Win over Luton 'massive' - Abankwah

James Abankwah (right) joined Watford from Udinese in January

Watford defender James Abankwah hailed their three points against Luton at Vicarage Road as "massive" following five successive home defeats.

The 21-year-old kept his place alongside Kevin Keben at the heart of the Hornets' defence, although both had to go off in the second half, as they kept their eighth clean sheet of the season.

"It was important for the team and the fans to get this win. Once we got the first goal it settled us down and we then pushed on to get the second goal and after that everyone was a bit more relaxed and calm," the Dubliner told BBC Three Counties Radio.

"I thought me and Kevin did quite well in the last game and but Mattie (Pollock) is also a very good player as well and today when he was called upon (as a substitute), he was brilliant.

"We've got plenty of cover and it's good to have that competitiveness around that centre-back position and we just push each other each day in training to get the best out of each other."

Watford are ninth in the table ahead of Saturday's trip to Stoke City, but Abankwah added: "We're not thinking too far ahead - just take it game by game and keep doing our best."