It is often said that the opportunity to bounce back as soon as possible is vital in recovering from damaging loses in football.

Such a luxury is something Watford do not enjoy after their 5-0 humbling at the hands of Liverpool on Saturday, with a two-week international break providing plenty of time to stew on the loss.

The Hornets were always likely to struggle against a Reds side which has scored goals for fun this season, but were well off the pace at Anfield in a defeat which extended their away woes.

Javi Gracia’s men have one point in their last nine league away games – five of which coming under Marco Silva in fairness – and are yet to register in five in all competitions with the Spaniard at the helm.

It is an issued Gracia has to address and his team selection in his last two away day games have raised the first genuine questions of his tenure.

The decision to play two up top at the Emirates, while bold, left Watford exposed in midfield as Abdoulaye Doucoure and Etienne Capoue toiled to get near the technically gifted Gunners midfield.

He followed that defeat by playing three centre-backs at Anfield and opting to hand Miguel Britos his first start since November.

It took Mohamed Salah four minutes to make the most of Britos’ lack of sharpness and highlight the error in judgement Gracia made in starting the Uruguayan.

Watford’s away from is the sort which usually leads to relegation and it is only Gracia’s immaculate home record of three wins in three which has taken Watford away from danger.

With this in mind, the Hornets’ next two assignments could be key in defining the remainder of the season as they return to home comforts for back-to back Premier League games.

Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth are the first side to arrive at WD18 after the international break, followed by the return of former boss Sean Dyche with Burnley a week later.

Both have experienced mixed form in recent weeks, despite two wins on the spin taking Burnley up to seventh, and Watford will be eager to plunder points against both.

One win could well be enough to rubberstamp the Golden Boys’ top-flight status for another year and the sooner Watford secure it the better.

Bournemouth will arrive at the Vic lying 10th in the table and a place ahead of Watford on goal difference alone after their 2-1 win over West Brom on Saturday.

Howe’s men have been in patchy form, however, picking up one win in their last five and Watford will be hopeful of making it four home wins in four for Gracia at the Cherries’ expense.

Doing so could take Watford 11 points clear of danger and surely end any lingering doubt about their long-term future.

Away days against Huddersfield, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United between now and the end of the season look to be challenging assignments, and it is conceivable Watford fail to take another point on the road this season.

Their home form will, therefore, carry greater significance as the season reaches its climax and Watford’s games at Vicarage Road look to be favourable as Crystal Palace and Newcastle also visit.

Starting those remaining home games with success against Bournemouth would be the ideal way to wash away the pain of Saturday’s drubbing and set up a positive conclusion to the campaign.