Javi Gracia said he thinks the linesman confused referee Craig Pawson by getting involved in Troy Deeney's sending off against Arsenal.

The Hornets' head coach has disputed the decision and the club even appealed it, but on Thursday learned that appeal had failed.

However, Gracia thinks there was a level of confusion between the officials.

"He confused the referee with his conversation. From my angle it wasn’t an aggression, I told him, 'I think you confused the referee with your conversation', only that.

"The referees always take the decision they think is the right decision. I try to support them, I know to be a referee is not easy.

"These things happen and I have nothing to say about that, It’s not a red card, it's not a play when he has to change his behaviour.

"He was competing honestly and tried to recover the ball, it's true there was contact but nothing else."

Gracia brushed off suggestions that Deeney's reputation contributed to the red card and instead stated that he does not want to think in that way about referees.

He said: "I don’t think they are thinking about this player or this other player. If I will think this way, I would be crazy.

"I trust all the referees and I think their decision is fair in that moment."

With Deeney suspended from the next three matches, Gracia said he wants to see his skipper working harder than ever before to make sure he is ready to return once he is eligible to do so.

He said: "Now it's the right moment to work more and to prepare as better as possible for when he will come back.

"I’m sure he will be waiting for that moment to try to help the team. For this period, I’m sure he will work more than ever."