Daniel Tozser believes Watford should play their own game and not be fearful of Chelsea when they travel to Stamford Bridge in the third round of the FA Cup.

Although the Hornets midfielder feels the Blues’ 5-3 defeat against Tottenham Hotspur is of little significance, he does think the Hornets can take a leaf out of Spurs’ book as they bid to cause an upset at the home of the Premier League leaders.

“Chelsea is one of the best teams in Europe but we have our ambitions and we want to play a good game against them,” Tozser said yesterday. “I think we can make a nice game.

“I think the main thing is to play our game and not to be afraid [because] we’re playing with Chelsea. Tottenham did very well yesterday (Thursday), they were in a really offensive mood against them and if we also [have a] go, let’s see who can make more goals.

“Of course in the offensive part, everywhere they have quality players and fantastic selections and it doesn’t matter which player is playing. But maybe with our offensive players we can cause some trouble to the defensive part of Chelsea. We will see. It will be a game we can enjoy and it will be nice to start the year with a game like this.”

Asked about the significance of the Tottenham result, the 29-year-old responded: “It’s nothing to do with their last game. They have fantastic selections and if you’re the manager of them, you can choose to pick another 11 players who can fight for the Premier League title. There’s nothing to think about the Tottenham game, they’re professional and they know they’re still in the best position in the Premier League.”

“I think the main thing is to dare to play and to show our qualities,” Tozser continued. “If we will start to defend and drop back they have the qualities to kill us, I think everybody knows this.

“Of course our manager will decide how we’re going to play, which system, which formation, what tactics, but I think the main thing is to play forward, do what we want. If we attack, everybody has to go after the ball. It is not an easy thing of course and then we have space behind, but let’s play a game and we will see who is better with the ball.”

Whether they will line up against each other tomorrow remains to be seen, but Tozser could find himself facing a “very good friend”.

The Hungarian international has remained close to Thibaut Courtois since he played alongside the Chelsea goalkeeper at Genk. And the esteem with which Tozser holds the Belgian, both personally and as a player, is very high.

He recalled affectionately: “We are still smiling about this when we are talking; I told him when we played together in Belgium that we will be very proud one day because he was our teammate. And I told him you will play a Champions League final in five years.

“Then with Atletico Madrid he went into the final [last season], I was at Stamford (Bridge) after he fixed the tickets, and he said to me I think it was after three years.

“He’s a fantastic guy and as a player, I think he’s one of the best in the world and he’s just 22. What he’s won until now is just funny.”

Asked what the goalkeeper is so good at such a young age, Tozser responded: “He’s a natural. He’s really tall and he can really jump high. It may be due to genetics because of his parents and his brother also plays volleyball, so maybe it’s something to do with this but the rest is just pure talent and of course a lot of hard work.

“But I remember when he made his debut in Belgium, he was 16 and he was so good in that game already. He was nervous and he was vomiting after the end of the game but he gave a perfect game for us. He was one of the main reasons why we won the championship that year.”

Watford reported no fresh injury concerns for the tie yesterday. Gabriel Tamas (ACL) and Joel Ekstrand (back) remain out, while Sebastien Bassong is ineligible under the terms of his loan move from Norwich City.