Javi Gracia refuses to look too far ahead as Watford ease into FA Cup fifth round

By PA Sport

Image: Javi Gracia refuses to look too far ahead despite a promising second half of the season at Watford

Javi Gracia is refusing to allow himself to be distracted by the FA Cup, despite guiding Watford into the fifth round.

For the second successive round in this year's competition Gracia made 11 changes, but he still saw the Hornets ease their way to a 2-0 victory over Newcastle at St James' Park and a place in the last 16.

With the club sitting in seventh place in the Premier League, it could be argued Watford have the opportunity to throw everything they have at the cup, but the head coach is keeping his feet firmly on the ground.

Image: Andre Gray celebrates after scoring Watford's first goal

Gracia said: "At this moment, we are in a good position in the league and are going forward in the FA Cup, but we are in January still and there are a lot of games left in both competitions.

"Now is the moment when we have to show our level, now is the moment where we have to be demanding and try to show our ambition."

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Gracia's understudies performed their roles to perfection as a much-changed Newcastle team misfired horribly and they got their reward when Andre Gray fired them ahead with 62 minutes gone before Isaac Success wrapped up victory at the death.

Image: Isaac Success wrapped up the win for the visitors

He said: "I'm very pleased for all of them, because sometimes it's not easy for me to explain how important all my players are.

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"When I say I believe in all my squad, it's because I believe in all my squad and then, in games like today, it's important to show all of them are working really well."

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