Watford: Javia Gracia should begin Max Alleyne: The72

Watford have an distinctive younger expertise in Max Alleyne for the season and Javi Gracia should utilise him to keep away from one other potential dismissal at Vicarage Street.

Watford have had a busy begin to the 2025/26 Championship season after 10 video games. The Hornets sacked Paulo Pezzolano after 5 months in cost and changed him with Javia Gracia who has returned for his second stint.

It was defeat for the 55-year-old in his first sport again in cost since 2019 as his aspect have been overwhelmed 1-0 by Sheffield United at Bramall Lane final weekend. The loss sees the Hertfordshire aspect sit fifteenth within the desk with 12 factors.

11 new signings arrived at Vicarage Street this summer time beneath Pezzolano and will probably be a tense few weeks for the arrivals to impress their new head coach. One participant that joined within the final window that Gracia ought to put in his beginning XI this season is Max Alleyne.

Alleyne signed on mortgage for the season from Manchester Metropolis and has a variety of potential to turn out to be a future star. The defender was on the bench in Gracia’s first sport which left some confusion amongst followers because of the teen’s optimistic begin for the Hornets this time period.

The 20-year-old is in his first senior mortgage spell and has featured in eight out of 10 Championship video games this marketing campaign. Thus far, the England U21 worldwide has proven glimpses of being a standout within the second tier this yr.

Javi Gracia should play Max Alleyne

The Hornets will ideally wish to keep away from one other sacking this marketing campaign and Gracia should ship rapidly if he’s to evade the identical destiny as Pezzolano. Placing Alleyne within the beginning XI every week is step one in direction of a profitable second reign at Vicarage Street.

Max Alleyne stats for Watford – through Transfermarkt

The younger defender’s time within the Manchester Metropolis academy is clear in his play at Watford this season. The 20-year-old consists on the ball, and enjoying within the Championship hasn’t phased him within the slightest.

In keeping with FotMob, the centre-back has gained 76% of his duels and is averaging three tackles gained per 90. If the teen continues on the identical trajectory, the Hertfordshire aspect may have a powerful time period and Alleyne might be in and across the Manchester Metropolis first workforce subsequent yr.

Play-offs nonetheless a chance for Watford?

Watford had simply began to hit some from earlier than the dismissal of Pezzolano and it might be a call that comes again to hang-out them relying on how Gracia fares this time period.

The Championship is large open this season and the Hornets are solely 5 factors off the highest six regardless of an total shaky begin to the marketing campaign.

If the brand new man on the helm can determine his greatest XI, Watford may sneak into the play-off locations. With abilities like Nestory Irankunda, Imran Louza, Giorgi Chakvetadze and Alleyne within the aspect something is feasible.