{"id":1422161,"date":"2026-01-04T17:02:29","date_gmt":"2026-01-04T17:02:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?post_type=features&#038;p=1422161"},"modified":"2026-01-04T17:02:29","modified_gmt":"2026-01-04T17:02:29","slug":"tactical-analyisis-watford-javi-gracia-promotion-push-2025","status":"publish","type":"features","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analyisis-watford-javi-gracia-promotion-push-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Watford tactical analysis: How Javi Gracia&#8217;s return has powered recent promotion push"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Watford are in the longest active unbeaten run in the Championship and find themselves very much in the mix for the playoffs.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Hornets started the current matchweek in 4th place in the Championship table. It&#8217;s a remarkable turnaround considering where they were when Javi Gracia took over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Former manager Paulo Pezzolano, reportedly, wasn&#8217;t a beloved character in the dressing room. There were also rumours of issues with the board. So much so that they sacked him following a win and a three-game unbeaten run.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And yet, despite all the managerial changes that have happened at Vicarage Road over the last 10-15 years, it feels like they got it right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-yoast-seo-table-of-contents yoast-table-of-contents\"><h2>How has Javi Gracia turned Watford around?<\/h2><ul><li><a href=\"#h-structural-changes\" data-level=\"3\">Structural changes<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-resilience\" data-level=\"3\">Resilience<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-imran-louza-s-team\" data-level=\"3\">Imran Louza&#8217;s team<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-structural-changes\">Structural changes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Pezzolano had worked mainly with a back-three during his tenure. Javi Gracia&#8217;s first order of business was to change it to a back-four. And he has stuck with it, apart from the Bristol City game in early November.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Watford now play mainly in a 4-2-3-1 with the centre-attacking-midfielder &#8211; usually Giorgi Chakvetadze &#8211; drifting into one of the wings to overload.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Gracia also turned the Hornets into a more patient team in build-up. They actually average slightly less possession under him (50.9% as opposed to 51.4% under Pezzolano), but attempt a lot more passes (441 per game vs 388 with his predecessor).<\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"article-page__title\">Dabble sign-up offer: <b data-stringify-type=\"bold\">Bet \u00a310+ &amp; Receive \u00a310 In Free Bets<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p><strong>Not signed up to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/betting-sites\/dabble-sign-up-offer\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Dabble<\/a> yet? Here's how to claim the <b data-stringify-type=\"bold\">Bet \u00a310+ &amp; Receive \u00a310 In Free Bets<\/b> welcome offer:<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<ol>\r\n<li>Sign up to Dabble through this <a href=\"\/en\/go\/dabble?q=gb-all-con-wof-s-spo\">link<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li>Register your account with accurate personal details<\/li>\r\n<li>Place your first bet of \u00a310 or more<\/li>\r\n<li>Receive your \u00a310 in free bets when your qualifying bet has setted<\/li>\r\n<li>Use your Free Bet on any eligible sportsbook market within 7 days<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<p><a href=\"\/en\/go\/dabble?q=gb-all-con-wof-s-spo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1423518 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/12083841\/Screenshot-2026-01-12-083822-300x250.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"250\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/12083841\/Screenshot-2026-01-12-083822-300x250.png 300w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/12083841\/Screenshot-2026-01-12-083822-320x267.png 320w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/12083841\/Screenshot-2026-01-12-083822-240x200.png 240w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/12083841\/Screenshot-2026-01-12-083822-72x60.png 72w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/12083841\/Screenshot-2026-01-12-083822-150x125.png 150w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/12083841\/Screenshot-2026-01-12-083822-40x33.png 40w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/12083841\/Screenshot-2026-01-12-083822.png 712w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\r\n<p>#AD 18+ 7-day free bet expiry. Stake not returned. Promotional Terms Apply.\u00a0<a class=\"c-link\" href=\"http:\/\/gambleaware.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-stringify-link=\"http:\/\/GambleAware.org\" data-sk=\"tooltip_parent\">GambleAware.org<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Uruguayan is high on intense, modern football based on pressure and verticality. The Spaniard, however, has dialed down on the high press and direct style. Their approach after losing possession is more orientated to regrouping as opposed to counter-pressing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This has actually helped defensively, as they use their time on the ball as a way to hold opponents off. Watford are averaging fewer shots faced (11.1 vs 12.4) and expected goals (1.0 vs 1.1) per game as a result, while also increasing their big chances tally (2.4 vs 2.0).