Watford are in the midst of an unusual spell of form.
Despite suffering only a single defeat in their last eight Championship fixtures, Javi Gracia’s side have managed just two victories in that span, with four of those matches ending in 1-1 stalemates.
Gracia returned to Vicarage Road in October, having previously led the club to the 2019 FA Cup final and their highest-ever Premier League finish of 11th. Even so, this recent sequence has prompted sections of the fanbase to question aspects of his management.
Football League World’s resident Watford supporter, Justin Beattie, weighed in on the situation, arguing that Gracia deserves patience.
“He has still got time” — Pundit backs Javi Gracia amid Watford’s win shortage
“Some supporters on social media are frustrated with his 4-4-2 setup and his determination to stick with it,” Justin said when asked whether confidence in Gracia has dipped. “But if you look at the losses since he came in, there haven’t been many. Off the top of my head we’ve lost one in eight, which isn’t terrible. And considering our place in the table, we’re still close to the play-off picture.”
Watford’s standout result came in early November when they swept aside promotion-chasing Middlesbrough 3-0. Since then, only Birmingham City have beaten them, claiming a 2-1 victory last week.
The issue, however, is the lack of wins. The Hornets have beaten Derby County and Norwich City 3-2, but have been held to 1-1 draws by Ipswich, Bristol City, Preston, and Sheffield Wednesday.
“Some of the games have been decided by fine margins, and we’re struggling to keep clean sheets,” Justin continued. “But we’re still picking up points. Injuries have definitely played a part, and a few different factors are contributing to these less impressive results. He’s only been back for two months, so replacing him now would be extremely foolish.”
Since Gracia’s October return, Watford have lost only three matches overall, but the volume of draws remains a lingering concern. Even so, Justin believes that issue can be solved.
“I think his position is secure, and with one or two adjustments and a bit of luck, I’m confident we’ll see an improvement.”
Injury returns could lift Watford in the coming weeks
Injuries—particularly in attacking areas—have weighed heavily on the team.
Giorgio Chakvetadze came back into the fold against Preston at the end of November and has steadily built up minutes, earning his first start of the season in the most recent 1-1 draw with Sheffield Wednesday. Last season, the Georgian midfielder provided two goals and six assists under Tom Cleverley, and his return should add creativity to the forward line.
Rocco Vata remains sidelined until late January after contributing two goals and two assists in ten appearances. Kwadwo Baah is also on track for a new-year comeback, while Caleb Wiley and Jack Grieves continue their recovery processes.
While four draws in eight games have left supporters frustrated, reinforcements in attacking areas could prove decisive in these tight encounters.
Gracia’s past achievements have given him credit with the fanbase, and the current run isn’t close to grounds for dismissal. However, sharpening their edge in close games—and turning those draws into wins—will be essential if Watford hope to make a genuine push for the play-offs.