Watford boss Walter Mazzarri has suggested some of his players may be subconsciously relaxing after reaching 40 points in the Premier League.
The Hornets' 3-0 defeat by Leicester on Saturday was their third in four games, with goals from Wilfred Ndidi, Riyad Mahrez and Marc Albrighton condemning them at the King Power Stadium.
And the Italian has suggested complacency may have crept into his side after they all but secured survival last month.
"From the performance point of view, we didn't play as bad as the result shows. We also managed to get to 40 points when there were six games left, that was our objective, and we met it," said Mazzarri.
"Maybe subconsciously some of the players are a bit more relaxed, but now we have to work on the next games.
"Now everything we do is to create the base for next season and create the squad to be here next season."
Mazzarri insists his side played as well as the Foxes in the first half, but missed the chance to score that all-important first goal.
"I'm disappointed, especially at the way we conceded. They were individual mistakes. In the first half I think we played at the same level as Leicester, we could have and should have scored before them," he said.
"This didn't happen, and when you concede first against a team who is very good on the counter attack, it is very difficult."