Chris Wilder is hopeful his side can earn a positive result against a competitive Bristol City outfit at Vicarage Road this Saturday (April 15, 3pm KO), with the Watford boss looking to build upon a point against Coventry City last time out.

Reflecting on the trip to the CBS Arena on Easter Monday (April 10), Wilder felt he saw an improved performance during the 2-2 draw compared to previous displays.

The 55-year-old acknowledged that elements exhibited during the match, alongside consistency, will be important to rising to the challenge of concluding the campaign in the best way possible.

“It was mixed emotions because the fundamental aspects that we needed to compete at that level – running around a little bit more and winning a few more duels – that allowed us to play in the way which we did against Coventry City,” Wilder began.

“To get into those positions at the end of the season, you need consistency and we haven’t found that in our performances or results. Getting that is key, and we need to take it a game at a time because mathematically we are still in with a chance [of the play-offs], but I’ve told the players to forget about looking at the table.

“We have to meet the next challenge head-on. We produced a performance for long periods of the game against Coventry City, which is always a difficult place to go, but we didn’t get the result.

“We were in a great position, and unfortunately we couldn’t see it out. There are some things to work on, and we’re positive heading into the game on Saturday.

“If we can stick together against the talented side that Nigel Pearson has got in Bristol City, then hopefully we can stick a decent performance together and match that with a result.”

Wilder provided an update on the squad’s fitness, with the boss speaking on forward duo Keinan Davis and Britt Assombalonga, the latter of whom was forced off in the early stages against Coventry after a bright start.

“The disappointing one for us is Britt Assombalonga,” he continued. “Britt deserved his place in the starting line-up and he started the game on the front foot.

“He was involved in the first goal and it was really disappointing for him because he put himself physically in the position to start the game. Unfortunately, he has picked up an injury. It’s not as bad as we first thought, so hopefully we can get him back as quickly as possible.

“Keinan Davis will be back. It’s been disappointing to have missed Keinan for the last couple of games. He was scoring and giving us something at the top of pitch; strength and pace down the sides as well, and he has scored a couple of great goals at The Vic. He was coming into form so to lose him was disappointing, but to have him back is good for us.”

Stocksbridge native Wilder will also reunite with a familiar face in Bristol City manager Nigel Pearson this weekend, someone who he knows very well.

“Nigel is my neighbour actually,” Wilder explained. “He lives about 500 yards away from my house in Sheffield, so I know a lot about Nigel.

“Our paths have crossed many a time and I like him. He is a good guy and a good football guy. He has had a successful career as a manager. He wants to come back and get a result. I know he enjoyed his time here [at Watford], and I’m sure we will have a beer afterwards.

“Bristol City are a young side and another team who have found that consistency hard to get. They have had some really good results and you know what you will get with Nigel and I like it that way.

“We have come off the back of a disappointing result [against Huddersfield Town], so we have to reset and try to win back the faith and belief of the supporters by showing what we showed on Monday [against Coventry City]. We have to show a front foot, positive performance and hopefully we will see that.”