Ralph Hasenhuttl has warned Saints they need to up their game if they are to get anything out of “outrageous” Watford tonight.

The Saints boss heaped praise on Javi Gracia’s team for an amazing season where they lead the way to secure a potential Europa League spot via their Premier League placing and have an FA Cup final to look forward to.

Saints come into the game on the back of a disappointing 3-1 defeat to Newcastle where they couldn’t quite recover the damage done during a dreadful first half display at St James’ Park.

Watford have plenty to play for still and so will be a tough nut to crack, especially at Vicarage Road.

Hasenhuttl said: “The message must be that just a little bit of playing football is not enough for us.

“We have to be aggressive again and to work harder like we didn’t in the first half (at Newcastle) otherwise against Watford a very strong team it’s again a big problem to take something.

“I think we have the quality to win there or to take a point but we need a really clinical or perfect performance.”

Watford’s form this season has been outstanding and Hasenhuttl only had positive words to say for the way they have performed.

“Outrageous I think,” he reflected.

“If you have the chance of the Euro League it’s amazing because they are the best of the rest at the moment.

“To go there is nearly as difficult as to play against one of the top six so we need a very good performance.”

Tonight’s game was due to be played before the international break in March but had to be rescheduled due to Watford’s involvement in the FA Cup.

They have since made it all the way to the final where they will face Manchester City.

It is undoubtedly a massive occasion for the Hornets and there is a school of thought that it could prove to be a distraction.

However, given they have the chance to try and gain European qualification via their league placing Hasenhuttl doesn’t think that is a factor.

“I think they have two chances to get into the Euro League so they will want to grab the first one with both hands on Tuesday,” he insisted.

“For us it’s about getting better in the game like against Newcastle.

“If we do so then I am convinced about my team that we always we can score, that we can always win games, and away games also.

“I am not frightened about the game but we must be clear than we need a better performance than Saturday.”