Boss ‘sure’ Watford will play well against Wolves

© Nigel French/PA Wire

Watford boss Javi Gracia knows Wolves will be dangerous no matter what side they field, but expects his players to produce the required response at Molineux.

The Hornets resume domestic action looking to recover from a 4-0 home defeat by Bournemouth before the international break which extended their winless Premier League run to four matches.

Wolves, meanwhile, have made an impressive return to the top flight, currently unbeaten through six games.

Nuno Espirito Santo sent out the same starting XI for the eighth successive Premier League match when Wolves secured a 1-0 victory at Crystal Palace.

Gracia, though, knows whatever team the Portuguese coach selects, his own players have to meet the challenges head on.

“I prefer to analyse collectively, you know you have to pay attention to some players,” the Watford manager said at a press conference.

“Wolves keep the same line-up, but maybe (forward) Adama Traore comes on and he is dangerous.

“I know him very well because he came from Spain. I know he’s a dangerous player. He can change the game when he’s playing.”

The Watford boss added: “We know it’ll be a tough game, but in this moment for us it’s not important who we are going to play against. It’s more important to focus on ourselves and to try and do our best.”

Despite Watford’s recent dip in form, Gracia has settled well since arriving in January and would like to extend his current 18-month contract.

The positive mindset of the Spaniard is making an impression on the squad, whom he believes can soon get themselves back on track, having opened the new campaign with four straight Premier League wins.

“Sometimes there is a light line, some details in if you win or you lose,” said Gracia, who must do without suspended defensive duo Christian Kabasele and Jose Holebas.

“I feel all of my players have confidence and in that moment that is what is important to me, with good or bad results.”

The Watford boss added: “We got a very bad result (against Bournemouth), but we know it is only a game and we need to show all our desire, all our ambition in the next game.

“I am sure we are going to play a good game against Wolves.”