Tom Dele-Bashiru is hoping to take another stride towards his individual best following injury hell, as Watford look for a return to winning ways away at Coventry City on Saturday (September 2, 3pm KO).
Prior to this ongoing campaign the combative midfielder had struggled to properly kick his Hornets career into gear, making just 11 appearances in all competitions either side of a productive loan at Reading in 2021/22, following his arrival in the summer of 2019.
Last term proved particularly frustrating for Dele-Bashiru - with a string of injury problems curtailing his involvement before and after he had seemingly established himself in the side around Christmas - but his goal 33 seconds into 2023/24 opening day ensured he started on the perfect path this time around.
“I’m happy with how the season has started for me on a personal level - getting out there and just playing minutes,” said the 23-year-old, who has started all five of the Golden Boys’ outings so far this term. “Last season was so difficult being out with three different injuries, so I’m just living in the moment and enjoying being out on the football pitch.
“It is difficult [bouncing back from injuries]. You have to be mentally tough - when you’re close to a return and then get a setback, which is what happened three times last year, it’s hard to take.
“Physically I feel good now. I had no problems in pre-season and to score so early in the QPR game was the best possible start. It was the result of patterns we’d been working on for a long time, and to see it come off was a brilliant feeling.
“The Head Coach [Valérien Ismaël] has asked me to work a bit higher up the pitch compared to where I’ve been previously, and to work on getting those goals and assists, and to see it come off like that was brilliant.
“I’m starting to get back to my best shape physically, but there is still room for improvement. I’m not 100 per cent flying yet because of my lack of games in the last year or so, and I’m eager to keep improving to help the team.”
While Dele-Bashiru looks to continually build on his individual performances, he also recognises the need for the team to improve across all areas of the pitch ahead of the visit to the CBS Arena, in the wake of consecutive defeats against Stoke City and Blackburn Rovers.
He said: “The Blackburn game in particular was frustrating because we felt like we were the better team. We created the better chances and were unlucky not to get anything out of the match, but we need to be better with our decision-making.
“In the final third we need to be more composed. We’re creating lots of chances and having lots of shots, but the quality of our shots has been poor. We just need to stay calm, stay confident and brave on the ball, and I’m sure when one goes in they’ll start flowing.”
An away clash against last season’s Sky Bet Championship play-off finalists suggests a tough afternoon is in store for Dele-Bashiru and his teammates this weekend - especially considering Coventry are unbeaten since the opening day.
But the Manchester City youth product insists Watford have to take their own game to the Sky Blues, and is full of belief that they have the tools to rediscover their shooting boots and return to Hertfordshire with all three points.
Dele-Bashiru added: “It’ll be a difficult game for sure - I’ve played against them a couple of times and they’re a hard-working team who are difficult to play against and to break down.
“We know what to expect from them - we know we need to be wary of their counter attack, and we need to win our battles and duels all over the park. We have to play our own game no matter who we’re up against though, and if we can do that I’m confident we’ll have what it takes on the day.”
