Fresh from agreeing a new two-year deal, Ben Foster is chomping at the bit to return to competitive action and said the absent fans will be at the forefront of the players' minds when they restart the season.
All of the Premier League's remaining matches will be played behind closed doors, on government advice, and Foster said he feels for the supporters unable to attend the Hornets' last nine fixtures of the campaign.
“I'm getting loads of messages on social media about people can't wait for the action to resume and I know it's going to be tough for them watching on TV and not turning up to the stadium,” said the goalkeeper. “It won't be the same for the fans or the players, but I want to assure them that we'll be giving it everything for them and we know they'll be right behind us. We can't wait to see them again, when it's safe to do so, but this is how it is right now so we've got to get on with doing our best, and make sure when they are allowed back to games, that they are coming back to watch Premier League football.”
The Hornets are 17th after racking up five wins in 12 matches under Nigel Pearson – and Foster is confident the team can continue their steady climb up the table and secure a sixth straight season of Premier League football.
“We've got to hit the ground running, that's for sure, and I really believe we can get up to mid-table if we come back all guns blazing and get three wins on the bounce,” he said. “All of a sudden we go from 17th to mid-table as it's that tight between six or seven teams. It's massive we get off to a good start.”
The Golden Boys kick off against Leicester on Saturday June 20, 12.30pm KO, and Foster is relishing being back in goal for the first time since March 7.
“I can't wait,” he said. “It's been a long time away and we've been training really hard since we've been back, so we are ready to play now. It's been like a mini pre-season and we've gone home really tired every day, but everyone knows what we are doing it for and what the goal is.
“The lads have come back in great shape, their body fat is low and they look supremely fit, which is testament to the work of the physios, the strength and conditioning guys and the players themselves. Now we are ready for the action to start. It's going to be a little weird playing games behind closed doors, but at the same time, the unknown brings excitement.”
