MX23RW : Thursday, February 7 13:13:09

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."


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Watford's Ben Foster makes a save against Brighton on February 2, 2019
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Javi Gracia praises 'brilliant' Ben Foster as Watford hold Brighton to draw
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City26202468204862
2Liverpool25195156154162
3Tottenham HotspurSpurs25190651242757
4Chelsea25155545232250
5Manchester UnitedMan Utd25146549351448
6Arsenal25145651361547
7Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2511593332138
8Watford259793334-134
9Everton2696113638-233
10Bournemouth25103123744-733
11Leicester CityLeicester2595113031-132
12West Ham UnitedWest Ham2595113138-732
13Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2576122736-927
14Crystal Palace2575132633-726
15Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2566132133-1224
16Southampton2559112742-1524
17Burnley2566132646-2024
18Cardiff CityCardiff2564152246-2422
19Fulham2545162555-3017
20Huddersfield TownHuddersfield2525181346-3311

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