Elliot: “The Squad Here Is Unbelievable”

Goalkeeper Rob Elliot says he jumped at the chance to join the promotion-chasing Golden Boys and believes he can use his experience of winning the Championship to good effect at Vicarage Road.

Elliot, 34, signed a short-term deal with the Hornets this week to provide back-up and competition to Ben Foster and Daniel Bachmann. The Republic of Ireland international had been without a club since leaving Newcastle United in the summer and had been training with Charlton Athletic in a bid to keep himself fit and sharp following appendix surgery in September.

“When a club like this come knocking it's brilliant,” said Elliot. “Andy Marshall at Charlton had me in training and keeping me fit, which was great, but when this came up it was a no-brainer. They are near the top of the Championship and are a big club looking to get back to the Premier League. It's been really good so far. I couldn't have asked for more. Everyone has been so welcoming, the facilities are first class. I've played against a lot of them before and there seems a great atmosphere in the dressing room. The team is going well so that helps. Hopefully we can keep it going and push on.”

Elliot won the league with Newcastle in 2016/17 and can therefore pass on what it takes for a relegated club to bounce straight back to the top flight.

“It's about staying calm,” he said. “You are going to lose games. You don't want to but you will do. It's about staying calm, staying together and looking at the bigger picture. Emotions run high and you've got to keep control of them and channel them in the right way. We only got promoted [with Newcastle] in May so you have to stick at it and know that you've got the quality when other teams get tired and you've got extra quality to get you through. The squad here is unbelievable. You couldn't ask for a better pool of players to choose from, especially when the games come thick and fast.”

Elliot should be on the bench against Queens Park Rangers on Monday night to provide cover for Bachmann, who is in fine form having conceded one goal in four Championship games. Foster is working his way back from a finger injury while Under-23 goalkeepers Adam Parkes and Dante Baptiste have been a regular part of the matchday squad this year.

“Ben has done everything in the game and is a top goalie,” said Elliot, who has made 52 Premier League appearances. “I've played against him a few times and he welcomed me straight away. Dan has been fantastic and then you've got the two young lads in Parksey and Dante. It's a great bunch of lads to come in to. It's your responsibility as an older pro to help the younger lads and they seem really talented. I want to come in and show what I can do. The competition is brilliant and keeps everyone on their toes. Hopefully I can do my part to get us back to the Premier League.”

Head Coach Xisco Muñoz made sure Elliot got straight into the thick of things by insisting on his initiation song on the training field. Elliot went for The Kooks' Naive.

“It's my go-to song,” he said. “I chucked in a few moves so the lads didn't really hear [me sing]. It breaks the ice straight away and the lads were good in the circle and got the clapping going. It was nice to get it out the way and break the ice. The first thing the lads said was they all really like the manager. He's fantastic around the place, is a big personality and seems a really good guy. The lads have responded to him and the results reflect that. I hope that continues.”