"IT'S great to be back" said the winger in an exclusive interview with www.watfordfc.com as he filled us in on his thoughts ahead of the new season.

"I'm raring to go and I think everyone has come back in good shape and the boys are looking good.

"Obviously going back to training has been a bit tough physically but at the same time enjoyable - you come in and everyone's got a smile on their face.

"The first week was all about getting the fitness levels up and right, a bit of testing to make sure everyone's in good nick and so far so good on that front.

"And last week we kicked on and put things into place for the new season."

McAnuff revealed he was very pleased to have Malky at the helm as he holds the Scotsman responsible for getting him back in the team last November.

"I was very pleased when I heard about Malky - I thought he did a great job when he came in before and for me personally it was great, because I managed to get back into the team and that's when I feel my place in the team was cemented.

"I think the whole team really responded to him back then, when we had a tough run of games which we came through quite well.

"I think at the time we all thought he was a bit unlucky not to get the job the first time round, but now he's got his chance and everyone's happy about it."

"Everyone's happy about Malky's appointment"

In addition, McAnuff considers the appointment of Sean Dyche to the coaching staff as an added bonus.

"It's good to have people on the staff here who have only recently stopped playing" he said.

"They have got a good idea of what we want as players and are used to the day in, day out rigors of being a footballer.

"From that point of view it's a great to have Dychey on the staff and to have someone who we can give our feedback to and know that it's going to get back to Malky.

"It's great to have David Kerslake come into the mix too.

"He's made it clear that he places a big emphasis on the passing side of the game and the passing quality of our football which is something we adopted in the second part of last season.

"It's obviously going to be a big part of how we play this year so hopefully that continues and he will be on at us to make sure it does."

The former Palace player is positive about the future as he looks towards another successful season with the Hornets in 2009/10.

McAnuff: "I'm raring to go this season"

"I think our results at the back end of last season just go to show what we can achieve if we put our heads down, get on with it and everyone's on the right page.

"There's no doubt in our minds that we can go out there and be competitive this season."

And McAnuff can't wait to get on the plane to Spain as the Hornets head for the sunnier climes of Barcelona.

"I've been to Spain before with Wimbledon and really enjoyed it.

"Of course the main reason for going is training camp but at the same time you don't want to be a million miles away from civilisation so I think that's a key factor in where we're going this year.

"In your down time while we're there you want somewhere you can just relax and chill out so it will be a good trip.

"It will be great for the new lads as well, a great time for them to integrate themselves into the squad and get to know everyone properly so I'm definitely looking forward to it."

Entering into his third season as a Hornet, McAnuff feels it's his responsibility to make the newcomers feel welcome.

"Helping the younger ones and the new players settle in is something I enjoy doing.

"I was very fortunate when I was at Wimbledon that they had a couple of really good senior players that helped me through so it's something that for me comes naturally and I'm very happy to do it."

"Both Danny Graham and Scott Severin are very good signings for Watford.

"Scott will bring experience to us and that's something I think we do need as we have a young squad.

"Danny is a little younger and he's had a good goal-scoring record in the last couple of years so hopefully he'll bring that to us now.

"He's showed what he can do in the pre-season matches, so it all looks good!"