Femenía: “This Is The Best Time In My Career”

Kiko Femenía feels in the form of his career and hopes to maintain his high standards and those of the team against Derby County at Vicarage Road.

Femenía has played for the likes of Barcelona B, Real Madrid B, Alavés and 80 times in the Premier League for the Golden Boys, but this season represents the high-water mark and he has put together a seriously impressive body of work, twice winning the Sportsbet.io Player of the Month award.

“Ever since I signed for Watford this is the best time in my career,” he said in an interview to be shown from 7pm on Hive Live on Friday night. “I am really happy to be here. I try to train as best as I can on a daily basis and do the best I can. My form is not only down to me: it's down to the team as we are playing very good football.

“My family is very important to me and also helped me a lot. It's great to have my two daughters over here with me now. Having a settled family situation helps on the pitch because it gives you the serenity in your mind to play well on the pitch.”

The form of the Spaniard, 30, has underpinned a consistent promotion challenge that has left the Hornets nursing just one defeat in the last eight, left them three points off second place and with 15 clean sheets. Femenía achieved promotion to the top tier of Spanish football with Alavés in 2016 and hopes to do the same here with Watford.

“The most important thing is the dressing room,” he said. “It is key to have a good atmosphere in the dressing room. A game can turn a good way or a bad, but having that happiness is key and helps the push for promotion. The aim is to go up and to go up we aim to go direct in the first two spots in the league. We have to take more of our chances and try to win every game. It's obviously not going to be possible, but we will try our best. We know how tough this league is, but we will try.”

The Hornets will be seeking a third straight win on Friday night when the Rams come to town. Derby may be in 17th spot but they are in fine form having won five of their last six.

“Every game will be tough,” said the right-back. “We expect every team that comes to Vicarage Road to be quite defensive, but we have a lot of ability and we have to make the most of this and win the game. Wayne Rooney was a great player with great experience and it looks like he has given confidence to his players. A player with confidence is a better player. There is a huge difference between a player with confidence and a player without. He's having a good impact on the team and is doing a good job. It will be a tough game, but we will go for it.”