MX23RW : Saturday, November 16 05:53:34| >> :600:635405:635405:

Watford boss Gracia happy to have selection headache

Watford boss Gracia happy to have selection headache
© Reuters
Some of Watford's fringe players impressed in FA Cup victory over Newcastle.

Javi Gracia has welcomed the selection headache given to him by his squad players after a much-changed lineup won against Newcastle in the FA Cup.

Gracia made 11 changes for the trip to St James' Park on Saturday and saw his players pick up a 2-0 win to book a spot in the fifth round of the cup.

He came in for criticism for the selection, but it has given him plenty to ponder ahead of the Premier League meeting with Tottenham on Wednesday as he considers how many of his first choice regulars to recall.

Andre Gray and Isaac Success were two players in particular who made a case for selection, netting once each to stake a claim to displace captain Troy Deeney.

"Believe me, it is not a problem," Gracia told the club website. "I am delighted with this. I am very pleased with all my players, especially Andre and Isaac, who scored in the last game.

"This is very, very good for the team to have different options. I trust all of them and they are waiting for their moment to show their level."

The Hornets remain without Abdoulaye Doucoure however, with the midfielder – who has been absent since the win at Crystal Palace – still not ready to return to training with the first team.

"We are in the same situation as last week," said Gracia.

"(Sebastian) Prodl, Kiko (Femenia) and Doucoure are not training with the team at this moment. We are waiting for them to come back. We are trying to help Doucoure recover as soon as possible because he is an important player for us.

"He has a little problem in his knee, but he feels better day by day but in this moment not enough to train and play with the team.

"One week ago, I thought he will be ready quicker but it wasn't possible. I'm sure in the next days he will be ready."

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', 'd19f4102-f9bd-4360-bb8b-31ce6e212aac');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension3', 'paservice:sport,paservice:sport:club-news,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': 'Watford boss Gracia happy to have selection headache'});

ID:348453: cacheID:348453:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3870:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Isaac Success in action for Watford on December 4, 2018
Read Next:
Isaac Success dreaming of FA Cup glory for Watford
>
Read more about Javi Gracia Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Sunderland1594225111431
2Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd1510321971231
3Leeds UnitedLeeds158522491529
4Burnley157621861227
5West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom15672169725
6Watford158162322125
7Middlesbrough157352317624
8Millwall156541813523
9Blackburn RoversBlackburn156451917222
10Bristol City155732019122
11Swansea CitySwansea155461110119
12Derby CountyDerby155461919019
13Stoke CityStoke155461819-119
14Norwich CityNorwich154652322118
15Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds155371725-818
16Oxford UnitedOxford Utd154561718-117
17Coventry CityCoventry154472021-116
18Plymouth ArgylePlymouth154471526-1116
19Hull City153661620-415
20Preston North EndPreston153661523-815
21Luton TownLuton154381726-915
22Cardiff CityCardiff154381423-915
23Portsmouth152671628-1212
24Queens Park RangersQPR151771225-1310


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!