The Hornets are doing incomparably better under Nigel Pearson than they were under his two predecessors earlier in the season, yet there’s still so much work to do to reach safety.
We take a look at what the club’s players have to say about their current predicament, and what’s being asked of them.
Hornets midfielder Will Hughes said: “We are in a decent position compared to where we were mid-December where everyone basically had us relegated.
“We’ve put ourselves back in the mix and it’s only up from here. Everyone deserves credit to where we’ve come back from. The performances are there and the character is there as well. It’s about getting those wins now.”
Defender Christian Kabasele thinks the fans are playing as big a part in Watford’s fight for survival as the players themselves.
“The support is always great,” said the Belgian. “The fans are still behind us even if during some moments we don’t deserve this support. We need to show them we are really grateful and really involved in this fight and send them home with the three points.”
‘Fight’ is a word that’s clearly been instilled in the players since Pearson’s takeover in December – star player Abdoulaye Doucouré was recently quoted saying: “We’ll fight until the end.”
Similarly, Spanish winger Gerard Deulofeu said: “We have to do this altogether, fight as one, fight as a team and give the fans a great three points. I’m trying hard every game to help the team.”
Veteran goalkeeper Ben Foster has made similar rallying cries; he’s also been honest with his analysis of his side’s performances. One criticism he’s commented on is Watford’s tendency to invite pressure late in games and drop deep.
He said: “I think that’s just the symptoms of where we are in the league to be honest, it’s almost like it’s human nature to defend the lead at all costs.
“We’re not trying to sit back, and the gaffer doesn’t want us to sit back. But when the pressure gets on you, you’re at an away stadium, the crowd get up and they get on the front foot, it’s inevitable that sometimes that’s going to happen.
“If we work our socks off when we haven’t got the ball then we should do the same when we have got it as well.”
Picture courtesy of Alan Cozzi & Watford FC
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