Ben Foster made his return to the starting line-up for the first time since November 20, helping the Hornets to a 1-1 draw against Newcastle United.
Foster has been out with a groin injury and last featured in Watford’s 4-1 win over Manchester United, and although he felt the effects of playing 90 minutes after the game, the 38-year-old was pleased to be back in action.
“Personally I feel like an old man at the minute, my first game in two months!” joked Foster.
“It’s lovely to be back out there, I’m just glad I could help the team a little bit today. Today was about stopping the rot and definitely not losing.
“When you’re playing these six pointers the most important thing is to not lose, and to score like we did was very pleasing. We just need a little bit more belief. We know we've got good players but we didn’t get started until we were 1-0 down.”
Watford fell behind to an Allan Saint-Maximin strike in the second half, but clinched a point late on through Joao Pedro’s header. Foster was delighted to win a point and prevent Newcastle from overtaking the Golden Boys, but hopes his side can have more confidence to score the opener in the next games.
“It’s all down to psychology,” he said. “We’re a bit better than we used to be about talking about how we’re feeling, when we’re low on confidence. For me it’s one of the biggest things that can hold you back. We need to address it, realise why it takes going a goal behind before we believe in ourselves. It’s almost like we’ve got nothing to lose, but we need to do that from the first minute.”
Two fixtures next week against Burnley and Norwich City see the Hornets take on sides below them in the table. Foster understands the magnitude of the matches, stressing that avoiding defeat, as they had done at St James’ Park, is vital.
“They’re all six pointers, simple as that. The most important thing is to not lose, because we know if we do the teams below us are gaining ground on us and possibly overtake us, so that goal today is massive.
“It’s a nice feeling to come away from here with a point because it’s a difficult place to come when the Newcastle fans get going and get behind the team.”
