Watford defender Kiko Femenia says that Nigel Pearson’s arrival has brought “extra confidence” to the side that they can avoid relegation from the Premier League.

The Hornets sat rock bottom when Pearson took over from Quique Sanchez Flores but have now given themselves a much greater chance of staying up, sitting outside the relegation zone on goal difference.

When asked if there had been a revival since his appointment, Femenia said: “Yes I think so. The results prove it. He has given this extra confidence to the group. He has helped us believe in ourselves and in our teammates. We have played some very good matches since he arrived.

“He has instilled new ideas and we have adapted well to them. Now we have that extra confidence we needed. I think at that time very few people believed in us but now it’s just down to us – we have nine games to finish off the season and reach our objective which is staying in the Premier League.”

The next hurdle the Hornets need to overcome is Pearson’s old side Leicester City, who visit Vicarage Road this weekend.

The Foxes are currently third in the table and come into the game off the back of a thumping 4-0 win against Aston Villa, another of the relegation-threatened sides, signalling how tall an order it will be for Watford.

“We know that we’re up against a very good team,” Femenia said. “They have had a spectacular season so far. They scored four goals against Aston Villa the other day. We know it will be very difficult but we play at home with our fans.

“We have to go out with the same mentality as we did when we faced Liverpool. The same ambition. Believing we can the game from the first minute. We must be 100 per cent focussed for a possible 94 minutes and visualise the victory.”

Indeed, that marvellous victory against Liverpool has acted as a huge confidence booster going into the final run of games, and the Spaniard says it has given the side the belief that they can beat any team in this league.

He said: “Obviously winning against a team like that gives you a lot of confidence and motivation ahead of the next games. This game gave us a lot of confidence, we know that we can beat any team and particularly at our ground with our fans.

“Yes it has given us a lot of motivation. We have beaten the best team in the Premier League. We know it won’t be easy – no team will make it easy for us. Every opponent is difficult no matter where they are in the table – in the middle, at the bottom.

“No team is giving points away – they are all picking them up. We have to carry on, look forward and believe in ourselves.”