Javi Gracia praises Troy Deeney for helping Watford see off Woking in FA Cup
"In that moment when we need to kill the game it was the right moment to put him on."
Sunday 6 January 2019 18:50, UK
Javi Gracia praised Troy Deeney for ruining Woking's hopes of further progress in the FA Cup after introducing the Watford captain with 19 minutes remaining.
National League South outfit Woking did not disgrace themselves as they lost 2-0 at home to Watford - who are 110 places above them in the football pyramid - in their third-round tie.
Watford, showing 11 changes from their 3-3 Premier League draw at Bournemouth, laboured into round four as Will Hughes struck early on before captain Deeney came off the bench to secure the win with a late tap-in.
Gracia praised substitutes Deeney and Ken Sema for securing the victory for the Premier League side.
He said: "I think Troy is always ready and in that moment when we need to kill the game it was the right moment to put him on and I was sure he was going to score.
Trending
- Usyk denies Fury in intense world championship rematch
- Highlights: Usyk overcomes Fury in epic heavyweight rematch
- Papers: Arsenal, Man City and Bayern in three-way battle for Olmo
- Fury rages: I was robbed... Usyk got a Christmas gift!
- 'He got a Christmas gift!' | Fury left fuming in post-fight press conference
- Big fight reaction: What next for Fury and Usyk after contentious call?
- 'Uncle Frank is blind!' | Usyk responds to Fury complaints
- Arteta 'really worried' after hamstring injury leaves Saka on crutches
- Fury's FURIOUS backstage reaction after defeat | 'I won by at least three rounds!'
- Fury in disbelief as Usyk retains heavyweight titles
"In that moment I was not looking for only his experience, I was trying to kill the game by scoring another goal and with Sema playing on the left and Troy as a striker we had more options to kill the game."
Gracia's first game as Watford boss came with a fourth-round defeat to Southampton last season, but this was the Spaniard's first experience of an FA Cup tie in modest surroundings.
"It is true that it is a little bit different but I am happy to have the chance to live this today because it was different, but an amazing experience for me and for the team," he added.
"I think, most importantly, it was a very good performance and we knew before the game it would be very demanding but I think we killed the game in the second half, but until that moment you have to know that they can score one goal from a corner or free-kick.
"I am happy with the attitude of all my players.
"To be honest I didn't have any doubt about that before the game because I know my players and they always, in the games and the training sessions, show me their commitment and behaviour so I didn't have any doubts."
