Javi Gracia conceded Real Sociedad were the better team after watching Watford come from behind to beat their Spanish opponents to win 2-1 on Graham Taylor Matchday but believes the biggest positive is his Hornets came improve in many aspects.

Trailing to a Mikel Oyarzabal penalty at half-time after a disjointed and sluggish performance in the opening 45 minutes, the hosts improved after the break and were rewarded with two Andre Gray goals.

Gracia admitted: “I think in this game Real Sociedad played better than us. In the first half they played much better. In the second maybe we found the way to control better the spaces, to compete better than the first but it’s always important to compete against teams with a high level and I think it’s important to get good results for the confidence of our players.

“In this moment if you ask me about the game, the best thing is we have the possibility to improve many things and I’m sure we will.”

Asked if he was concerned by the fact Sociedad were sharper in the first half, the Watford head coach responded: “In this moment we have some players out with little problems, but I think all of them will be ready for the next game.

“The players are working well all the pre-season and Real Sociedad had only 17 training sessions before this game and maybe didn’t have double sessions and maybe now they are a little bit more fresh than us.

“But it’s not only important to be fresh for the first game, we have a long season to play and we are in the right way. The process is important, the attitude of the players and in this case we are in the right way.”