Watford ‘totally different’ this season under Javi Gracia, says Jose Holebas

Javi Gracia replaced Marco Silva halfway through last season but the big improvement in Watford’s form has only come at the start of this season

Watford left-back Jose Holebas believes that his team’s approach this year is “totally different” from last season, which is why they have started with four straight Premier League wins so far.

Watford have surprised many with their strong start to the season, culminating in Sunday’s 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur at Vicarage Road. Both goals were set up by Holebas’s left-footed set-piece delivery and he said that the improvement was because of how the players’ application has changed behind the scenes.

Javi Gracia replaced Marco Silva halfway through last season but the big improvement in Watford’s form has only come at the start of this season. Holebas said that the Watford first team – which has not changed in any of the four games this season – now understood the demands of Premier League football, and what Gracia expected from them.

“It’s totally different, I have to say,” Holebas said afterwards. “Totally different. When I see the boys on the pitch and in training now, it’s totally different. I think some of them now understand what it’s about to be in the Premier League.”

Watford’s first team only includes one summer signing, Ben Foster in goal, but Holebas said that the players are working better as a unit than they ever did before. “Obviously the first year was difficult as a promoted team, and the second year again,” he said. “It’s a time now when we are creating a team, that is what the club is doing here. Trying to create a team, and step by step it’s coming.”

Even though Watford are performing well, Holebas said that he could not let up in his intensity and must continue to be animated and vocal with his team-mates on the pitch. “That is always me, I am always angry,” he explained. “Anyone who knows me, I am always angry. Even if we win. Because I know how quickly you make one mistake and give a win away.”