Mavididi's goal, his first for the Hornets, just seconds into the second half was the difference on Tuesday night as Watford emerged as 1-0 victors at home to Lincoln City.

The performance was far from easy on the eye, but that was not what mattered this time. Emerging from the battle with three points, as the team did, was what was needed, by any means necessary.

Doing so propelled the Hornets four points clear of the relegation zone, following Burnley's draw at QPR, as Alessio Dionisi's side climbed to 20th.

Speaking after the game, match-winner Mavididi insisted it was up to the players to put things right amid "outside noise".

“Yeah, 100 per cent [it was just about getting the win]," he insisted. "We’re happy for the three points. We knew it wasn’t going to be the prettiest of games, but we stuck together and showed resilience and personality, and we’re happy with the victory.

“There’s been a lot of outside noise, but us, internally, we said that only us players can change our situation, so we had to put in a professional performance, a performance worthy of winning, and that was what we did today.”

Mavididi agreed that the squad were grateful for the opportunity to put things right, but insisted that they want to build on the win.

“Yeah, 100 per cent [it was good to be able to put things right]," he said, "Because you go through difficult times in life, and we’re humans at the end of the day. 

“But as I said, we’re all counting on each other, and that’s what we did tonight, and it showed with the three points. 

“Now we’ve just got to continue working, staying together, being humble and working every day to build on this performance.”

Tuesday's game felt especially crucial after Saturday's collapse at Carrow Road, with a response needed after such a dismal outcome in Norfolk.

“Games like Saturday can happen. When they do happen, we’re obviously disappointed.

“But the beauty of football is you always have the next game. That was one of our main messages today, to make things right.

“That’s what we did with our performance, so hopefully we can build on it.”

Building on it will not be easy, as Watford face Championship leaders Middlesbrough on Saturday, but another game at Vicarage Road will be a welcome opportunity nonetheless.