Pardew granted another life as Albion fail again

want to be. If you look at the table, it would look daunting. I think from mine and the players’ point of view, we are best focusing on trying to get a win and going from there.

“I am just frustrated we have not got the results I think perhaps we deserved. These last three or four games have been disappointing, but we were much better against Watford and that’s what we have to take forward, the positivity from the team and the commitment they showed to me. I thank them for that, and I actually feel for them more than myself.”

Deeney’s strike, which provided Watford with a second successive victory, has taken the club to ninth place with nine games remaining.

It would take a dramatic loss of form for Javi Gracia’s side to be dragged back into the relegation battle, even if the forthcoming fixtures against Arsenal and Liverpool are likely to be more challenging.

Gracia praised the influence of Deeney, who has scored three goals in his past four games. “He is an important reference for me and for all team-mates,” Gracia said. “He is in a good moment now. But I know he is not only important for these goals. He is important for many things inside and outside the pitch.”

One concern for Gracia is the form of Richarlison, the Brazilian striker who began the season so brightly but has not scored since November. Richarlison appeared to react angrily to being substituted, but Gracia insisted he was not concerned by the 20-year-old’s attitude.

“I don’t think about the reactions of the players,” Gracia said. “I have to take these kinds of decisions and I do it. I only think about concentrating on the training sessions to improve the level of the players.”