Unlike when he scored the match-winning goal this evening, Danny Welbeck was keeping his feet on the ground when dissecting just what these three points could mean to Watford’s chances of survival this season.
The striker bagged his first Premier League goal for the club with a spectacular bicycle kick which earned a vital victory against Norwich City, but he knows the Hornets must build upon this result going into another important fixture on Saturday.
“It’s a big goal,” said Welbeck. “To get the three points today, especially after going behind, we showed great character as a team, as a collective.
“To come back and respond so early as we did and then to get the winning goal and get the three points today, it’s a massive job well done for us.
“The determination and the desire were there, and I think we set the standard with that performance. It’s something now that we can build upon and take into the next game.”
Welbeck thinks his strike trumps Craig Dawson’s equaliser against Leicester City for the best overhead kick at the Rookery End since the restart.
The striker couldn’t comment on how his effort compares to Nick Wright’s famous goal for the club at Wembley in 1999 – although he did ask to see a replay of that strike after his interview duties were finished – but it’s fair to say he was pleased with his work regardless.
“It’s one of those moments where, when the ball falls to you like that, there’s only one thing you can go for,” said the 29-year-old.
“To be fair I heard a couple of boys shouting ‘Time’ but once it was there, I knew I could make a sweet connection with it. I haven’t actually [scored a bicycle kick before] so I’m pretty pleased with that.
“I was looking over my head and seeing it go into the top corner was a great moment for me. This one means a lot to me personally and it means a lot to the club. We needed three points today, it was massive for us, so it’s definitely up there [with my best goals].”
When Welbeck was forced off with a hamstring injury in the match at Spurs back in October – just when he was settling nicely into this Watford team – moments like tonight would have felt far away.
But the striker was determined to get back to full fitness as soon as possible to help the team out and now wants to ensure he plays a key role in this survival challenge.
“It was a low moment, it’s one that’s gone now and it’s behind me,” he said.
“Now I want to focus on the remaining games, give it my all and make an impact as I did today. I’m looking forward to it and relishing the challenge.
“Obviously, those times are difficult, but you’ve got to keep the faith and make sure you keep your head and know there’s better times to come.
“Going into the next game in a few days, we have to prepare right mentally, tactically and physically. We’ll get the recovery in and then we’ll go again, and we’re looking forward to that game on Saturday.”
