ENERGETIC midfielder Don Cowie is expecting a tough game when Leeds United arrive at Vicarage Road on Saturday, but insists the Hornets will go for the jugular.

Malky Mackay's young side tasted defeat for the first time this season when they hosted League One outfit Notts County during the week.

It seems the 2-1 home defeat in the Carling Cup, though disappointing, wasn't enough for heads to drop and the Scot believes there are enough positives to take into this weekend's clash.

He said: "I don't really see Tuesday as a blip. Result wise people would look at it in a bad light but performance wise there were a lot of positives and we remain confident.

"I know we've only played three league games so we're not going to get carried away. After Saturday we could have eight points on the board after four games, which would be a great start for us."

Don Cowie celebrates Danny Graham's goal with the striker

The Whites also suffered defeat in the second round of the Carling Cup, losing 2-1 at home to Leicester City. Therefore both teams will be determined to bounce back with a win in a match that should be a great encounter at the Vic.

"If you look at their team it's very attack minded," said the former Inverness man, "From midfield to their front boys they've got some very good players, at least five or six attacking players, so I'm sure they will come to us and try to be positive.

"But it's up to us as the home team to expect that, come out on the front foot and put them on the back foot."

Cowie has racked up over 50 appearances for the Hornets since joining from Inverness in 2008. He knows exactly what to expect from Leeds and insists all the players, including the youngsters, know how difficult a league the Championship is.

"Every game in this league is massive. Every game is hard, it doesn't matter who you're playing it's going to be extremely difficult.

"They got promotion last season, something they had been aiming for, for a few years. They are delighted to get back into the Championship and they're a massive club.

"I'm sure they will have a big following with them on Saturday. They've had a couple of good results recently after losing their first league game.

"So we know it will be a very hard game but I don't see any reason why we can't gain another three points."

By Leigham Stone