Can Hornets sting United?

– Four games into the new season, the top of the Premier League already has a familiar feel bar the presence of Javi Gracia’s Watford nestled alongside Liverpool and Chelsea.

Tipped for another season in which just beating the drop would be deemed a success, the Spanish coach (above) has led the Hornets to a club-record start, winning their opening four topflight league games.

Such a stunning start – including the scalp of Tottenham in their last outing – has some Watford fans dreaming of following Leicester’s incredible march to the title in 2015/16.

But with another of the top-six elite, Manchester United, rolling into Vicarage Road this weekend, Gracia has his feet firmly on the ground.

“We are in good form, we are enjoying it, but there will come a bad time when we’ll have to suffer and that’s fine,” Gracia (above) told

A highly respected coach from La Liga spells with Osasuna and Malaga, Gracia was hired in January to ensure an alarming slump in form did not turn into a relegation battle.

Survival was secured, but a run of just one win in Watford’s final nine games of the campaign did not hint at greater things to come, particularly when Brazilian international Richarlison was sold to Everton.

Of his unchanged starting XI for the first four games, 10 were already at the club last season with the only exception being goalkeeper Ben Foster, now in his second spell at the club.

Gracia believes one of his own players could provide the solution to England’s need for a midfield playmaker.

Will Hughes played under Southgate during his time as England under-21 boss, and Gracia expects him soon to become the first Watford player to represent England since John Barnes more than 30 years ago.

“I’m sure that in the shortterm he will be part of the England team,” Gracia said.

Hughes has the perfect platform to make his case when he comes up against a World Cup winner in Paul Pogba today as Manchester United visit Vicarage Road. –

London

There will come a bad time when we’ll have to suffer and that’s fine.

Javi Gracia Watford manager