Watford v West Brom preview: Ryan Mason only interested in Albion writing a new story

Albion's last triumph at the home of the Hornets came way back in 2007 and there have been seven meetings since, in both the Championship and the Premier League, where victories have evaded the visitors.

But ahead of Wednesday night's clash in Hertfordshire boss Ryan Mason stressed his Baggies side are working to write their own story and create new narratives.

Mason's troops will be backed by around 1,500 travelling supporters at Vicarage Road as the visitors look to build on what has been an impressive start to the second tier season on their travels - albeit the most recent away trip brought a miserable 3-0 defeat in the capital at Millwall.

"Personally, I may be wrong, but I don't believe any one of our fans sits there and says  'oh no we lost against Watford before - I'm not going to go and support the team!'" Mason said when asked about recent struggles in Watford.

"I think our support has been incredible this season. It always is. Away from home we feel their support. They help us in every match.

"I think sometimes you can use history in a good way, with the DNA of a football club and a connection with the fans, but we're on our own journey."

Mason added: "Last season was so different to what this season's going to be in terms of what we want, what we expect from the players and what we want the team to look like.

"So that's a challenge - to just focus on our journey, the moment we're in now and try and be as good as possible."

Mason will share the dugout with opposite number Javi Gracia - the Spaniard back in the Vicarage Road home technical area for the first time in more than six years.

Gracia re-entered the revolving Watford managerial door earlier this month after the sacking of Uruguayan Paulo Pezzolano, who managed just 10 games at the helm.

Pezzolano was Watford's 12th boss since Gracia's initial sacking in September 2019 but having conducted a squad overhaul during the summer the former was dismissed despite two wins in an unbeaten run of three.

Gracia - popular with Hornets fans after leading the side to the FA Cup final in 2019 - started with a 1-0 defeat at Sheffield United on Saturday but makes his home return against the Baggies.

Mason wants Albion to feed of any extra energy in the stadium.

"We know Watford have got some individuals that are really good," said the Baggies boss. "I think a lot of our away games this season have had an added element to the game.

"We played Stoke when they were top, we played Boro when they were top, it was Wrexham's first home game at this level.

"On Wednesday we play against a team with a new manager in his first home game. So there's going to be added energy inside the stadium.

"I think for us it's important for us to try and use that from our benefit and use it to give us energy and to try to put ourselves in the game as much as possible and as early as possible as well."