Jay DeMerit insists Watford can still make it back to the Premier League, despite a recent run of bad results that has left them fifth with two games to play.

After a season of being in contention, the Hornets now sit six points short of the automatic promotion places with only one win in 12 games.

"We've been making it hard on ourselves all season," DeMerit told American Soccer Daily. "Our goal the whole season was to avoid the playoffs and get automatic promotion to take the weight off our shoulders, but we just haven't been taking things by the scruff of the neck."

The Hornets stormed to a 10-point lead early in the season, but recent home reverses to Hull and Crystal Palace, both likely playoff opponents, have cast doubt on their ability to return to the Premier League.

"There is a bit of frustration," Wisconsin-born DeMerit admitted, "Because we always talk about our games and what we have not been able to do."

"For the last few games it hasn't really happened for us and as players we have to take responsibility for that. But we are up for it as that is the only way we are going to get automatic promotion."

"If we do end up in the playoff spots, we have to reassess because ultimately it is about being promoted one way or another."

Like many, the US international defender has found his team's inconsistency maddeningly hard to explain.

"I think it is a number of things," said DeMerit. "There is no easy opposition. We get a lot of looks from a number of teams who want to derail our ambitions."

"They come here, pack it in at the back and wait to hit us on the counter, which seems to be a good strategy. But at the end of the day, we are always in control of our own destiny. It is not going to be easy, but we are under no illusions about the challenge ahead."

"One of the positives of this team is that we bounce back from things really well. This season, we have showed that."

The Hornets skipper also insists there is no problem in being left on the bench the past few games, as coach Aidy Boothroyd has preferred Leigh Bromby for the center back partnership with Danny Shittu.

"I want to play, but I also want what is best for the team," said DeMerit. "What the manager says, I have to accept. Whining about it and kicking up a fuss doesn't help anybody."

"Hopefully, he will realize that maybe I can get back in there and give it a shot. But I just want to be able to help the team in whatever way I can."

On Saturday, the Hornets host second-to-last Scunthorpe at Vicarage Road.