Etienne Capoue insists Watford’s players are still giving their all to gain Premier League points, despite their limp surrender against Hull City.

The Hornets went down to a 2-0 defeat to the Tigers, who played more than an hour with 10 men after Oumar Niasse’s red card, on a day which saw Walter Mazzarri’s side struggle to worry the hosts.

Capoue, who was himself guilty of missing a clear cut chance with the scores level at 0-0, was hurt by the defeat and says the squad is doing all it can to add to the club’s haul of 40 points.

“We are so disappointed, we wanted to pick up three points. We played against a tough team and they were better with 10 players on the pitch,” he said.

“We just want to prove to ourselves that we achievde a very good season and we need the winning spirit in every game. It was very difficult and we missed a good chance.

“We are not happy to get 40 points because we know we can get more points with the way we have played before.

“We want to get to the next level and to finish in a better position than last season. We have to win games like the ones against Hull.”

Saturday’s defeat came in the wake of Mazzarri laying down a gauntlet to his players, with the head coach claiming the final few games of the campaign will be used to assess his squad for next season.

There was little evidence Watford’s players had taken heed of that warning, however, and a number of them were below-par at the KCOM.

Capoue believes the Hornets are still eager to impress and understands the importance of making a good impression.

He said: “Of course. The league is not finished for us. We need to improve and prepare for next season as well.

“If you play well, you have the chance to play next season as well and everyone wants the chance to play in the Premier League.”