Watford boss Nigel Pearson insists his squad have not lost any of the fighting spirit that could keep them in the Premier League during lockdown.
The Hornets are back in action this weekend for the first time in over 100 days against Leicester City at Vicarage Road as football returns from its coronavirus-enforced hiatus.
Before the suspension of the Premier League, Watford had been clawing their way to safety under Pearson, beating Liverpool 3-0 in their last home match.
On that night the team had been roared on by a vocal home support, but that will no longer be the case with games now taking place behind closed doors.
Pearson, however, believes his side can draw upon their own team spirit as they look to keep themselves out of the relegation places with nine games to go.
“It is going to be difficult without our fans to rekindle the atmosphere,” said Pearson. “We can’t rekindle that atmosphere, but I don’t think we have lost anything from being away.
“We have kept in contact with each other player-wise. Staff have kept in contact.
“We have had a really good network of support for the players, which has been very important, and likewise for the staff.
“I think collectively this has helped the atmosphere that we have created around the work environment.
“I think we get the balance right between having a bit of fun and working very hard, and making sure people fully understand what is expected of them.”
