It’s not a case of new year, new start for Javi Gracia, but ensuring the hard work and positive mentality that he believes has served Watford well this season continues.

The Hornets head into the first round of fixtures of 2019 ninth in the Premier League table, and just one point below seventh as they seek to build on a broadly positive first half of the campaign.

“I don’t know if we need many new things,” the Hornets head coach said when asked if he would be making any New Year’s resolutions. “I think we have to keep doing the things we have done until now.

“I look to be demanding with ourselves because I think it is the best way to improve ourselves, the club, all of us, but on the other hand I like to give value to my players. I think in this moment they are doing many things well.

“We have to live different moments in this season, but the attitude is important, our mentality is good and we try to keep it in the new year.”

Gracia made six changes, five of which were unenforced, for Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Newcastle United and speaking after the game he expected to make more alterations for tomorrow’s trip to Bournemouth.

He said: “I don’t know how many but some changes we’ll have to do, for sure.”