Watford need time to transform talent into success

Watford are really close to being a decent Championship team. But the nagging feeling remains this young group under progressive head coach Javi Gracia probably need another 12-18 months together before we see the best of them.

The problem with that is some of the talent may not still be at the club and the other problem is nor may the head coach.

That's not to say Gracia's done much wrong since taking over in October - far from it. The performances have improved under the Spaniard. It's just what history tells us about the Hornets.

Imran Louza has been the pick of the bunch. He's matured since his early days when his out-of-possession work let down his overall game. This season he's been excellent, dictating play and scoring crucial goals.

Already we've seen further potential in Nestory Irankunda, Kwadwo Baah, Mamadou Doumbia and plenty of others. There is undoubted talent and Giorgi Chakvetadze should be back soon and he is the best of the lot.

But glimpses and flashes of ability are not quite enough at this level. And as can be the case with young teams they are making mistakes.

It tends to be in decision-making and turning over too often.

Sometimes this Watford team require a bit more patience and recognise they do not always need to beat their man. A simpler pass can be the better option and you can see Gracia getting frustrated by this in the technical area.

With January not far away, Watford could do with a left-footed centre-back, a dynamic central midfielder and a striker - all with experience.

But the current transfer policy is more about discovering teenage unpolished gems such as Othmane Maamma.

You cannot help feeling Gracia must be a bit frustrated when you compare his Premier League Watford side, which was a team packed with elite players, with this raw group who could eventually end up reaching that level.

Nearly a third of the way through the season it feels like Watford could get involved in the play-off race but might just fall short.

In an ideal world, Gracia would continue to develop this potentially exciting bunch, have a full pre-season and go again next campaign.

If he can and if he can keep the majority of this team you would strongly fancy their chances next time round; Gracia is a top-class coach.

But that's a long-term strategy at a club which has a tendency to think short term.