MIDFIELDER Don Cowie believes the Hornets are more than ready for the big kick-off away to Norwich City tonight.
The Scottish international, who netted twice for the club last season, just wants the season to start and put the hard work achieved in pre-season to good use.
Cowie said: "I can't believe it's been six weeks since we've been back. You're a bit apprehensive when you first come back with the thought of the hard work ahead, but it needs to be done. It will set us in good stead for the season.
"Everyone's been working hard and this is what it's been all for with the game nearly here so the boys are raring to go."
The 27-year-old will be turning out for his second full Championship season in a Hornets shirt and will hope to have learnt from last season.
"It was my first full season at Championship level. Obviously it's very demanding with 46 games in a season. I think I managed 42 games and I picked up a couple of niggles here and there. It's going to happen so it's just something you have to deal with.
"It's just a case of it being a long season and its just about being as consistent as you can. It's a learning curve and I feel a lot stronger going into this season on the back of what I have under my belt from last season."
Cowie knows that the team went through some patchy spells during last season's gruelling campaign but finished the season on a high.
"Around February and March you are playing Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday, Tuesday. We had a small squad. It's hard, mentally and physically on your body.
"You've just played a game and you're trying to recover and you have to get yourself up for it again. It's hard.
"We had quite a thin squad and we didn't change the team too much because the manager didn't have too many bodies so that's probably a reason why, after the Christmas period we struggled with the team and went on that bad run, but we finished the season well with two good wins.
"Some people probably didn't want the season to end as there was such a good feeling around the place."
In the way of a winning start to the new league season for the Golden Boys stand Cowie's Scottish compatriot, Paul Lambert and the Canaries.
Lambert's men brushed aside challenges from big names such as Leeds United and Charlton Athletic to claim the League One crown so the former Ross County midfielder is wary of the threat they pose.
"To bypass a team like Leeds, who were looking so strong for long periods is a great achievement and I'm sure they will be coming up with a lot of confidence because they are used to winning games, but it's not going to be easy for them.
"They are going to have to earn the right to do well in this league and starting this Friday we will give them a big test."
Article by Tom Sharp.
