Watford full-back Jose Holebas cut a frustrated figure after the Hornets almost let a victory slip in the dying moments of a game for the second time in a week and says the players have to keep their focus.

Speaking after the 3-2 victory over Cardiff City on Saturday, Holebas described the victory as "important" but insisted lessons need to be learnt.

The 34-year-old had scored either side of strikes from Gerard Deulofeu and Domingos Quina to put Javi Gracia's men 3-0 ahead, but two goals in as many minutes from Junior Hoilett and Bobby Reid ensured the end of the game was more edgy than it should have been.

Holebas told the club website: “We went too sloppy in the last 10 minutes. Some have to focus a little bit more on the small details and be focussed for 95 minutes.

“For 80 minutes we did a good job today and then in the end we thought we had the game and that’s what we have to change.

“We have to really learn from that game, especially with last week as well (the 2-2 draw at Everton). You have to be really focussed.”

The former Greek international also spoke of taking the league one game at a time and explained why he believes setting targets is counter-productive for a club like Watford.

He said: “We are not that big a club like Arsenal, Man City or Liverpool who have a target to be a Champions League team, Europa League or whatever.

“They have a lot of pressure with that and I think that would be not a good idea to set a target for the boys.”