Gracia keeps high-flying Hornets grounded ahead of Toon clash

NEWCASTLE United will face a Watford team in their best top flightform since 1982 this weekend,

The high-flying Hertfordshire outfit are sitting in seventh spot in the Premier League and their 19-point tally sees them in better shape than the Graham Taylor side that pushed the great Liverpool for the title 35 years ago.

It means that Watford boss Javi Gracia has spent the week trying to manage expectations as his fanbase make comparisons to the side that contained greats such as Luther Blissett and John Barnes.

Gracia said: “I prefer to enjoy every game.

“I am very demanding and the best way to achieve a good future is to focus on the present and do our best.

“It’s our mentality to be demanding.

“I don’t send much time looking at the table or if we achieve a new record.

“We have many things to improve. “This way the owner, the supporters and the players will be happy and proud of us.”

Watford could actually climb into the top six if they win on Tyneside on Saturday.

Gracia added: “I don’t spend much time looking at the table. “That is not good for us.

“It is better to be focused on the next game and try to do our best.

“I don’t think we will be the champion.

“We are going to enjoy every game and make the supporters proud of us.

“We’ll see what we are able to do.

“In all the games, I am sure we are going to make a big effort to get the best results.”