Spaniard Gracia recently signed a new contract and believes the rewards will come for the squad’s hard work.

“My players are full of confidence and ambition. I can feel it,” the Watford boss said at a press conference.

“I know we have to win again, but we are really close to getting it because performances are good.

“I prefer to keep my confidence in the way we are working because we are (going) in the right way.

“I think in the last games we have made good performances.

“It wasn’t enough to get the results we wanted. We have to keep going, to keep working hard and I think in the next games we will be able to prove this in the results.

“I am not concerned about that. I know playing this way we will be able to do it.

“I look back to try to improve the things we can do, but I prefer to look to the future and be focused on the next game.

“It is a good chance for us, at home against Cardiff, to come away with a win.”

Watford are without several players through injury and suspension for the visit of the Bluebirds.

Andre Gray, Will Hughes, Adalberto Penaranda and Sebastian Prodl are all unavailable, while Etienne Capoue is banned.

Abdoulaye Doucoure has scored in each of his last two appearances, and Gracia hopes the French midfielder can sustain the form as the games come thick and fast.

“He showed last season he is able to do it. He scored in the beginning a lot (last season),” the Watford boss said.

“Now maybe he has two goals in a row. I think he now feels the confidence to do it.

“When the strikers sometimes don’t score, it is important midfielders, as (Roberto) Pereyra has done, help the team to score more goals.

“We need it and it is one thing we spoke about – the need to finish better. It is important different players are helping the team.”

Neil Warnock’s side have picked up form in recent weeks, with three wins from five Premier League games as the promoted club aim to pull clear of the battle for survival.

“We will respect them a lot. They are in a better moment with confidence with their last results,” Gracia said.

“We know we have to be 100 per cent concentrated and give our best because it will be a demanding game.

“We want to get a victory because the players deserve this reward.”

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