Scott Loach is hoping Watford continue to build on an encouraging first third of the season and ensure this Christmas is more enjoyable than the one players and fans alike experienced 12 months ago.

The Hornets were 19th in the Championship table on December 25, 2008 after taking 26 points from 24 league games. But that tally will be surpassed tomorrow – and from seven fewer matches – if Malky Mackay's side can carry on from where they left off before the international break against Preston North End by beating Scunthorpe United.

While it is looking increasingly likely that Watford will be in a far healthier league position when the festive season arrives than a year previously, their current number one believes their Championship status could even effectively be secured by the end of the year.

"I think last year we had 30 points after 30 games and we don't want that again," Loach told the Watford Observer after keeping a clean sheet in England Under-21's 1-0 victory over Portugal at Wembley Stadium on Saturday.

"I don't think we were really safe until the second to last game of the season. For me it was horrible going into each game thinking 'we need to win this'.

"If we can get that barrier cleared by Christmas and think 'right, we're safe' anything we achieve from there is a bonus."

Such has been Watford's progress this season, Loach is aware that expectations are rising among some fans, but he is also prepared to take the flak when results don't go as hoped.

"There's always going to be a few blips, we're a young team and people have got to be realise we've got seven lads under the age of 22," explained Loach, who won his tenth Under-21 cap against Portugal.

"People were writing us off at the start of the season and now people are saying 'hang on a minute, they could be in the play-offs'.

"We're on 24 points already and ask any Watford fan, they would have taken that with the squad at the start of the season. Because we have been doing so well people expect more now but we'll take that, we'll take the fans moaning when we lose – we've got to expect it some times with the age of the squad – but I'm sure that come the end of the season we'll be there or thereabouts."

Of those players under 22, Loach was joined by Tom Cleverley and Henri Lansbury in the England squad for the Euro 2011 qualifiers against Portugal and Lithuania. But the Vicarage Road playing connections didn't end there because former loanees Danny Rose, who scored Saturday's winner, and Jack Cork were also called up by Stuart Pearce.

"I think it shows Watford is a great club and is willing to give youngsters a try," remarked the 21-year-old of the fact that five players who have worn a yellow shirt this year are currently involved in the national set-up. "And not only giving them a try, but producing them at the same time. Personally, I'm only getting better and better under Malky."

Loach said his international experiences have "brought me on leaps and bounds really", adding: "Playing in front of 33,000, it's the biggest crowd I've played in front of, but obviously I want to get promoted with Watford and play in the Premiership in front of 50,000 week in, week out, so it's another step up.

"I'll be able to go back to Watford feeling bigger and stronger about myself, I'm sure 'Clevs' and Henri will as well, and with that experience – and the likes of Craig Cathcart with Northern Ireland as well – we can bring that into the Watford side."