Watford wanting Wednesday win
Although a 3-1 defeat at Cardiff on Saturday would suggest otherwise, the tide appears to be turning for Malky Mackay's troops.
The Hornets secured a crucial 2-1 win over Ipswich last Tuesday to end a worrying slump in form and even the weekend loss at the Cardiff City Stadium offered hope in the club's battle against relegation.
The team looked a revitalised force for almost an hour in Wales, although were ultimately undone by the promotion-chasing Bluebirds.
The loss was their 12th consecutive game on the road without victory, a statistic that really underlines Watford's stuttering away form during the current campaign.
But Mackay's men perhaps face their biggest challenge yet as they travel to Hillsborough on Wednesday.
Facing fellow strugglers Sheffield Wednesday, the pressure is on for the Hornets to deliver an elusive away victory to ease relegations concerns and to muster the fighting sprit shown in their last two outings.
Manager Mackay was without two of his first team regulars for the trip to Wales - captain Jay DeMerit and Henri Lansbury both suffered minor injuries in training allowing Lee Hodson and Ross Jenkins to take their place in the team.
It took the hosts only seven minutes to open up a lead in the sunshine, Scot Ross McCormack latching onto Peter Whittingham's corner to fire beyond Scott Loach.
Tuesday night's hero Will Hoskins saw his effort clear David Marshall's crossbar six minutes later and then fathomed an even better chance as the Hornets imposed themselves on the game.
A Don Cowie corner found the head of Martin Taylor, whose effort crashed against the bar on 24 minutes, with Hoskins unable to capitalize on the rebound.
Watford continued surging forward in impressive fashion during the opening 45, and had another glorious opportunity to level scores just before the interval.
Again Cowie was the provider, but his cross could not be turned in by the pressurized Heidar Helguson.
The hosts unsurprisingly came out for the second half a better side, and the introduction of Stephen McGinn and Danny Graham could not prevent Cardiff doubling their lead.
A high Chris Burke cross was not dealt with and Whittingham powered in a header on 64 minutes.
The introduction of Will Buckley for his first outing for Mackay added some pace to the Hornets' attack but Cardiff forward Jay Bothroyd had two good chances within 10 minutes of each other, the first sailing just wide and the second well saved by Loach.
The home team only looked like adding to their lead and did so on 78 minutes, Chris Burke finishing beyond Loach to all but wrap up the victory.
Youngster Buckley continued to impress with his tenacity, but his team could only summon a consolation deep into injury time as Helguson fired in a powerful effort.
Watford boss Mackay rued his team's inability to make the most of their first-half pressure in the aftermath:
"It sounds like the same old story here but in the first half we took the game to Cardiff and they had that one attempt on goal.
"It did the damage though and was a fantastic strike.
"That aside, Cardiff never troubled our goal and we had four or five incredible efforts that didn't end up going in. All in all it was very frustrating."
The former defender concluded by acknowledging the need for a result against Sheffield Wednesday:
"We've got to go there and take the first half performance into the game - apply it and tighten up."
The Hornets remain three points off the relegation zone and critically have a two point and two game advantage over the Owls ahead of the fixture.
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Weather for Tring
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
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Temperature: -3 C to 0 C
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