Watford defender Jose Holebas has expressed his delight at the fact the Hornets managed to play out a competitive 0-0 draw with Chelsea on Wednesday night - the type of performance and result that the fans inside Vicarage Road have come to expect in the Premier League this season.
Watford march on
Goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes received many of the post-match plaudits, and rightly so, after his performance between the sticks - particularly late on as Guus Hiddink's Blues pushed for a winner - helped a tired Watford side to see the game out and take a valuable point against last year's champions.
The result leaves Watford in ninth place in the Premier League table, four points above Hiddink's side and a point behind Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool. It has been a fairytale narrative for Quique Sanchez Flores' Hornets after many critics tipped them for immediate relegation this campaign. Instead, the Golden Boys have outdone all expectations and the confidence builds inside Vicarage Road every week.
Holebas, who had a terrific game and managed to nullify the threat posed by the likes of Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas, communicated to the press post-game that although he was happy with a point - that delight is tinged with disappointment that Watford couldn't take all three. The Greek international said that whatever the case, a side must "always believe [they] can win," citing Leicester City and their unbelievable title assault this season.
Hornets hold their own
Holebas spoke of the fact Watford had managed to hold Chelsea to "not having many chances", but pointed to Gomes' saves as helping them keep the score level. The defender described Gomes' performance as "excellent", and overall reflected that perhaps, on reflection, Watford are indeed "happy with a point".
The two sides shared the spoils with a 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge when they met on Boxing Day, and indeed Flores once again has managed to orchestrate a performance worthy of at least a point. For Watford to be holding their own with the best English football has to offer, is testament to the work Flores has put in with this Watford side.
Attention now turns to the trip to in-form Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, as the Hornets look to upset the odds once again. Holebas, however, believes the game can be approached with confidence, insisting that you have to "believe you can win" and quickly cited the Watford fans as a major fact in the Hornets' success. Describing them as "always loud", Holebas insisted they have been a major influence in getting behind the side and giving them confidence.
It is an attitude that has stood them in good stead this season, and now Watford will look towards Saturday and feel they have a big chance of stealing Spurs' limelight. Who would bet against them?
