They have had two full weeks to work on their shortcomings with defensive organisation remaining a priority, with Michael Svensson's injury problems casting a shadow over a defence as brittle as his knee.
Despite Watford's current poor run, they are something of a bogey side for the club, having won the last five games in a row against us. They share similarities with our club having been forced to sell off their better players and are going through a period of transition.
The reason for their impressive record against us is a well organised and direct approach, masterminded by their young manager Aidy Boothroyd, which Saints have been unable to cope with in recent years.
Saints' still lack organisation and physical presence at the back, factors that Watford will be looking to exploit as Coventry did so comprehensively in our last runout.
It will be a true test of how well suited our youngsters are to the rigours of Championship football. Come through it and the confidence and maybe even the crowds will start to return. Fail and it could be a long season ahead.