MX23RW : Friday, May 10 11:04:27| >> :120:18485:18485:
[monks data]
Attendance: 30,414
Brighton logo
Premier League | Gameweek 25
Feb 2, 2019 at 3pm UK
 
Watford logo

0-0

FT

Settled Gracia enjoying life at Watford as Hornets continue Premier League rise

Settled Gracia enjoying life at Watford as Hornets continue Premier League rise
© Reuters
The Spaniard replaced Marco Silva at Vicarage Road in January 2018.

Javi Gracia says Watford feels like home after becoming the club's longest-serving Premier League manager.

Spaniard Gracia, appointed in January 2018, took charge of the Hornets for the 39th time in the top flight during Saturday's goalless draw at Brighton.

There has been a high turnover of managers at Vicarage Road in recent seasons, with Quique Sanchez Flores, Walter Mazzarri and Marco Silva all coming and going since promotion from the Championship in 2015.

But Gracia, who has a contract until 2023, is settled and enjoying life in Hertfordshire.

"To achieve something like that I think the most important thing is to keep always focused on the next day," the 48-year-old said of his record.

"From the moment I arrived here I can say I felt very comfortable and I think it's a club where I'm feeling really well.

"I don't know the time other coaches have been, I don't know my future in this club but I'm enjoying the present and trying to do my best.

"I don't like to speak about the future, I don't like to speak about the past. I prefer to be focused on the present because I think it's the best way to achieve important things.

"In this team, it's our ambition in this moment to try to be demanding and try to continue in the next games keeping our level and at the end of the season we'll see where we are.

"But nothing special about me, I prefer to be focused on the team."

Watford climbed to eighth in the table following the stalemate at the Amex Stadium.

The Hornets were second best on the south coast and would have left empty-handed had it not been for an inspired performance from goalkeeper Ben Foster.

Albion, who have now picked up just two points from five league games in 2019, were dealt a blow in the build-up to the game when midfielder Dale Stephens pulled out injured in the warm-up to be replaced by Yves Bissouma.

Mali international Bissouma has now made nine league starts since his £15million summer move from French club Lille and Seagulls boss Chris Hughton expects the 22-year-old to push for more regular first-team football.

"Bissouma showed a lot of the qualities that he has," said Hughton.

"I think he needs more games and I think he'll continue to develop with us.

"He's a younger player with really good ability and was certainly not fazed by the late call-up."

ga('create', 'UA-72310761-1', 'auto', {'name': 'pacontentapi'});
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'referrer', location.origin);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension1', 'By Ed Elliot, Press Association Sport');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension2', 'f9c6ed57-4ba1-406d-ad88-93c3553f02e6');
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': 'Settled Gracia enjoying life at Watford as Hornets continue Premier League rise'});

ID:349204: cacheID:349204:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4878:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Watford's Ben Foster makes a save against Brighton on February 2, 2019
Read Next:
Javi Gracia praises 'brilliant' Ben Foster as Watford hold Brighton to draw
>
Read more about Javi Gracia Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal36265588286083
2Manchester CityMan City35257387335482
3Liverpool36239481384378
4Aston Villa36207973532067
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs351861169581160
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle351751378562256
7Chelsea351591170591154
8Manchester UnitedMan Utd35166135255-354
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham361310135670-1449
10Bournemouth36139145263-1148
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton351211125357-447
12Wolverhampton WanderersWolves36137164960-1146
13Fulham36128165155-444
14Crystal Palace361110154957-843
15Everton36129153849-1137
16Brentford3699185260-836
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3689194563-1829
18Luton TownLuton3668224978-2926
19Burnley3659223974-3524
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd36372635100-6516


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!