Providing impetus to a tight battle, Slaven Bilić felt his substitutes made the difference as Watford completed back-to-back wins for the first time this season with a 1-0 victory over Wigan Athletic.
The game was back and forth for 80 minutes, but the Hornets’ pressure paid off when Yáser Asprilla’s cross met the head of João Pedro in the late stages to secure all three points at the DW Stadium, and Bilić was quick to praise the duo and Asprilla’s fellow substitute Samuel Kalu in the aftermath of the game.
Believing the end result to be a fair one, the Head Coach delved into his team’s defensive solidity as well post-match.
“It was a great three points, just deserved,” said Bilić. “We were good, solid, we were limiting them to only set plays and long balls. The problem is when the game lasts 90 minutes you don’t have two of them, you have at least 15, but we defended them really well and the clean sheet is not a coincidence, it’s well deserved. It’s the second in a row which is a confidence boost for the whole team.
“We had a lot of space but our quality in and around the box was not good enough today, some decision-making also. We created a great chance with Sarr after a great connection from left to right, and we wanted to win, that’s why we made changes and I told the guys that it’s all about the squad because the substitutes won the game, they raised our level and raised our quality in the final third, and it was a great three points for us.”
Goalscorer João Pedro operated in the attacking midfield role for the majority of the game, before moving up front upon Asprilla’s introduction from the bench. Bilić hailed the versatile forward for both his creativity and work-rate.
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“He’s got a lot of everything,” the Croatian continued. “He’s Brazilian so he’s got that flair, he’s sharp, quick and strong. He can use his body and can play in various positions. That’s a centre-forward’s goal and we put him there for the last 20 minutes because he’s very versatile.”
Kalu and Asprilla were also highlighted, with the former doing well to create a chance for Ismaïla Sarr in the second half and Asprilla playing the vital cross for the winning goal. Both have unique qualities and a lot to offer the team, the 54-year-old explained.
“Yáser is one of those rare talents,” smiled Bilić. “He’s 18, a kid, living by himself and living on a completely different continent. He doesn’t speak a word of English so it’s not easy and he’s young, but the club are going to help him. He’s willing to learn and that’s the main thing, and when he came on he was very active and defended well.
“[When Kalu came on] I told him not to cross the ball. Wigan give space on the flanks but they defend in the box with numbers and size and are good at that, they are physical and good in the air, so I told him to go inside the box, and that’s what he did. He’s a player that still isn’t completely fit, but he’s got something special. A change of pace, good movement and first touch and a very good strike. He is a very useful player and we expect a lot from him.”
Another long trip awaits the Golden Boys in midweek when they travel to Cardiff City (Wednesday November 2, 7.45pm KO). Building momentum is something Bilić is focused on, and he feels he can utilise the large squad at his disposal as proven against the Latics.
Added Bilić: “There’s no bad time to win, but especially now when the games are piling up, it’s going to be more pleasant, we have another in four days and a four or five hour journey home.
“We’ll be less tired and tomorrow the training ground will be an extremely happy place. We showed character and that we have a squad despite the fact we had Cathcart and Davis out, and already had three important players who are out long-term, and we could still get players from the bench who could make a difference, so it’s not a cliché when I say it’s all about the squad.”
