Javi Gracia admitted his team must start games with more intensity after Watford were forced to come from behind twice in the first half against Norwich City.
The Hornets’ impressive home form looked vulnerable as the visitors went ahead on two occasions before the interval, with only a Luca Kjerrumgaard strike keeping the scores level. But Gracia’s side turned things around after the break.
Kjerrumgaard completed his third brace of the season at Vicarage Road, and Tom Ince netted the decisive goal with 12 minutes remaining to seal a 3–2 win, extending Watford’s unbeaten home run to seven matches.
“I’m not very pleased today because this isn’t how we want to play,” Gracia said. “We need consistency across the full 90 minutes, not just in the second half.
“They were the better team in the first half, created good chances, and scored more goals.
“The most positive thing for us was the reaction after half-time.”
Watford were handed another setback after 30 minutes when Giorgi Chakvetadze — making his first start of the season — was forced off with a knee issue following a collision with Norwich goalkeeper Vladan Kovačević.
Gracia said the midfielder will be monitored ahead of Tuesday’s fixture against Sheffield Wednesday (December 9, 7:45pm), noting that the problem differs from the injury that sidelined him for nearly eight months.
“I don’t know the full extent yet, and I’d rather not say anything without all the information,” the Head Coach added.
“At the moment, I’m unsure if he’ll be fit for the next match.”
With just two full days of rest before bottom-placed Wednesday visit Vicarage Road, Gracia’s attention quickly turned to the upcoming challenge.
“It’s always a difficult game,” said the Spaniard. “This one even more so, because we don’t have much time to recover.
“But playing again at home, in front of our supporters, after a win is the best possible scenario.”