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The frenetic nature of Pezzolano&#8217;s philosophies left them often exposed, and Gracia&#8217;s approach has helped shut things down for the opponents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-resilience\">Resilience<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>It&#8217;s hard to talk about this Watford side without mentioning resilience and mentality. The Hornets have won 23 points from losing positions in the Championship this season &#8211; ten more than second-placed Coventry City.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For perspective, it&#8217;s nearly the same difference as the one from Coventry (13) to the last placed sides in this regard (Sheffield Wednesday and Norwich City with two apiece).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>15 of those 23 points gained from losing positions came under Javi Gracia. While it&#8217;s sort of a &#8216;red flag&#8217; to go behind so often, it doesn&#8217;t seem to be a problem for his men.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>During their current unbeaten run of seven games, six of the results involved late goals and\/or coming from behind to win points. The exception was the last one, an easy, end-to-end 3-0 win over Birmingham City featuring a Tom Ince hat-trick.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It&#8217;s even more impressive when you factor in how young of a squad Watford have. There are a few experienced players such as Moussa Sissoko, Nampalys Mendy and Tom Ince, but they own the youngest age average in their starting lineups in the Championship this season (24y 269d).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-imran-louza-s-team\">Imran Louza&#8217;s team<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Imran Louza has been, far and away, Watford&#8217;s best player this season. The 26-year-old started the campaign in fine form under Paulo Pezzolano, picking up five goal involvements in his first six games across all competitions (2G 3A).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But as soon as Javi Gracia took over, he went on a six-game run with a least a goal or an assist (4G 2A). He has since been in somewhat of a drought goals and assists wise, but his impact on the game has grown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Moroccan midfielder averages 88 touches per 90 minutes with the Spaniard, as opposed to 82 with the Uruguayan. He already &#8216;owned&#8217; the team in terms of dictating rhtyhm, orchestrating actions and taking his side forward, but has done so even more often with Gracia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And while Watford collectively have been more patient in possession, he is the one with license to be more adventurous with his passing. He has completed 87% of his attempts under the new manager, as opposed to 90% previously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Louza is also attempting more long balls now (6.9 per90) than before (5.4 per90). And, in fairness to Javi Gracia, if there is one player in the squad that should be allowed to do that, it&#8217;s him. It&#8217;s also what allows the team to maintain pace and rhythm whilst being more patient overall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The postponement at Hull City left them with a game in hand relative to the competition &#8211; against a fellow playoff rival. Despite Millwall&#8217;s win over Swansea City, the Hornets will maintain a top-6 spot to end the matchweek &#8211; win, draw or lose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Considering that they were in 11th and looking set for another midtable campaign when Pezzolano left, the current scenario is much better than anyone would have expected when Gracia returned.<\/p>\n\n\n<h3><strong>Read more:<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/news\/\"><strong>Latest football news<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/football-tips\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Football betting tips<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/betting-sites\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Best betting sites<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/betting-sites\/best-free-bet-offers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Best free bet offers<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/football-tips\/accumulator\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Football accumulator tips<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Watford are in the longest active unbeaten run in the Championship and find themselves very much in the mix for the playoffs. The Hornets started the current matchweek in 4th place in the Championship table. It&#8217;s a remarkable turnaround considering where they were when Javi Gracia took over. Former manager Paulo Pezzolano, reportedly, wasn&#8217;t a&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3354,"featured_media":1422162,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_yoast_wpseo_focuskw":"","_yoast_wpseo_title":"","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Watford are in the longest active unbeaten run in the Championship and find themselves very much in the mix for the playoffs.","footnotes":""},"tags":[],"features-category":[],"squawka-category":[],"class_list":["post-1422161","features","type-features","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":{"external_featured_image_url":"","hide_featured_image_pattern":false},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.1 (Yoast SEO v27.1.1) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Watford tactical analysis: How Javi Gracia&#039;s return has powered recent promotion push | Squawka | EN<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Watford are in the longest active unbeaten 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