FOLLOWING a clean sheet and three goals in front of a home crowd on Tuesday night, 'Orns defender Adrian Mariappa feels that Watford could be well on their way to another victory this Saturday in Barnsley.

"Saturday will be a very tough game, especially as we're away, but that doesn't change anything - we're looking to win the game as we do with any game we go into.

"We'll be going into the match positively and it helps that we're coming off the back of a home win so we're looking to carry on that momentum from Tuesday evening.

"After a couple of bad results it was good to get a win in against Sheffield United, especially a clean sheet as well, it lifts the spirits and wins breed confidence.

"Personally, it was good to get back to right-back position as I haven't played there since the early part of the season and I tried and get forward and help in attack.

"It's hard to put a finger on why we've been getting the recent away results we have been" continued Mariappa.

"We haven't been as consistent as we would have liked to be but hopefully now we can get a few away wins under our belt and be a team that is a lot harder to beat away from home."

The Hornets' defence has definitely grown in confidence since the towering figure of former Birmingham City man Martin Taylor joined the defensive forces.

"You can see what a difference he's made with his height and his presence" said the Watford Academy graduate. "It was something that was needed in the team.

"Martin's slotted into the squad like he's been here all season so he's a great addition to the lads.

"It's important to have the right mix of youth and experience; Martin has a wealth of experience and he's bringing that to the team, it's welcomed and it's what we needed."

Mariappa revealed that he was glad the transfer window hadn't been too disruptive on the Golden Boys.

"Since the beginning of the season there has been a lot of comings and goings.

"We've now signed a few new lads who have slotted in well, so there's not been too much disruption which is a good thing.

"I think we've always been focussed as a team and knew where we were headed and now we're more settled and just fully focussed on the games ahead.

"It's too early to say where we'll finish at the end of the season as the league is so close, but we're just taking it game by game."

Mariappa, who captained Watford's U18 team while he was a scholar, praised the current crop of young talent ahead of their FA Youth Cup tie with Liverpool on Monday (8 February).

"I loved playing in the Youth Cup and have got some great memories of it" he said.

"I'm buzzing that the young lads have got the chance to play at Anfield and it will be a great experience for them.

"Hopefully they can cause an upset up there and get through to the next round."

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