GRACIA: COLD? IT IS NOTHING COMPARED TO RUSSIA

JAVI GRACIA worked in temperatures of -20 degrees in his last job – so he has relished the relative mildness of the “Beast from the East”.

But Watford’s dreadful home record against teams near the bottom of the Premier League has sent a shiver down their manager’s spine – and Gracia (above) warned the Hornets he will stand for no more complacency against rock-bottom West Brom.

Gracia has enjoyed maximum points from his first two home games against Chelsea and Everton, and said: “This morning, I checked my phone and it was -20 in Kazan, where I worked before Watford, and it was minus-four here.

“I was happy, but it depends on different points of view how cold you think it is. I would like to tell you I will pay special attention to this game, but it is a lie – because I prepare the same way for all the games.

“It is true that maybe the players need to remember all these results and know it is not easy to win three home games in a row. For me, the attitude does not change, whether we are playing Chelsea, Everton or, in this case, West Brom.

“When the weather is cold, you have to adapt training sessions, and we change some things when the temperature is lower.

“But, in Russia, we tried to do only short sessions because you can’t stay out on the pitch for long. We tried to concentrate on the objectives, but you can only work in five or six-minute sessions when it is snowing there.”

Watford have appealed for assistance to help clear Vicarage Road of snow ahead of the game, promising complimentary match tickets to volunteers.

A statement on the club’s website said they would welcome volunteers “in order to help clear the pitch, stands and walkways”.

Will Hughes returns to the squad after a three-month lay-off, but winger Gerard Deulofeu will be out until next month with a stress fracture of the foot.