There is a general sense of relief about Vicarage Road at the moment, after Watford managed to stop their run of four consecutive Premier League defeats - and no win in five fixtures - with a 2-1 win over Newcastle United on Saturday afternon, and both Craig Cathcart and Valon Behrami had their say post-game.
Stumbling over the line
It was far from an overwhelmingly convincing victory, but a goal apiece from Odion Ighalo - whose return to goalscoring will be a relief after he hit the back of the net for the first time in 2016 - and Cathcart, just about did enough for the Hornets, despite a goal from Jamaal Lascelles 20 minutes from time.
Watford were perhaps lucky that Newcastle's misfiring woes in front of goal continued, but in the end they showed enough character and the result fell their way. With the misfortune they have had in recent weeks - with late, confidence-crushing defeats against Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City - not many neutrals would begrudge them this one.
"It was great to give the fans the win"
- Craig Cathcart
Speaking to the offical Watford website, watfordfc.com, Cathcart desribed the importance of seeing the victory through, suggesting it was "nice to get the winning goal" and, perhaps more importantly, "get the three points". The 26-year-old furthermore described the invaluable support of the fans, who "stuck behind [them]" and "pushed [them] up the pitch", saying that it was a great feeling being able to "give them the win", after a "tough few weeks".
Better, together
The centre-back described the game as, ultimately, "things coming together" for Watford, and that you could see that it meant a lot to the players by the "relief on the lads' faces". Cathcart believes that the Hornets achieved their aim of "putting in a good performance" and that the win was a valuable one in the scheme of things, stopping the rot and "pushing {them] up the table".
The run of bad results coming to an end, Flores and his players will be looking to the future and of improving on what has been a remarkable season - and indeed 2015 - for the club. Cathcart expressed this same desire, saying that he hopes Watford can "sit and analyse" the game, and ultimately "take [their] form into the next couple of weeks", for the games to come.
"It has been difficult to find positives"
- Valon Behrami
Behrami too echoed his fellow player's thoughts on the game, also suggesting that the win had been an important one. The 30-year-old described the game as "very difficult", but went on to say that not only was it good to get back to winning ways, but that the win was important "mentally". The midfielder suggested that it had been "quite difficult to find positives" in the camp - despite the fact that the players did not "feel the pressure".
Futhermore, Behrami credited the way in which the team pulled through - showing their character when Newcastle had their backs against the wall in the final third. It was a nervy, edgy finish to the game, but sometimes you just need that bit of luck - and Watford just saw it out.
Now Behrami's intention is to keep looking forward to the rest of the season with a motto which has been on Flores' and every player's lips this season: "no pressure, no worries, just thinking positive".
