After his warts-and-all post-match reflections on Saturday at Kenilworth Road following derby day defeat, Chris Wilder continues to empathise with how Watford fans will be feeling on this Monday afternoon – but is keen that all thoughts now turn to unified action ahead of the Easter weekend’s fixture double-bill.

The Golden Boys first host Huddersfield Town on Good Friday (April 7, 3pm KO) before a trip to face Coventry City on Easter Monday (April 10, 3pm KO) – now knowing that results elsewhere have conspired to offer a play-offs lifeline.

Aware of the broadly positive response among supporters to what he said, Hornets’ boss Wilder is determined to harness those sentiments in a bid to force Watford into the play-offs picture; knowing that, initially, only two Easter weekend wins will give his side any realistic hope of making the top six come season’s end.

Wilder declares: “I’ve had my say about the weekend and I’m sure fans have had their say too. It’s done now – and it’s in no one’s interest to keep raking over it so let’s get on with this week and set about making sure we’re firing on all cylinders come three o’clock this Friday.

“I thought long and hard about everything I said on Saturday. I wanted the supporters to understand we knew we’d let them down and I wanted the players to understand that they now have the responsibility to produce a big reaction that lasts not just for 30 minutes or so but for the seven lots of 90 minutes ahead of us.

“I’ve always been a very positive guy in my outlook on everything to do with being a football manager and that sure as hell isn’t going to change now.”

So to the challenges as he sees them…

“First off, it’s OUR challenge – not his challenge, her challenge, their challenge. It’s our challenge – a challenge we can all share in, for everyone with a piece of themselves connected to Watford Football Club in any way.

“For myself and my coaching staff: what can we do better to ensure we give the squad the information and inspiration to be successful?

“For the players: what can they find from within themselves to give the supporters a 90-minute performance to be proud of, not just the odd moments of hope that fade away?

“For the supporters: what can they do to ensure the team has the fullest possible backing for the whole 90 minutes of every game between now and May the 8th?

“All of those challenges apply to more than just matchday; more than just that 90 minutes. They start as we kick off a new week. Today. Right now, really.

“Believe it or not, it’s still there for us. We’ve got an opportunity – and while that’s the case, we’ve got to keep working to keep that chance alive.”

And a final reflection before a week’s training ahead of Good Friday at The Vic:

“I said it Saturday and I’ll say it again now on Monday: there’s a lot of great things here at this football club. It’s not going to take moving heaven & earth to get it back on track moving in the right direction. But whatever those changes are, everyone will need to share in that responsibility. Why? So then it’s something everyone can be proud of.”