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Watford manager Javi Gracia focused on next game after FA Cup win

Watford manager Javi Gracia
Image: Watford manager Javi Gracia is not looking to far into the future

Watford manager Javi Gracia is only focusing on the next game as Watford made it to the FA Cup quarter-finals with a 1-0 win against QPR.

Etienne Capoue's strike on the stroke of half-time was enough to send the Hornets into the next round, with the draw taking place on Monday evening after Chelsea's game against Manchester United.

But despite the continued cup run, Gracia is only focusing on the next game in hand, which comes against Cardiff in the Premier League next Friday.

"To speak about what we can do in the future maybe is a little lack of respect for the teams we are going to play against," he said.

"Today, we felt that playing against QPR, we've suffered a lot and the game we play in the future will be very demanding, I'm sure of that, playing against a Premier League team or a Championship team as well.

"The thing we have to do is to keep working the way we are doing and to be focused on the next game.

"In this case, we are going to play next Friday against Cardiff and we now focus on the Premier League. When we have to play in the FA Cup, we will prepare for that game as best as possible."

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Watford
Image: Watford were 1-0 winners at Loftus Road on Friday evening

Despite Watford's win, QPR had most of the attacking play although could not convert their chances, and Gracia admitted that it was not his side's best showing.

He added: "It was a very close game. QPR had their chances to score - the most clear at the end of the game - and we scored one goal at the end of the first half and it was enough to win the game.

"Maybe it wasn't our best game today but we knew before it would be very demanding and we needed to defend well, the second balls, defend well the set pieces because this team's [QPR] results in the Championship weren't very good, but always competing very well, always scoring a lot of goals."

As for QPR, their form is the Sky Bet Championship's worst, but, after an undeserved loss to Premier League opposition, manager Steve McClaren has renewed confidence in their ability to end their damaging run.

"It makes me hopeful," he said. "We're that close to turning it around, we've been very, very unlucky. We've got to keep that attitude and spirit.

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Image: The Hornets will be in the quarter-final draw for the FA Cup on Monday

"I'm so proud of the players' performances. It was their third game in six days. We couldn't have done anymore, apart from score.

"We lost the game by a set-play and Watford showed great resilience to get through, because we threw everything at them.

"Toni Leistner's chance at the end (in the 88th minute) summed us up. We were very close, but not close enough. I'm very disappointed with the goal. It's the only shot on goal I can remember and the only time I felt in trouble.

"We really started aggressively, but you have to score first in these games. Once you get a team like Watford holding the lead they're difficult to break down."

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