"This was a strong team, strong enough. I think we could have won. That we didn't do it means that maybe we need something more if we want to go through and then try to challenge for this competition. We did what we had to do. We tried and we couldn't, that's it.

"Obviously we are disappointed. We made a couple of mistakes and conceded two goals in a game that was even and could have gone either way.

"You have to create chances to score goals. But in this game you cannot say we were much worse than them. We just have to realise that we cannot go through with this team, it means we have to now concentrate on the league.

"We have 15 games now to play and we have to be sure everyone is focused and no distractions.

"I am a professional, so I am convinced that we will do what we have to do and, in the end, we will stay up.

"But we have to concentrate and then be sure that we do the right things.

On his choosing not to bring Salomon Rondon off the bench: 

"You have to create chances to use the striker, you cannot just blame the people up front.

"We have to try and go through with what we have in the squad. It makes no sense to lose players (to injury) when we have to wait and see what happens in the future with the draw.

"I thought this team, with these players, I was convinced we could beat Watford, but we could not do it. We have what we have, and we have to carry on, and concentrate on the league."

On possible new signings this month:

"It's important to have new faces, but we will see what happens.

"I said I wouldn’t talk about the transfer window. Anything close? I have no idea."

Newcastle's bid to make it into the Fifth Round of the FA Cup for the first time since 2006 was predictably ended by a fellow Premier League side, in a tie of remarkably low quality at St. James' Park on Saturday.

Half time was reached with the game scoreless, a fair reflection on a shabby 45 minutes in which the visitors mustered one shot that was saved and the hosts seemed unaware that there was actually a goal at the other end.

There was little improvement until the 61st minute, when Hornets midfielder Will Hughes advanced to the edge of the United box before playing in striker Andre Gray, whose crisp low shot was en route to the Leazes End net before Jamaal Lascelles reached him.

Given our complete disinterest in attempting to score, one goal always seemed enough to ensure elimination but some childish defending handed Watford a second in the closing seconds.

Quina pulled away to the left of the home penalty area before knocking the ball across the six yard box to give the unguarded Isaac Success the simplest of chances.

In between those two goals, Newcastle actually did actually managed a shot on target - albeit from a defender. Javier Manquillo's run from the halfway line into the area resembled Fabian Schaar's dash upfield against Cardiff, but although the right back succeeded in clipping the ball over the goalkeeper it was headed away by Ben Wilmot in the six yard box.

Just before Watford's second, substitute Ayoze Perez - who had achieved more than any colleague within 90 seconds of his arrival - took the ball down from Kenedy's centre from the left but shot over the bar. 

Rather than decide which of Jacob Murphy, Isaac Hayden or Kenedy was our worst performer, it's easier just to label them all as a collective disgrace - lacking a shred of commitment to the cause or footballing prowess. 

Can't play, won't play.

Of Joselu our powers of description and abuse don't seem sufficient to convey just how limp he was: we can only repeat the question asked by a fellow malcontent; have we ever had a softer player?

Only rookie Sean Longstaff showed anything like an appetite for the fight and ability to shield and pass the ball - but I'm sure we'll get that out of him in due course...

So, no injuries, no suspensions, no replay, no goals - and absolutely no point in playing this tie or attending it. It would seem logical not to enter this competition in future, or the League Cup. 

We have played with more intensity and flair in testimonials - some of those selected for duty today appeared to take it as a personal affront. You can argue that the manager certainly didn't want to progress, but his players undoubtedly had their minds set on a weekend off in February.

This was the least important of the three meetings with the Hornets this season - and after taking four points from them, certainly the one to lose. The prospect of an unwanted extra trek to Hertfordshire certainly outweighed the novelty of seeing our name in the Fifth Round draw on Monday evening, but this was just a tedious, mind-numbingly awful excuse for a performance.

A football team used to play here. Not any more.

Biffa