After going through a tough run of Premier League results, but now seemingly settling into their groove again, Watford look to have turned a corner.
As a result, instead of viewing the visit to White Hart Lane in order to face an in-form Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, as an obstacle to trip them up, Watford - and indeed manager Quique Sanchez Flores - now believe the game offers the perfect opportunity to prove how competitive they can be.
Established position
Wednesday night's impressive 0-0 draw with Chelsea was hard fought and at times a challenge that a couple of seasons ago Watford may not have managed. Instead, their hard work and determination - plus some smart stops from goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes - was enough to frustrate last year's Premier League champions and take away a share of the spoilts - just like when the sides met at Stamford Bridge on Boxing Day.
"We enjoy facing the big teams"
- Quique Sanchez Flores
With confidence at a high - and performances backing it up - Watford believe they can take the game to any team at the moment, and now Flores believes that a game against a Tottenham side that are in great form, might just throw up some more surprises. Speaking to the Watford Preview Show, Flores insisted that his side "enjoy" every time they face "big teams" in "amazing stadiums" as it offers the Hornets a chance to show how "ready" and "competitive" the side really are.
If it's the big games Flores relishes, then Spurs should offer a real test. Unbeaten in 11 games, Mauricio Pochettino's side have won their last five in all competitions, and got the better of Watford in the return fixture at Vicarage Road - running out 2-1 winners with a late goal that frustrated Flores.
Out for revenge
The Spaniard suggested in his interview that Watford "don't have good memories" of the game, and insisted his side have a "very good plan" in place to get their revenge. Tactful to the last, Flores suggested that Pochettino would "prepare properly" for the game, considering all angles in an attempt to take down Watford, but suggested the "most important thing" was that his side is "ready".
Furthermore, the Watford boss went on to discuss his side's fitness and energy levels, suggesting that the Hornets have "recuperate[d] [their] energy" and "spirit", while going unbeaten in their last three games. Once more Flores was quick to discuss his side's progress this season, suggesting that in terms of both "form" and "ambition", Watford are in a great place right now.
Flores finished by suggesting that the atmosophere around Vicarage Road right now is "good" and that the players are "positive", even in light of the tough side that awaits them at White Hart Lane. Flores says his side go with the idea of being "competitive" and seeing how it turns out. As it goes this season, that has often resulted in valuable points. As the Hornets prepare to face Spurs on Saturday, Flores and his players will once more believe they have every chance of proving themselves in the Premier League.