{"id":1089292,"date":"2019-05-17T13:28:37","date_gmt":"2019-05-17T12:28:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?p=1089292"},"modified":"2021-09-14T16:43:16","modified_gmt":"2021-09-14T15:43:16","slug":"javi-gracia-watford-tactics-playing-style","status":"publish","type":"features","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/javi-gracia-watford-tactics-playing-style\/","title":{"rendered":"How record-breaker Javi Gracia tamed Watford’s organised chaos"},"content":{"rendered":"

It took 35 years, but Watford have finally returned to Wembley’s sacred turf for the FA Cup final, and they could go all the way thanks to the tactical ingenuity of Javi Gracia.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Hornets will contest the blockbuster bout this Saturday against Pep Guardiola’s seemingly immortal Manchester City, with the North West club looking to achieve an unprecedented domestic treble.<\/p>\n

However, the Catalan coach will not be\u00a0resting on his laurels when he faces his compatriot in the Wembley dugout, as\u00a0Gracia has\u00a0constructed a tactically-disciplined side brimming with talent, creativity and cohesion.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/audioboom.com\/posts\/7259525-if-guardiola-s-to-be-believed-liverpool-lost-the-league-with-one-result<\/p>\n

Since taking over in January 2018, the Pamplona-born tactician has revolutionised proceedings at Vicarage Road, transforming a once-stagnant Watford into genuine go-getters \u2013 a team with a purpose and direction. Despite slipping to 11th come the end of the season, Watford ended 2018\/19 with 50 points \u2013 their highest total in the Premier League era and a figure not achieved by the club in the top flight since the 1986-87 season.<\/p>\n

As a result, Gracia has become the first Watford manager during the Pozzo family era to sign a contract extension. 10th time’s the charm.<\/p>\n

He is the 10th Watford boss during the Pozzo family reign since 2012 and would become the first coach to sign a contract extension in their ownership.<\/p>\n

But how exactly has this cool and light-hearted character instilled a mean streak and menace into a Watford side potentially sitting on the verge of a first ever piece of elite silverware?<\/p>\n

Coherence and consistency<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Upon taking over from Marco Silva 16 months ago, the Hornets were enduring something of a downward spiral after such a positive start under the now-Everton boss, with the Hertfordshire club struggling for form and conviction.<\/p>\n

But instead of tearing up the blueprint implemented by his predecessor, Gracia used the first few months as a sort of bedding in process, making subtle changes and “little touches<\/a>“, tinkering with various formations – as well as personnel – and also getting to grips with the demands of arguably Europe’s most gruelling league.<\/p>\n

A back-three and 4-2-3-1 were both experimented with, while Richarlison was deployed in several roles, as was\u00a0Tom Cleverley, but not really to great effect as Watford tamely limped over the finish line last term, ending up 14th.<\/p>\n

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However, with a pre-season and three months under his belt to fully embed his ideas and administer his philosophy into the nucleus of his squad, Gracia has since made drastic changes, not only to the mentality but also the playing style of this year’s FA Cup finalists.<\/p>\n

Among the key changes made has been tactical consistency (as well as discipline<\/a>), with Gracia averse to straying from his trailblazing 4-2-2-2 system. A firm believer in the more traditional 4-4-2, Gracia has given this old hat formation a modern twist, pushing his wingers further up the pitch and giving them license to tuck in to midfield.<\/p>\n

His inverted-winger system has given Watford a more domineering\u00a0presence in the final third, but also created a greater sense of strength and presence in the middle of the park.<\/p>\n

The fact that Gracia has stuck with the same system and pretty much the same personnel throughout the campaign means each and every player knows his role to a T, creating an aura of coherence and understanding between his players.<\/p>\n

The defensive system<\/strong><\/h2>\n

A special mention should first be made to Ben Foster who has made the No. 1 berth his own between the sticks, making more recoveries than any goalkeeper in the league (372) and pulling off the third-most saves (127).<\/p>\n

As for the defensive system: for Gracia’s inverted-wingers to thrive,\u00a0forward-thinking full-backs are imperative in order to\u00a0create overloads in the final third and make\u00a0quick transitions between the defensive and attacking phases.<\/p>\n

Jose Holebas at left-back and a mix between\u00a0Kiko Femenia and\u00a0Daryl Janmaat at right-back have excelled. The former has been exceptional this campaign, delivering the second-most crosses of any defender this term (210) – Gracia will be relieved his final-day red card was rescinded by the FA.<\/p>\n

The floated full-backs allow Watford to counter with great pace and venom, an aspect worked on greatly by Gracia according to Abdoulaye Doucoure<\/a>, with his teammates working to be much “more clinical on the counterattack”.<\/p>\n