Mark Robins has told Huddersfield Town to expect one of their toughest tests of the Championship campaign so far when Watford visit the John Smith’s Stadium this afternoon.

But Hornets boss Gianfranco Zola was quick to warn his players that it won’t be plain sailing in West Yorkshire as they aim to bounce back from Tuesday’s 1-0 defeat at Blackburn.

Robins’ side drew 1-1 at Middlesbrough the same night to make it five league games unbeaten since the last international break, and Robins is desperate to go into the next on the back of a victory.

“I’m expecting a big effort from the players and staff, and hopefully the supporters will get behind us as well,” said the manager, whose side are ninth, two places below their visitors.

“Performance is key, because if you get that right, the results usually follow, and this is a game we’re all really looking forward to.

“Gianfranco has done a really good job there, he has built a team which is different to others in the division in terms of personnel and tactics, and they can hurt you in many areas of the pitch.

“We’ll need to be right at it, but if you can’t raise yourself for a match like this, then something is very wrong.”

The clash gives midfielder Jonathan Hogg the chance to face his former club, and Zola said: “It will be a pleasure to see him again and shake his hand. He was always a pleasure to work with and I hope he has a successful career at Huddersfield.”

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The former Chelsea star and West Ham manager enjoyed two victories over Town last season as Watford made the play-off final.

But he added: “It will be a tight match. They have not lost at home in the league all season so there is no doubt that it will be a tough game. They are solid but they can also be dangerous going forward so we have to play well because they won’t give anything away.”