Watford FC warned about "extremely foolish" Javi Gracia decision | OneFootball

FLW's Watford Fan Pundit Justin gives his thoughts on Javi Gracia's future amid a strange run of form.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Watford find themselves in a bizarre run of form.

The Hornets have lost just once across their last eight Championship matches. Though during this time, Javi Gracia's side have won just twice, drawing 1-1 on four occasions.

Gracia returned to the club in October after guiding Watford to the 2019 FA Cup final and securing the best-ever Premier League finish of 11th at Vicarage Road. However, the recent run has seen the Spaniard come under criticism among the Hornets' faithful.

Football League World's Watford Fan Pundit, Justin Beattie, has given his thoughts on the matter, suggesting that Gracia has earned time at the helm.

"He has still got time" - Javi Gracia claim made as Watford struggle for wins

"Although his 4-4-2 tactics are drawing some ire from some sections of social media, alongside him sticking to his guns, I think we have to look at how many games he has lost since he has been in charge," said Justin when asked whether there is any faith lost in Gracia.

"Off the top of my head, we have lost one in eight? Which isn't that bad. And where we are sitting in the table, we are not that far off the play-off places."

The Hornets dispatched high-flying Middlesbrough 3-0 at the beginning of November, and have lost just once since, with Birmingham City securing a 2-1 win last week.

The problem: Watford have won just twice, 3-2 against Derby County and Norwich City respectively, while they have picked up 1-1 draws against Ipswich, Bristol City, Preston and Sheffield Wednesday.

"While some of the results are narrow margins, and we are not keeping clean sheets, we are still winning and drawing matches," added Justin.

"I think that we have been hampered by injuries. There is a combination of things that are presenting themselves with less flattering results. I think he has still got time, he has only been in post for two months, and I think it would be extremely foolish if they thought about replacing him now."

Since Gracia's return in early October, Watford have lost just three times. Though the number of draws is a concern. Concluding, Justin suggested that this could be fixed soon.

"I think his job is safe, and I think with a few tweaks and a bit of luck, we should see some better results coming our way."

Returning players could make a big difference for Watford

Watford has been hampered by injuries in the final third throughout the campaign.

Attacking midfielder Giorgio Chakvetadze returned against Preston North End at the end of November and has gradually picked up more and more minutes, with the Georgian starting for the first time this season in their recent 1-1 draw against Sheffield Wednesday.

Chakvetadze scored twice and registered six assists under Tom Cleverley last term, and his reintegration could bring more spark in the final third.

Rocco Vata is also facing time on the sidelines, with the winger set to be out until the end of January after scoring twice and providing two assists across 10 matches this term. Alongside Vata, Kwadwo Baah is also expected to return in the new year, while Caleb Wiley and Jack Grieves are working towards a full recovery.

Four draws in eight have been uninspiring for Hornets fans, though the added spark in the final third could be the difference in these knife-edge fixtures.

Gracia has earned time with supporters due to his previous exploits, and the current form isn't quite a sackable offence. But turning draws into wins will be huge moving forward when it comes to Watford's play-off ambitions.