Javi Gracia demands Watford attacking improvement after Brighton draw

Javi Gracia demanded Watford improve offensively after failing to register a single shot on target at Brighton.

The Hornets earned a 0-0 draw on the south coast due largely down to the form of goalkeeper Ben Foster, but in attack they never threatened to produce anything to worry the hosts' defence.

Gracia had named two forwards in his attacking line but was left frustrated by his whole team's lack of attacking intent.

He told Sky Sports: "You always want to win to get three points, but after the game I think one point is good. Maybe today we have played well only defensively, and offensively we need to improve. We could play better, I think we need to improve for the next game.

"The first half was under control, we didn't suffer a lot. But in the second when the game was open, in that moment we needed Ben to make saves - and he put in a special performance.

"After that, we didn't find a way to create the chances we normally do, and only one shot from Will (Hughes), and one or two chances overall, it wasn't enough to win today."

Roberto Pereyra was ruled out of the game before the match owing to an injury picked up in Watford's defeat at Tottenham in midweek, but when questioned Gracia refused to blame injuries for his side's recent run of one win in seven.

He said: "I don't like to complain about the players I don't have. We have a good squad, all of my players are ready and they always keep a good level. But today, we need to improve offensively, because we didn't play the same way we usually do."

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