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JAVI GRACIA has distanced himself from Watford’s red-card record as the Premier League’s dirtiest team of recent seasons.
Christian Kabasele’s sending-off against Bournemouth was the Hornets’ 15th dismissal since the start of 2015-16 – more than any top-flight club – but their first on Gracia’s watch, and the first since December.
Watford’s boss insists he does not have a dirty team, saying: “I don’t know what happened before in the last three years, but what I can say is that we need to improve on our last game.
“I am not going to be critical of referees or certain players, but this was the first red card since I came here and we try to avoid them.
“It is not possible to play against very good teams in the Premier League with only 10 men.”
Gracia’s side won their first four games on the bounce, but they head for Molineux with only one point to show from their last four, culminating in a 4-0 home thrashing by Bournemouth.
The 48-year-old Spaniard (below) is not worried by the slump but added: “We got a very bad result in our last match, but it’s only one game.
“I expect the best of my players and we need to show all our desire and ambition again.”
As a coach, Gracia has never stayed put for longer than the two years he was at Malaga, but he is in talks with the Hornets about extending his 18-month contract, which expires in
June.
He said: “I would like to be here more time because I am very settled here.
“I see my long-term future at
Watford and I can fulfil my ambitions at this club.
“I feel the love here, we are talking and the discussion is going well.”