Play-offs realistic if Watford can improve away form

Watford's promotion prospects will improve if they can keep hold of Giorgi Chakvetadze in January

We are going to know more about Watford‘s promotion credentials in the next couple of weeks.

The Hornets have successive away games at Swansea and Hull coming up and if they can produce results there, they are in a decent position in the lead-up to the busy Christmas and New Year period.

Watford‘s home form this season has been sensational. Tom Cleverley's side have the second best record in the Championship, bettered only by Sheffield United, and they remain unbeaten with seven wins out of nine.

That’s the reason they sit sixth in the table but to remain in the promotion picture, the away form still needs improving.

It has got better in recent games at Plymouth, Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds and it’s that type of form required rather than some of the stuff Watford produced on their travels earlier in the season.

The club's promotion ambition will be evident in the January transfer window.

Watford need another striker and probably a midfielder, but their biggest victory will be keeping hold of star midfielder Giorgi Chakvetadze.

He’s top of the charts in terms of creating chances in open play, progressions and carries and Watford must keep him if they are to mount a serious challenge for promotion back to the top flight.

Automatic promotion looks out of their reach but the play-offs are certainly not.

Commentary of Cardiff v Watford on 103.8FM Saturday at 15:00 GMT.