MX23RW : Thursday, December 19 16:44:44| >> :120:12416:12416:

Watford boss Gracia happy to have selection headache

Watford boss Gracia happy to have selection headache
© Reuters
Some of Watford's fringe players impressed in FA Cup victory over Newcastle.

Javi Gracia has welcomed the selection headache given to him by his squad players after a much-changed lineup won against Newcastle in the FA Cup.

Gracia made 11 changes for the trip to St James' Park on Saturday and saw his players pick up a 2-0 win to book a spot in the fifth round of the cup.

He came in for criticism for the selection, but it has given him plenty to ponder ahead of the Premier League meeting with Tottenham on Wednesday as he considers how many of his first choice regulars to recall.

Andre Gray and Isaac Success were two players in particular who made a case for selection, netting once each to stake a claim to displace captain Troy Deeney.

"Believe me, it is not a problem," Gracia told the club website. "I am delighted with this. I am very pleased with all my players, especially Andre and Isaac, who scored in the last game.

"This is very, very good for the team to have different options. I trust all of them and they are waiting for their moment to show their level."

The Hornets remain without Abdoulaye Doucoure however, with the midfielder – who has been absent since the win at Crystal Palace – still not ready to return to training with the first team.

"We are in the same situation as last week," said Gracia.

"(Sebastian) Prodl, Kiko (Femenia) and Doucoure are not training with the team at this moment. We are waiting for them to come back. We are trying to help Doucoure recover as soon as possible because he is an important player for us.

"He has a little problem in his knee, but he feels better day by day but in this moment not enough to train and play with the team.

"One week ago, I thought he will be ready quicker but it wasn't possible. I'm sure in the next days he will be ready."

ga('create', 'UA-72310761-1', 'auto', {'name': 'pacontentapi'});
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'referrer', location.origin);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension1', 'By Press Association Sport staff');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension2', 'd19f4102-f9bd-4360-bb8b-31ce6e212aac');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension3', 'paservice:sport,paservice:sport:club-news,paservice:sport:football');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension6', 'story');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension7', 'composite');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension8', null);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension9', 'sport:football');
ga('pacontentapi.send', 'pageview', { 'location': location.href, 'page': (location.pathname + location.search + location.hash), 'title': 'Watford boss Gracia happy to have selection headache'});

ID:348453: cacheID:348453:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3870:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Isaac Success in action for Watford on December 4, 2018
Read Next:
Isaac Success dreaming of FA Cup glory for Watford
>
Read more about Javi Gracia Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd21145230111945
2Leeds UnitedLeeds21126337152242
3Burnley2111822681841
4Sunderland21117332171540
5Blackburn RoversBlackburn2011452517837
6Middlesbrough21104735251034
7Watford2010462926334
8West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom2171132416832
9Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds218582630-429
10Swansea CitySwansea217682322127
11Bristol City216962626027
12Norwich CityNorwich216873632426
13Millwall206772018225
14Derby CountyDerby216692626024
15Coventry CityCoventry216692730-324
16Preston North EndPreston2141162127-623
17Stoke CityStoke215792328-522
18Queens Park RangersQPR2141072127-622
19Luton TownLuton2164112337-1422
20Oxford UnitedOxford Utd2046102133-1218
21Cardiff CityCardiff2046101932-1318
22Portsmouth193882134-1317
23Plymouth ArgylePlymouth2045111942-2317
24Hull City2137111930-1116


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!