Following today’s clash between Southampton and Watford, here are the instant reactions from both managers.
Southampton hosted Watford at St Mary’s Stadium on Saturday January 27 for the FA Cup fourth round tie, with the hosts taking a one nil victory following an early Jack Stephens goal.
Southampton scored in the first minute of the game as new Watford head coach Javi Gracia got a rude welcome to life in England.
Teams:
Southampton:
McCarthy, Soares, Stephens, Hoedt, Bertrand (Pied 40), Romeu, Davis, Hojbjerg, Boufal (Yoshida 67), Tadic (Carrillo 83), Long.
Substitutes:
Ward-Prowse, Lemina, Gabbiadini, Forster.
Watford:
Karnezis, Janmaat (Sinclair 74), Mariappa, Kabasele, Holebas, Watson, Capoue (Okaka 47), Richarlison, Carrillo (Pereyra 57), Doucoure, Gray.
Substitutes:
Prodl, Success, Zeegelaar, Bachmann.
Speaking to the BBC’s cameras a short time after match day referee Robert Madley blew the final whistle, Southampton manager Mauricio Pellergino explained.
‘We are growing and improving as a team. We were working a lot to try and improve with the ball a little bit more. Every single game is an opportunity to believe that we can recover our level, our real level, and I think that today in some moments we showed that we are a little bit closer. The feeling in the dressing room is that we are in a good way. We are working hard and the mentality of the players is much better now. We have to be humble because in football everything can change suddenly but we have confidence and believe it’s the right way.’
Watford head coach Javi Gracia in his comparative interview explained.
‘I do not understand what supporters sing. I only can say at the end of the match the players went to say thank you, and me too. I am very grateful and I feel sorry for them. Our players are in a difficult moment and need to work a lot but they need more confidence also. The only way to get that confidence is working, working and working. If we get a good result in our next match it’s possible they feel better.’
