LONDON - Troy Deeney has revealed how manager Javi Gracia has imposed a new disciplinary system at Watford with fines for lateness of up to £100 (R1936,71 at the current exchange rate) per minute.
Gracia, who was appointed in January, tightened his grip at the start of his first full season in charge at Vicarage Road. "This year the gaffer took charge of how much the fines were," Deeney told the BBC.
"He’s made it so all the fines are very steep this year and no one is messing about. I think everyone likes their money too much. The worst one is £100 a minute for being late. You could be on the M25 and you’re sitting there for 35 minutes and it’s clocking up very quickly."
Abdoulaye Doucoure and Jose Holebas are understood to be among the worst offenders. "I’m not always on time," said Doucoure. "I try. A lot of the players have come in late so there’s a lot of money to spend."
Watford are one of three sides in the Premier League with maximum points from the first four games. With a Carabao Cup second-round win at Reading they have won five out of five and face Manchester United at Vicarage Road tomorrow. Gracia has a settled team in a solid 4-4-2 system and there is a good spirit in the camp.
"The manager is obsessed with the details," said Doucoure, who dismissed the idea Watford might emulate Leicester’s shock title win. "Seriously, no, it’s only four games. It’s nothing. We are not the new Leicester. We want to be in the top 10. We made mistakes last year and we want to be stronger this year."
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