Nigel Pearson is hoping to learn more about his squad, while also progressing to the next round of the FA Cup in Watford's replay away at Tranmere Rovers tomorrow.

The Hornets were pegged back at the first time of asking, depsite leading by three goals and now they face a Tuesday night trip to Birkenhead to settle the third round tie.

Head coach Nigel Pearson admits his side should have seen the first game game out, but said he learnt a lot about some of the fringe members of his squad and he is hoping tomorrow evening will be a chance to do that again, as he prepares to make changes to his starting 11.

"For us it’s our next game, we want to win it and we had the opportunity to do that at home and didn’t see the job through," he said.

"But of course, one of the benefits of that day is that we learned more about our players and it’s unfortunate that we were unable to finish the job off first time around. We give them [Tranmere] credit because they showed a lot of spirit in the second half and again, it’s an opportunity for both sides to progress. For sure, I’m going to make sure that the team that’s out there is done with the view to the first-team squad players who are playing to get some pitch exposure, which clearly, a number of our players have been very limited with the game time that they’ve had this season. It’ll be useful for them and if younger players get an opportunity, then good for them as well."

After guiding Watford out of the relegation zone with his fourth win from seven games in all competitions on Sunday, questions of Pearson's approach are being asked, with everyone keen to understand how he has managed to reverse the fortunes of a side who were seemingly destined for relegation.

However, Pearson suggests all he is doing is demanding more from his players, which he will do again tomorrow, as he looks to provide people who are not first-team regulars with a platform to show off their talents.

"We are as a staff putting demands on players to play their role within the team," he said.

"It’s been difficult for the players this season because after last year’s relative successes, they’re probably wondering why everything’s changed and they’ve been unlucky at times and not been able to hit the levels of performance.

"I’ve already spoken about what’s really important is that the team functions as efficiently as possible and our team ethic when we’re on the pitch is the most important thing because what that will always do is allow one or two players who are not quite at their best to still function and still contribute to the team and that’s the most important thing. 

"I suppose what we’ve got to look at is trying to make sure that all the players contribute and going back to tomorrow’s game, it's important that the players who do play, utilise their opportunity to show what they’re capable of because we’re going to need everybody."