THERE was cautious optimism in the Fanzone and pre-match betting was delayed as usual as no-one can predict who is playing these days until the team is announced. What odds would you get on an unchanged team?

Young Joe Mason was welcomed back in the hope he would do better with some support up front, instead of struggling on his own.

And how our hopes were fulfilled – Lukas Jutkiewicz and Mason ran Watford ragged.

For once, we were an attacking force who gave the opposition lots to worry about.

Everyone played their part, not least Bogdan with two brilliant saves in the first half.

Since David Wheater’s return, the whole defence is beginning to play with authority.

Medo and Jay Spearing did not take any prisoners in midfield and Mark Davies was back to his enigmatic best, going past players for fun.

Once we got two up, there was no way we were going to give it away against a team who had not lost in five matches.

This performance has been coming, and I believe the signs were there last week at Millwall despite grumpy old Ian Holloway’s comments.

Leaders are beginning to emerge on the pitch; Wheater at the back and Jutkiewicz up front.

Confidence is rising, on and off the pitch.

One win does not cure everything and there will be many battles ahead, not least Blackburn next week.

The bottom three all won this week.

But the smiles returned to the Reebok, where the boo-boys were forced to have a day off.

It was not quite rocking but we are on the march with Dougie’s army. The tide is beginning to turn.