Downbeat Gracia wants Watford owner talks

Watford head coach Javi Gracia wants a meeting with club owner Gino Pozzo after another setback to their hopes of a Championship play-off place.

The Hornets lost 2-0 at home to Swansea City on Saturday and have not won in four games, leaving them 10th and four points below the top six.

"We are in a very difficult moment," Gracia told BBC Three Counties Radio.

"I knew before the game it could happen. Some players are injured, some players are gone, some players are coming, some players are playing with discomfort. The last results speak about the team now."

Gracia returned to the club for a second spell in charge in October, following the short reign of Paulo Pezzolano, having previously managed Watford in 2018-19 when he led them to 11th place in the Premier League and an FA Cup final.

"I want to speak with the owner and to know how they feel because I'm really disappointed with the level of the team, the situation of the team and maybe the future of the team as well," he said.

Watford's only signings of the transfer window so far are former Roma midfielder Edoardo Bove, who is not yet match fit, and Manchester City teenager Stephen Mfuni.

"The energy, the atmosphere in the team now, we are not so optimistic as we were," Gracia added.