Yoga, tackles and timekeeping: how Javi Gracia has transformed Watford

A new tactical approach, a settled starting line-up and fines for lateness have all played a part in the club’s flying start

This week Troy Deeney let slip details of the system of fines introduced by Javi Gracia this season. “They used to be done by the players,” he said. “This year the gaffer took charge and he’s made it so all the fines are very steep and nobody’s messing about. I think everybody likes their money too much.” By way of example he said that latecomers to training are now penalised at the eyebrow-raising rate – even if it still is not the stiffest such penalty in the division – of £100 a minute.

“I think the group needs discipline,” says Gracia, who has alsoramped up fines for a variety ofoffences including missing physiotherapy appointments and not turning up for yoga. “For me it’s most important to convince the players we don’t need the rules. If we have good behaviour, if all of you are thinking in the same way, we don’t need the rules. Then it’s perfect. But you need to show them the way and they have to respect that. If one of them makes a mistake then they pay, but the objective is not to take away money. The objective is they respect the rules.”

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from The Guardian https://ift.tt/2p6Qcas

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