Javi Gracia has implored his Watford players to produce the strong finish to the season both they and the Hornets fan base deserve.

A run of seven games without a win has seen the campaign meander towards an unsatisfactory conclusion as Watford have failed to deliver on early promise under Gracia’s leadership.

The visit of Newcastle United tomorrow provides the latest chance to bounce back to form and Gracia is eager for the Hornets to get the rewards their effort deserves.

“Yes, Watford need to improve in the next games and for sure I would like to see good performances which help us get the wins,” the Hornets head coach said.

“First of all, we must get the wins because the players deserve it and for sure because the supporters do as well.”

Watford’s slump in form has led many to question the application of Gracia’s men as they have once again struggled to finish the season in a strong fashion.

The previous two seasons have also seen the Hornets tail off and poor runs of form have resulted in the departure of the head coach on each occasion.

The assumption that Watford’s players have downed tools since reaching a point of relative safety is one which grates on Gracia.

The Spaniard, who celebrated his 48th birthday on Tuesday, says the focus of his players remains as intense as it was during the early throes of his reign.

“I see the same behaviour from the first day I was here until now and that hasn’t changed regardless of us getting good or bad results,” he said.

“After our defeats the players were frustrated and they know the situation and want to start getting good results.

“Every day they come to training and work very hard. I am sure in the next games we will get a good result because that is what we deserve to get.”

Newcastle’s failure to overcome bottom of the table West Bromwich Albion in a 1-0 defeat in their last game will provide Watford with a confidence boost.

Nonetheless the Magpies are not to be taken lightly and have enjoyed a profitable 2018 to move well away from the drop zone and sit 10th in the Premier League.

With a trip to Manchester United awaiting on the final day of the season, the final home game of the campaign presents the simpler of the Hornets’ two remaining fixtures.

With this in mind. centre-back Adrian Mariappa is keen to make the most of the game and insists the Hornets will leave nothing on the pitch tomorrow.

He said: “It is our last home game of the season so it is a great opportunity for us.

“We want to get some points and we will be doing everything we can to get the win.”

Results in the final games of the season could go a long way towards deciding the future of Gracia.

His position has been under increasing scrutiny and the poor run plus Watford’s tendency to sever ties with their head coaches means he could depart in the summer.

Mariappa has been impressed with Gracia’s impact, but accepts that the decision on his future lies out of the players’ hands.

“I think the gaffer has done terrifically since he has come in and we have to focus on our job as players. Other decisions are down to the club,” he said.

Defeat tomorrow would end any hopes of a top-half finish and could leave Watford in the relegation shake-up on the final day of the season.