Javi Gracia not fearing for Watford future despite poor run of form

Current Watford boss Gracia insisted his side will not be motivated to get one over their old manager on Monday, and also claimed he remains unfazed by the Hornets' lean spell.

"In my opinion we are playing well; I like to be demanding of my players because in this way we will improve, we'll have more options to improve our results as well," said Gracia.

"But in this moment I'm not worried about if in the last games we weren't able to get some points, because I think we are in the right way, improving something; we are close to improving the results.

"I think the players have confidence in the way we are playing, the way we are working in all the different games.

"But they also know we need to improve something to have better results, to finish better.

"We have created many chances in all the games. Maybe the last game was different, but in all the games we have played we were close to getting points or wins."

Gracia signed a new four-and-a-half-year contract with Watford at the end of last month, despite the club's continued miserable run of form.

When Silva's similar dismal spell that precipitated his sacking was compared with his own lean run, Gracia insisted he has no concerns about Watford's current situation.

"I don't know him personally, I know now he's doing a good job at Everton," said Gracia, of Silva.

"I respect him but now I'm focused on my team, thinking of the next game. And that's all."

Watford started the season with four blistering wins on the spin, but since then only victories at Wolves and over Huddersfield have punctuated a decline in results.

Gracia said the thirst for a return to winning ways would trump any desire within the club to prove a point to their former manager Silva.

"I'm looking forward to the game, but the same way I did when we played Manchester City, Liverpool or Leicester, it's the same," said Gracia.

"We need the three points and we are going to play with this mentality against Everton, and against Cardiff next week, again."

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