Now, more than ever, Watford needed a response. A game at home to newly-promoted Lincoln, days after the Hornets’ monumental collapse at Carrow Road, felt like a must-win.

And the stakes could not have been higher. Pressure has been mounting on head coach Alessio Dionisi, and a defeat could have plummeted the Hornets back into the relegation zone, depending on results elsewhere.

The Italian head coach was under no illusions that change was needed after his side gave up a two-goal lead in a matter of minutes against Norwich on Saturday, and opted for a change of shape on Tuesday, reverting back to a 4-2-3-1 shape.

Many supporters had been crying out for the return of a system with wingers, and it felt like now or never for it to work, at least under Dionisi.

A familiar tale began to unfold early on as Watford absorbed wave after wave of pressure from the visitors while looking to utilise breaks.

It is a game plan that has had varying success for Watford. Against Charlton and in the first half at Carrow Road, it has worked to great effect. In other instances, it has proved costly.

But, with wingers reintroduced, the Hornets were finding far more joy at the other end, and despite a goalless first half, were firmly in the game, not just surviving it.

With memories of the Carrow Road collapse still firmly at the forefront of everybody’s mind, the reaction at the start of the second half was going to be key, with the first goal, like usual, crucial.

The start of the second half was as close to perfect as anybody could have hoped, as a deflected Stephy Mavididi effort fired Watford ahead in the 46th minute.

It was a pivotal moment. The elation and relief was abundant in equal measure, but there was still a big task at hand.

Lincoln had been no passengers up to that point, and scoring so early, for some teams, could scupper their plans for the half.

That was not the case for Watford, who defended with everything they had to see out the three points.

Was it pretty? No, but the Hornets may not get a more important win than that all season, and getting over the line was far more important than any plaudits for an easy-on-the-eye performance.

At one point in the first half, the Hornets had sunk into the relegation zone. By full-time, Dionisi was embracing his coaching team as Watford climbed to 20th, four points clear of the drop zone.

The big tests keep coming for Watford, who have just four days until they host Championship leaders Middlesbrough in another crucial, though far more demanding, encounter.