GRACIA: I’M IN THE HOT SEAT
JAVI GRACIA described himself as “on fire“but he will need a cool head after being pitched into the Watford managerial madhouse.
The Spaniard, 47, is the 10th head coach used since the Pozzo family took over at Vicarage Road in 2012.
The Hornets fans cheerily sang “We’re Watford FC, we sack who we want” during the FA Cup defeat at St Mary’s – and it was probably lucky he couldn’t understand them.
He has joined a side that has lost seven of their last 10 games in the Premier League and saw players arguing with fans after the defeat.
And Gracia knows with almost a full team out injured he has his work cut out steadying the ship after Marco Silva’s dismissal.
Asked if the sacking culture was now endemic, he said: “It is accepted in every country and every league and every team that managers and coaches are in danger.
“You are on fire, we say in Spanish… meaning there are many risks and you are in danger. And I don’t see any big difference here to other countries. I don’t know how long it will take to get over my ideas to the players.
“We tried to improve and maybe did something – but it is hard to give an exact time.
“Experiences like this match will make us better We can speak about the match and the mistakes, and it will be important to work on those.
“Out of the FA Cup, we have more days to work in two or three weeks’ time, we need time to improve and work, at least for that it will be better.”
Gracia, whose last job was in Russia with Rubin Kazan, added: “In England the level is higher – it is one of the best leagues, or the best, in the world. I was happy to work there and I am very happy to be working now in England.”
The winner came with Jack Stephens tucking away a rebound after Orestis Karnezis had saved Shane Long’s effort from Ryan Bertrand’s freekick with his legs.
Saints boss Mauricio Pellegrino, reportedly under huge pressure recently, cut a more assured figure after two good performances in a row against Spurs and Watford.
He said: “The team can take confidence forwards into the Premier League games ahead.
“But it was also very important to see us grow as a team and to believe in our football, and our style.”
Ryan Bertrand is a doubt for the sixpointer against Brighton on Wednesday after a recurrence of a hamstring injury.