WAGNER NOT FEELING HUDD DONE BY
YOU do not have to look too hard to find Watford players enjoying their football at the moment, but Roberto Pereyra might just be the feelgood story of the Javi Gracia era.
His early stunner here took his tally to five goals already this term, equalling his best return for a league campaign.
And Pereyra now has nine goals since Gracia pitched up at Vicarage Road back in January – four more than any other Hornet has managed in that time.
While the midfielder has always been a classy operator, the added goal threat has taken him to the next level.
No wonder he spent the international break playing
– and also scoring – for Argentina. Gracia said: “Roberto has been performing at a high level since the moment I arrived.
“We are really enjoying him at the moment.
“He’s scoring and working hard. I see his commitment and his ambition in every training session. I know he’s able to do these things. It’s not a surprise to me when he scores a goal like he did today.”
Huddersfield, by contrast, went into a state of shock when Pereyra drifted in from the left flank with nine minutes on the clock. There appeared to be little danger at first, but the Town defence rolled out the red
carpet, failing to muster a challenge and inviting a shot that crept under Jonas Lossl (below).
It was the mark of a player at the height of his powers. “The one he scored against Wolves, with his left foot, was amazing, too,” added Gracia.
“He’s able to do different things because he’s confident.”
Watford, who had survived a couple of scares in the opening exchanges, doubled their advantage shortly after.
It was a dribbling masterclass, Gerard Deulofeu jinking inside Chris Lowe and leaving Jonathan Hogg for dead before firing home emphatically.
Lowe almost made amends with a rocket that Ben Foster tipped on to the bar, but the DAVID WAGNER insists that Huddersfield will not be throwing in the towel despite their underwhelming start to the season. The Terriers are rock-bottom of the Premier League table after 10 games, with a paltry four goals to their name. But boss Wagner said his men have not lost heart and will keep fighting. “We don’t have a problem with morale and confidence,” said the German. “I think the players showed Terriers never looked likely to get back into the game and were finally put out of their misery when Isaac Success polished off a slick free-kick routine for Watford.
It was a fine way for the Hornets to mark their 200th game in the Premier League, and there was more good news after the final whistle as Gracia hinted he would gladly extend his current deal with the club.
“At this moment, the contract is not the most important thing,” said the Spaniard. “I don’t need a new contract to do my best in search of better results. But if they want, I’ll stay longer. I’m happy here and comfortable.” that today in the first 10 minutes, when they really began on the front foot. They have shown it in recent weeks, too.”
Yet, that lively start was undone by two quickfire goals at Watford, and Wagner admitted his side made it easy.
He added: “We came up against quality wingers, but this is the Premier League and we should have dealt with it better.
“If you don’t defend actively and aggressively, you will not stop them.”