Head Coach Rob Edwards has urged his players to build on the momentum gained from Tuesday night’s dramatic victory over Middlesbrough, as Watford seek a first win on the road this season away at Rotherham United (September 3, 3pm KO).
Vakoun Bayo’s late strike earned a memorable three points for the Hornets on the 100-year anniversary of the first match at Vicarage Road, but with the dust barely settled after that clash attention has already shifted to Saturday’s trip to South Yorkshire.
Three away games so far in 2022/23 have yielded three draws, and though an unbeaten record isn’t something to turn your nose up at Edwards is clear he is itching to claim a first triumph on his travels with the club.
“It’d be great to get a win away from home,” the 39-year-old said. “We’ve had three tough games so far – I think we were all happy with the point at West Brom, but we felt we maybe should’ve at least got one win from the Birmingham and Preston games.
“The mood’s understandably been good after the win on Tuesday. There’s nothing like a last-minute winner, and when something like that goes in your favour you have to enjoy it.
“We’re aware it was only one game and we’ve moved on to the next one swiftly, but there’s definitely positivity in the camp and we’re all looking forward to getting back out on the grass again.”
The closing of the transfer window on Thursday evening served as a boost to Edwards and his squad, with the limit on further incomings and outgoings providing a degree of stability as the club targets immediate promotion back to the Premier League.
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João Pedro and Ismaïla Sarr in particular were subject to plenty of transfer speculation throughout the summer, and Edwards reiterated his delight at the pair’s attitude while also acknowledging that retaining their services will be a big benefit on the pitch.
He said: “I’m delighted to have kept João and Isma, obviously. I stressed after the game on Tuesday that they’ve both been amazing during a difficult period, and I can’t speak highly enough of them.
“Whether it’s on the grass, in the office, in the canteen or whatever, you would never know that anything’s been going on. They’ve been great. We’ve all seen their commitment on the pitch, and their quality is always going to help the rest of the team.”
With a number of players still to return to the fold after injury issues, and with the squad now able to fully settle, Edwards is confident the Golden Boys will continue improving going forward.
The Watford boss also reserved a special mention for full-back Jeremy Ngakia, who is closing in on his first minutes of the campaign after a back complaint.
He said: “It’s been a challenging first month, with the amount of games and the transfer window, but I think we’ve come through it pretty well. We’re not where I want us to be at the moment, but I know, and the fans know, that we can get better, and we will.
“Jeremy’s one of the players we’re looking forward to welcoming back at some point soon, and he’s been out on the grass in the last couple of days. I’m confident he can come in and play a big part for us this season, and we’re all excited to see what he can do.”
Finally, Edwards pointed to the challenge posed by next opponents Rotherham, who have tasted just one defeat in six second-tier matches so far this term under boss Paul Warne.
Despite Watford’s lofty ambitions Edwards knows another tricky game lies in store at the New York Stadium, but he insisted he and his team are more than up for the challenge.
He added: “Rotherham have had a good start, and they’re going to provide another difficult test. They mix things up well, and from having looked at them I know they play a good brand of effective football.
“Paul’s done a very good job and he’s built up a great connection with the club. I came across him once when I was the first-team coach at Wolves so I’m looking forward to seeing him again, but hopefully it’ll be me who’s the happier of the two of us!”
