Tuesday 22 December 2015 09:49, UK
Watford defender Nathan Ake has urged his team-mates to remain focused ahead of Christmas fixtures against Chelsea and Tottenham.
Sunday's 3-0 win over Liverpool - in which Ake scored his first goal for the club - was their fourth straight in the league and lifted the Hornets to seventh in the table, just one point behind fourth-placed Spurs.
They travel to Chelsea on Boxing Day before hosting Tottenham two days later and Ake insists Quique Sanchez Flores' side must not change anything that has seen them to their lofty league position.
"This season has been crazy. Our position is deserved because we're playing well, we've worked really hard to be here and we just have to keep going," he said.
"We've got a lot of confidence now but we can't get too much confidence and play easy, like we're a bigger team."
Ake, who is on a season-long loan from Chelsea, will not play against his parent club on Boxing Day, but does not expect a recall from Guus Hiddink in January.
"I don't think that because the manager changes, suddenly I have a chance to play. I think it's just a matter of yourself, how you're playing, how you develop, and if you're able to come back next season and perform," Ake said.
"I just try to play my game and develop myself, I think that's the most important thing. I'm playing well now but you need to do the whole season, not just a couple of games. I need to develop and then we'll see next year.
"Of course, I'm happy here because I play every time, and I think that's going to be the case if I stay here. I think I'll still be here in February.
"I think Chelsea are still Chelsea, they're a top team. We're still on the bottom, and need to play like that as well."
