WHILE the victory over Gillingham ensured Watford's form at Vicarage Road continued on an upward curve, the Hornets now face the prospect of a month without a home game as they embark on their toughest sequence of away matches this season.

Including last month's Wigan match, Watford face the Championship's three leading sides in consecutive away trips, ironically having played the Latics, Sunderland and Ipswich in the same order at Vicarage Road earlier in the campaign.

Then, Ray Lewington's men had to be content with three draws, but following their morale-boosting point at the JJB Stadium the manager is approaching the games - starting with Sunderland tomorrow (Saturday) in positive mood.

"Starting with Wigan, it is a spell of unbelievable away games, the reverse from earlier in the season," said the manager. "It was a great point at Wigan. They are fantastically difficult games but we can take a lot of heart from Wigan and go into Sunderland feeling nice and positive. As I've said before, we never go anywhere thinking we haven't got a chance."

Lewington believes the Black Cats are a reflection of their boss Mick McCarthy and said: "Mick's sides are always the same. They're hard working, they're very well organised. They sort of mirror what Mick is. He was a hard, uncompromising player when he played and his team's are like that. You always get a hard game against them.

"They're very good at the back. They don't give too much away and really do defend as a team but we've got enough in us to go there and get something out of it."

Previously, the manager commented: "I think they are a good, solid side. I don't think they are a team of outstanding individuals but they work hard and have the benefit of a big crowd behind them."