for next season's Europa League.

They are also only two matches away from an FA Cup final after reaching the last eight courtesy of a 1-0 win at QPR last Friday, while they have lost just one of their last 10 matches in all competitions.

But, speaking ahead of his side's Premier League clash at Cardiff on Friday night, Gracia said:  "To be honest in this moment, I like to be more demanding than others because I think we can do much better.

"We can play much better than we did in the last games.

"The results are good, but I think it is the moment to be demanding if we want to keep our level until the end of the season.

"All is possible, but I don't like to think about if we are going to finish in seventh or 12th position.

"I prefer to be focused on the next game and to try and get the next three points because it is the only way I know to improve our position at the end of the season."

Gracia will welcome back Roberto Pereyra for their visit to south Wales.

The forward has scored six times for the Hornets this season, but has missed the last three matches with a calf problem

Isaac Success is also back in contention, but Kiko Femenia remains sidelined.

ga('create', 'UA-72310761-1', 'auto', {'name': 'pacontentapi'});
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'referrer', location.origin);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension1', 'By Press Association Sport Staff');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension2', '61b64e85-b9fe-4146-be92-d3a7e71838e7');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension3', 'paservice:sport,paservice:sport:football');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension6', 'story');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension7', 'composite');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension8', null);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension9', 'sport:football');
ga('pacontentapi.send', 'pageview', { 'location': location.href, 'page': (location.pathname + location.search + location.hash), 'title': 'Javi Gracia: Watford can play much better'});

ID:350938: cacheID:350938:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3484:
Written by
P A
No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Troy Deeney celebrates scoring for Watford on January 2, 2019
Read Next:
We were sloppy, but we ground out the win, says Watford's Deeney
>
Read more about Javi Gracia Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd22155232112148
2Leeds UnitedLeeds22136341152645
3Burnley2212822891944
4Sunderland22127334181643
5Blackburn RoversBlackburn2111462518737
6Middlesbrough22105738281035
7West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom22811326161035
8Watford2110473028234
9Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds229582830-232
10Millwall217772118328
11Swansea CitySwansea227692424027
12Bristol City226972628-227
13Norwich CityNorwich226883734326
14Queens Park RangersQPR2251072328-525
15Luton TownLuton2274112538-1325
16Derby CountyDerby2266102728-124
17Coventry CityCoventry2266102834-624
18Preston North EndPreston2241172229-723
19Stoke CityStoke2257102330-722
20Portsmouth204882535-1020
21Hull City2247112131-1019
22Cardiff CityCardiff2146111934-1518
23Oxford UnitedOxford Utd2146112137-1618
24Plymouth ArgylePlymouth2146112245-2318


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!