If there is one defeat Watford have reason to regret more than the others this season, it arguably came at St James’ Park at the start of November.

A dominant first-half display saw the Hornets create enough chances to have been firmly in control by the interval, only for Ayoze Perez to punish the visitors’ profligacy when he headed in a 65th-minute free-kick to end Newcastle United’s run of five straight home defeats at the start of the season.

Reflecting on that 1-0 defeat ahead of this afternoon’s Vicarage Road return, Javi Gracia said: “You always learn things in the games you play, but if you ask me my opinion in that game I think we played really well and we had chances to win that game. But Newcastle took their chance and after that they won.

“I don’t know who deserved the victory but I was happy with the performance in that game, only it was a bad result.”

Turning to today's task, Gracia said: "I'm sure it will be a tough game. We have to be patient, to be constant, to be demanding in our defensive work because if we make a mistake I am sure they are going to take their chance.

"They are always a very well organised team and I know in the next game it will not be different."

Rafa Benitez’s side head to Hertfordshire 15th in the Premier League, five points clear of the drop zone, but with only one win in their last six matches.

Despite that form, Gracia believes the Magpies have improved since the two sides last met, explaining: “I think they are much better now. They are changing their shape, they are playing more times with three at the back and this way they’ve got better results. They have a good squad and in the beginning they had (Salomon) Rondon injured sometimes.

“If we see how they usually play the games they don’t need the possession, they don’t look for the possession, they try to surprise their rivals with counter-attacks, with direct balls in some moments. It will be different.

“I think we will have more possession than in our last game [Wednesday’s 2-1 defeat to Chelsea] and we have to manage it to be able to get a good result.”