MX23RW : Wednesday, January 23 06:10:03

Javi Gracia: I'll toast Newcastle Brown to Graham Taylor if Watford beat Burnley

Javi Gracia: I'll toast Newcastle Brown to Graham Taylor if Watford beat Burnley
© Reuters
Watford will mark the two-year anniversary of Taylor's death with a scarf tribute before kick-off at Vicarage Road.

Javi Gracia will toast a bottle of Newcastle Brown Ale to Graham Taylor if Watford beat Burnley on Saturday.

Watford will mark the two-year anniversary of Taylor's death with a scarf tribute before kick-off at Vicarage Road, while fans will also be given a complimentary drink in his honour.

Former England boss Taylor, who is regarded as Watford's greatest-ever manager after he took the club from the fourth division to the top tier in just five years, died on January 12, 2017, aged 72.

Woking manager Alan Dowson gave Gracia a bottle of his native Newcastle Brown Ale following their FA Cup third-round clash earlier this month.

"It is sitting there, and I am waiting for a good moment to have it, so if we win this game, that might be the moment," said Gracia.

"I am looking forward to seeing the (scarf) display, and I want to enjoy the moment and celebrate the memories of Graham Taylor.

"It will be good for the team to see everyone; the fans, the players, and the club together, because together we are stronger."

Gracia, who will on Monday mark one year in charge of Watford after he was appointed to succeed Marco Silva, has guided the Hornets to a lofty seventh in the Premier League table.

His side will head into Saturday's fixture against Burnley with just one defeat – a 2-1 Boxing Day loss to Chelsea – from their last seven league matches.

"My personal style is to try to be as I am," added Gracia, who was awarded a new four-and-a-half-year deal in December.

"I don't try to do something I don't believe or to say something I don't believe in.

"I try to work the same way I live. I don't change my personality, and the players realise this and feel comfortable with this.

"When I have to shout, I do it and they know that, but I don't do anything different with the players than I do with the workers in the canteen.

"I speak to them the same way, as I am the coach and they help us. No one is more important than another."

Andre Gray could return from injury to feature against his former club, while Christian Kabasele, who collided with a post in the defeat against Chelsea, is also back in contention.

Midfielder Will Hughes however, is set to miss out with the concussion he sustained in last weekend's victory at Crystal Palace.


Click here for more stories about Javi Gracia

Click here for more stories about Watford

Share this article now:
Liverpool's Mohamed Salah celebrates scoring against Brighton & Hove Albion on January 12, 2019.
Read Next:
PL Team of the Week - Salah, Pogba, De Gea
>

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool23193154134160
2Manchester CityMan City23182362174556
3Tottenham HotspurSpurs23170648232551
4Chelsea23145440192147
5Arsenal23135548321644
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd23135546331344
7Watford239683232033
8Wolverhampton WanderersWolves239592731-432
9Leicester CityLeicester2394102929031
10West Ham UnitedWest Ham2394103034-431
11Everton238693433130
12Bournemouth2393113342-930
13Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2375112532-726
14Crystal Palace2364132332-922
15Southampton2357112540-1522
16Burnley2364132343-2022
17Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2356121931-1221
18Cardiff CityCardiff2354141944-2519
19Fulham2335152151-3014
20Huddersfield TownHuddersfield2325161340-2711

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel
Login, I already have my ad-free pass
Log in to customise Sports Mole
Buy ad-free access (show me the options)
Buy monthly ad-free access for £1.20/month
Buy yearly ad-free access for £12 (2 months free)
Settings - Logout - Manage your account
Settings - Logout - Manage your account