Watford is taking their FA Cup loss to the Tranmere Rovers as an important lesson. Watford boss Nigel Pearson is even convinced that the experience they had in the game was valuable to pass up. In fact, he was pleased with the chance to play against the Rovers. He utilised his younger lineup in the game once more, opting to rest his first-team players for their subsequent loss to Aston Villa. Pearson came up with a lot of inexperienced players while he added three senior players in the team’s loss to the Rovers.
Andre Gray was one of those senior players in the lineup. He said that he was proud of the way that the team played as they went strong in forcing extra time.
‘I was really proud of all the young boys, it’s not easy to come in and play against experienced players. A lot of these (Tranmere) players have played at this level and higher for many years so it’s difficult. I’m proud of them and the main thing is they’ve learned a lot from it’, said the 28-year-old. ‘I’ve been here and played on this (type of pitch) week in, week out, and it’s not easy, it really isn’t. Especially for the young lads who probably haven’t really experienced these kinds of pitches too much’.
See the report on Watford’s loss to Tranmere
‘It takes some getting used to and that probably showed in the first half. I think we came out in the second half and put a shift in and got used to it a bit more’, Gray added.
A lot of those young players made their debut in that loss. Watford tied the game in the second half thanks to a goal by a young Kaylen Hinds. He drained the equaliser to help the team stay in the fight – and it eventually forced extra time.
‘He was very positive, and he put himself about. I think he just grew into the game, especially after his goal. I think he was unlucky not to get a second goal. I thought he was fantastic, and he really did change the game. He’s good, he’s strong and powerful’, said Gray. ‘Credit to all of them, they come and train with us and work hard. They’re training with very experienced players and that’s an experience in itself. They’re learning and they’re just going to get better and, if they keep pushing, games like this are always going to help’.
Hinds opened up after the game, and said that he was delighted to have the chance to take one for the team.
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‘It was a great day for me, I’ve been working hard for this moment. When I first joined, I had been out of football for a long time and this is just a proud moment for me’, said the 21-year-old. ‘When I came on the manager just told me to work hard, back Mason (Barrett) up, get forward as much as possible and make runs in behind. The goal was just a case of hit and hope really! There were a lot of bodies in front of me and with a deflection anything can happen, and it went in. It was the best feeling of my life so far’.
Hinds is a regular attacking midfielder for the U-23s this season, but he took the right spot in the midfield in the team’s loss.
‘I’m more of an up and down the pitch player, I like to help going back as well, as much as going forward’, he said. ‘I’ve played in the Bundesliga before, but this is a better experience and better moment for me because I’ve been out of football for a long time and just coming back into it, I’ve missed this environment. There were a few nerves at the start but as I got into the game it just felt normal and felt natural’.
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Hinds said that it was a very valuable experience, and he believes that the loss was nothing compared to the experience he got from the game.
‘We know how each other play and what to expect from each other, so it (playing with other Under-23 players) makes it easier. The senior players were encouraging me, when I got the ball, they told me to be positive. They told me to come inside and work on the shape because I was playing on the wing, so they were helping me through my game. There were a lot of experienced players in their (Tranmere’s) side, so it was a good game for me and a good learning experience’.
Meanwhile, Gray also played in the team’s disappointing loss to Aston Villa. He is looking forward for the team’s focus to return back into the Premier League. The team has fallen back into the relegation thanks to that tough loss.
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‘We need to just keep working hard, it’s all we can do. We’ve been in a dog fight since the start of the season and we’ve been in one in the cup now as well. But we can’t dwell on anything and we need to keep pushing’, said the striker. ‘Even if we won on Tuesday night (against Aston Villa) or won here (at Tranmere), there’s still a lot of work to do. We’ve got a bit of time now until the next game, we’ve just got to keep putting in the work and keep fighting for each other. I think that’s one thing we can say about both games, we fought. We probably lacked a bit of quality here and there but we’re sticking together and we’re pushing together’.
Watford is set to battle Everton in hopes of moving out of the relegation once more. It will be an important battle for the team as they continue their quest of making a strong finish to the second half of the season.
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Words: Paul Daniel Flores
Image: PA