Watford manager Walter Mazzarri has dismissed uncertainty surrounding his future by claiming the Hornets are on course to avoid relegation in a harder Premier League than last year.
The 4-1 defeat to Tottenham on New Year's Day saw Watford slip to 13th in the table, having won only once in seven games.
Dele Alli and Harry Kane each scored twice for Spurs at Vicarage Road before Younes Kaboul added a late consolation, but in the truth the scoreline flattered Watford, who were outplayed from start to finish.
Mazzarri's cause has not been helped by a number of injuries to key players, not least Camilo Zuniga, who felt pain in his ankle during the warm-up against Tottenham and had to be replaced at the last minute by Odion Ighalo.