Watford boss Javi Gracia is ready to tackle Wednesday night’s Carabao Cup clash against Tottenham at Stadium MK like it was the Wembley final.
With the national stadium not able to convert back to hosting a football match so quickly after Saturday’s sell-out Anthony Joshua world heavyweight title fight, the third-round tie will instead be held at the League Two venue.
Spurs – who have seen the completion of their new ground delayed – switched the game some 50 miles up the M1 rather than elect to reverse the fixture.
Watford would have preferred the cup tie to be held Vicarage Road, but Gracia will send his men out determined to make the most of the occasion.
“For me, the final is tomorrow. If you don’t win, you don’t have more chances,” the Spaniard said at a press conference.
“This is the best mentality. We will see for the future, but this next game we will play as a final.
“I don’t give more importance if we are playing in the Premier League, Carabao Cup or FA Cup – it is the same for the players as well.”
Watford are expected to have a healthy travelling support of around 4,000 in Milton Keynes.
Gracia, though, rejected any suggestions that would be an advantage on the pitch.
“A home game is when we play at Vicarage Road. Wherever we play we have support, but in this case it is away,” the Hornets boss said.
“That decision doesn’t depend on us – we play where they (EFL) decide.
“It’s a good stadium. We are going to do our best.”
Gracia is again expected to utilise his squad for the cup tie, having made sweeping changes for the 2-0 win at Reading in the last round.
Fit-again midfielder Nathaniel Chalobah is likely to feature, but captain Troy Deeney, who played against Fulham with three broken toes, will be rested.
“It is a good chance for the team and not only some (fringe) players,” Gracia said.
“In the last game in the Carabao Cup we changed many players, maybe tomorrow we will do the same.
“I don’t like to say we will choose players who didn’t play in the Premier League, because we try to choose the best options for us.”
Watford have already beaten Spurs once this season, with a 2-1 home Premier League win before the international break.
Gracia, however, is not about to underestimate the challenge.
“I’m sure this game will be very different than the other, but we are confident we are going to compete again as we did in the Premier League game,” said Gracia, whose side are fourth in the table, one point ahead of Spurs.
“We know it’s against a very good club, a very good team.
“It will be a very tough game, but we know if we keep the same levels as the last games we are able to compete with any team.”
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