Watford Head Coach Slaven Bilić is excited to face off against top-of-the-table Burnley in the Sky Bet Championship clash at Turf Moor (Tuesday February 14, 8pm KO), as his side look to go a step further following a 1-1 draw against Blackburn Rovers last time out.
The Croatian boss felt that there were positives to take after earning a point against Rovers at Vicarage Road, with Wesley Hoedt’s debut goal levelling the score for the Hornets. Ahead of the encounter against Burnley, Bilić acknowledged that the squad is returning to a familiar position, with the absentee list decreasing with each passing fixture.
He’s eager to see the continued return of previously-injured players, with Bilić planning to hand more minutes to those squad members coming back against a tough Clarets side.
“It was good to have some players back for the game against Blackburn Rovers, and we’re going to have more or less the same squad for the game against Burnley,” he began.
“It’s never easy to play after three days, and yesterday (Sunday February 12) we were in. It was a recovery day and today we’re going to see if there are any issues, but overall we are fine.
“It was very good that some players like João Pedro started the game against Blackburn after his injury, and Tom Cleverley, Ken Sema and Imrân Louza all played and that broke the ice. They played for a few minutes, and it was definitely good psychologically and physically because they are in better shape.
“They will be involved for the game against Burnley, and we are building them up to come back to top shape where we will need them for the remainder of the season.
“We are getting thicker in terms of squad members. We are over that period of an incredible amount of injuries - there are still a couple of them injured, who are very important, but we have to count on our squad. We are getting fitter.”
Despite three draws in their previous four outings, Bilić’s side have just one defeat in their last six league matches and, coupled with a strong away record, the Watford boss will be hoping to turn those stalemates into three points more regularly.
“We might have one defeat in the last six, but it isn’t enough,” he said. “That’s why we have to find a way to convert our draws into wins because the draws aren’t enough if you want to keep a good atmosphere.
“For what we want to do, we have to start winning games - not one game, but games. The whole team and squad have big confidence because the players are coming back from injury. That is what we have been talking about behind closed doors. That’s what we have been waiting for, for a long time.
“The hardest one is to take the players who are training and available, and take them into a good run of form. We have to keep our patience by not pushing them too early to do the whole game.”
Bilić is aware of the challenge that the Clarets will present when they travel to Turf Moor, and is full of adulation for the manager in the home dugout, Vincent Kompany.
“It’s always a big game when you are facing the current number one in your division,” he added. “It’s a big challenge and a big opportunity to see where you are. They’re having an incredible season, they are full of confidence and they have lots of wins.
“They are playing at home and they can play freely because they aren’t afraid of dropping points. It’s a big test for us and a big opportunity for us.
“You just have to look at the table, their consistency, the way they play and their confidence to see how good a job Vincent Kompany is doing. He is a Premier League legend but this is his first season as manager on the island and in the Championship. He is having a great season and it’s almost secure for him. A big chapeau to him.”
