Watford defender Craig Cathcart says the players are to blame for Javi Gracia's sacking.

Cathcart was visiting his parents when he found out the news about Gracia's sacking - and subsequent replacement by Quique Sanchez Flores - and said he and his team-mates could have done more to keep him at Vicarage Road.

"I think as players if a manager gets sacked you do feel a sense of responsibility of not doing your job properly," said Cathcart.

"I think a few of us have to look at ourselves for that, the results weren't going the way anybody wanted them to, as a whole group of players and staff and obviously the club have made a decision to let the manager go and bring in Quique.

"We have to take responsibility, but we have to look forward now and do what the new manager wants to do and look forward to the rest of the season."