AS the Championship promotion race intensifies by the week and teams swap places in the top six, Aidy Boothroyd has confirmed that he believes the destiny of the Hornets is in their own hands.

The last match in March against fellow promotion hopefuls Hull City at the KC Stadium builds up to a huge month for the club in April. Boothroyd and his side face four games at home and an away clash at the Hawthorns - before ending the campaign with a visit to Blackpool.  

This weekend marks the third anniversary since the Yorkshire man took over at Vicarage Road. Plenty has happened since then with raised expectations around Hertfordshire since the Hornets triumphed in May 2006 at Cardiff.

Now the club are battling with a host of others for another shot at the top flight. The Golden Boys sit in fourth position, one place behind the Tigers with just goal difference separating the two.

Boothroyd will be without midfield man John Eustace - currently serving an extended ban after being sent off against his former employers Stoke City. The midfield duo of Damien Francis and Gareth Williams are still missing with their respective knee injuries while, tellingly, the Hornets will be without the force of Darius Henderson in attack - again due to suspension.  

It's certainly a blow losing two key team members, but it's at time likes these that strength in depth comes into play, hopefully this will be illustrated by their replacements.

Boothroyd explained why he didn't dip into the loan market, saying: "I think we've got enough players and quality to get over the line.

"There's no point bringing in the likes of Collins John and Nathan Ellington if we're not going to play them. Bringing new players in can sometimes give you that little extra boost but we're just that little tweak away from being a successful team.

"Steve Kabba, Nathan and Collins all deserve a little go because they've kept their heads and have been very professional in training and they're waiting for their chances. I've got a few decisions to make, we're not struggling - the whole point of having a good squad is so that you can put people in when these types of thing happen."

The Tigers are finding form at the right moment and appear to be picking up momentum at a crucial period. A solid home record awaits the Golden Boys - in fact it is equal in every manner to that of Bristol City and Stoke. However the 'Orns have been impressive away from the Vic and are undefeated since visiting Preston in mid January.

They have kept three consecutive clean sheets, including sticking five past Southampton at the KC.

Boothroyd believes tomorrow will be another demanding test. "They're the form team at the moment, we've lost a couple of players through suspension but I'm quite looking forward to this one.

"They've got some good players, they've have a great mixture of experience, nous and pace in their side. But they also have some solidity as well, it's going to be an interesting game."

With a game in hand on the three teams above, the Golden Boys' destiny is in their own hands according to the manager. 

"It's going to be about the team and the club that have no fear - the ones who just go for it. That's something that we intend to do. We've got four home games coming up - it's up to us, it's in our hands."

The international representatives in the camp returned to London Colney fit after duty, with Mart Poom away with Estonia, Jay DeMerit with America in Poland and John-Joe O'Toole with the Irish under 21s.

O'Toole's rise to the first team and international stage has been nothing short of remarkable. He hasn't looked back since joining up with the squad on their pre-season tour of Germany in July.

Boothroyd said: "He's been the surprise package for all of us and kept people like Lee Williamson and Al Bangura out of the team. As long as he maintains what he's been doing he's got a great chance of starting."

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