Quique Sanchez Flores' Watford are just one win away from playing at Wembley Stadium and getting through to their first FA Cup semi-final since 2007. Defending champions Arsenal stand in their way, and Hornets' defender Allan Nyom has stressed the importance of the travelling fans' support on Sunday afternoon.
Watford will travel to the Emirates Stadium and despite only finding out who their opponents would be - after Arsenal's 4-0 victory over Hull City - on Tuesday night, an incredible 9,000 away fans are expected to make the trip - and Nyom believes this "extra man" mentality could even swing the tie in the Hornets' favour.
An extra push
Speaking to the Watford Weekend Preview Show on Hornets PlayerHD, Nyom suggested that the fans "help [Watford] very much to win", offering loud support during each game. In a similar tone to some of the other Hornets' players comments this week, Nyom insisted that the team are "going to try and play well for them", before further suggesting that it is important not to "feel alone" during a game - and the Watford fans make sure this is impossible.
It is no surprise that Watford are confident; they have been all season, and perhaps rightly so given the fact the Hornets have performed well beyond any pre-season expectations. Unsurprisingly then, Nyom suggests the main objective is "of course to win", and that the players "believe [they] can". Despite that, Nyom insists that if "each player gives 100 per cent", the fans will "be happy", regardless of the result - although of course everyone about the club would love to see the Hornets into the last four of the competition.
Under the radar
It's been a slow, steady progression for Watford in this year's FA Cup, with 1-0 wins against Newcastle Unied, Nottingham Forest and Leeds United in previous rounds. Arsenal, of course, will be much tougher competition and it remains to be seen whether the Hornets can finally find their scoring boots after a lean couple of months in from of goal.
"Everyone fights for their team-mate"
- Allan Nyom
Nyom has played in two of Watford's previous FA Cup ties and even though the defence has receieved plenty of compliments for their clean sheets, Nyom believes that it's "all the team" that deserves credit. Watford's ethos has been the same all season, and it's no surprise to hear Nyom suggesting that "everyone fights for their team-mate" within the Watford squad. That has been plain to see.
Echoing the sentiments of his fellow players, Nyom admitted that Sunday's game against Arsenal is obviously "going to be tough", because the Gunners are a "big team", and Watford must go to the Emirates in order to cause the upset.
Nevertheless, the defender suggests that the squad have worked "very hard" and prepared "during the week" in order to be ready. Now it remains to be seen whether the Hornets can go one better and book their place at Wembley.