The departure of Javi Gracia from Watford has expanded the Hornets’ squad considerably. This growth is not just due to late January acquisitions but also includes players the Spaniard had overlooked for both the starting lineup and the bench.
Gracia must have had his reasons for not selecting certain players; factors such as their performance in games, training, and overall attitude likely played a significant role.
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For those like Formose Mendy, Jeremy Petris, and Pierre Dwomoh, who struggled to make the squad, as well as Nestory Irankunda, Kwadwoo Baah, and Papy Mendy, who were not expected to start, there’s now an opening under the guidance of Charlie Daniels and his coaching team, including Dan Gosling and Adrian Mariappa.
This was evident in their first match in charge on Tuesday, where Mendy started, and other players previously sidelined were on the bench.
Watford performed well against third-placed Hull, showcasing an impressive display in the 0-0 draw at MGM Stadium.
With a point to prove, the players appeared to play with a relaxed sense of freedom, a stark contrast to Gracia’s final match where they seemed chaotic and lost control.
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Gracia harbored frustrations with the club, feeling let down due to the lack of experienced reinforcements to support the younger players. This growing irritation was compounded by his concerns over disenchanted players he couldn’t trust, signaling a long-standing issue.
One of Watford’s most astute signings in January could turn out to be the loan acquisition of Pierre Ekwah, who joined shortly after Gracia’s exit. The midfielder performed well at Sunderland and aligns with the type of player Gracia sought.
Centre-back Saba Goglichidze also joined on loan from Udinese.
The most intriguing addition appears to be 17-year-old Stephen Mfuni from Manchester City, who enjoyed a fantastic debut at Hull. Meanwhile, new recruit Edoardo Bove is still a few weeks away from action following a cardiac arrest over a year ago.
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On paper, this Championship squad looks solid post-transfer window, though a bit more experience in both attack and defense would have enhanced it.
Ultimately, whether Watford can contend for play-offs and promotion may hinge on the team’s attitude when faced with challenges.