Carvalhal is a driving force
SHOCKER: Defeat by Sunderland was the last straw for Warburton, who was surprised to be sacked JUDGING by the first few whirlwind days of Carlos Carvalhal’s reign, the new Swansea manager will be leaving no stone unturned to preserve the club’s Premier League status.
Sacked by Sheffield Wednesday on Christmas Eve, within four days he was up at 4am making a fivehour dash up the motorway from his Yorkshire home to take training at Swansea.
He was not even meant to be in the dugout for this late comeback win at Watford.
But such is the Portuguese’s determination to prove the critics wrong following his bewildering appointment, Carvalhal was there.
“Christmas was a little strange, I was in Sheffield with my wife and son,” he said. “We celebrated as a three, not with big family, because I could not travel to Portugal.
“I then received calls to work from Japan, Turkey, the United small step. We will now prepare for Tottenham on the bus.”
Carvalhal will know it will not always be this straightforward with three of his substitutes paving the way for a much-needed win.
Swans defender Kyle Naughton has accepted a charge of violent conduct for stamping on Watford’s Stefano Okaka.
Naughton has been banned for three games after the incident was missed by the referee.
Do not let this result fool you. For large spells on Saturday it was a depressingly familiar story for Swansea. There was endeavour but little quality.
Andre Carrillo headed Watford in front in the 11th minute.
Jordan Ayew touched home Oliver McBurnie’s header following fellow substitute Luciano Narsingh’s 86th-minute cross.
Narsingh then converted the loose ball after Nathan Dyer, another substitute, had seen his powerful shot spilled.
Swansea, lowest scorers in the top flight, at least gave it a go under Carvalhal. Two strikers, rather than the lone frontman favoured by Paul Clement, occupied Watford’s defence.
“The manager had to remind us to do the basics – run, run, run and be aggressive – and we won because of it,” said Ayew.
“He was vocal because we were not winning enough duels, were not aggressive enough.
“He told us to win our duels first and then play our football. In the second half that’s what we did and we got what he wanted.”
Watford have now lost five of their last six games and face Manchester City tomorrow night.
“I don’t know how we lost it,” said Hornets midfielder Ben Watson. “We were in control, didn’t kill it off and got punished. It’s not the first time this season we’ve paid the price.”
WATFORD (4-2-3-1):