Head Coach Valérien Ismaël insists he and his side are fit and raring to go ahead of Saturday’s Sky Bet Championship curtain-raiser at home to Queens Park Rangers (Saturday August 5, 3pm KO).
After seven gruelling weeks of pre-season training - and nearly three months on from Ismaël’s arrival in Hertfordshire - the Hornets are now just hours away from the start of another second-tier campaign, in which they will be looking to build on an 11th-place finish last time out, and ultimately earn promotion back to the Premier League.
The former Bayern Munich defender has used the summer to implement a new style of play at the London Colney training ground, and he is confident that his players are ready to execute his ideas against QPR in front of the Vicarage Road crowd.
“We feel good, and we feel ready,” Ismaël said. “It’s been a long process, but that’s been necessary to change the mindset and attitude of the players, and I think that’s the first thing we did.
“The second was to implement the way to play, with intensity in the training sessions. We as coaches needed to implement our principles, and the players needed time to get an understanding of what we expected from them, and the results have been very good.
“I think coming in so early in the summer was a big advantage in helping us get to where we are. It meant I could first assess the situation of the club, get to know the people working here, and get myself settled. Then I could have time with the players, get to know them and introduce what we wanted to do.
“We’ve seen a consistent improvement throughout the matches we’ve played in pre-season. We’ve played some great football in the games, and I’ve been impressed with our work out of possession as well, so overall we’re pleased. It’s now just about translating that to the Championship.”
There has been a considerable turnover of players during the summer transfer window so far, and while Ismaël is expecting further activity before deadline day, he is happy with the group he has at his disposal for Saturday.
He said: “It was the club’s desire to have a big cut and a fresh restart, but also a clear restart. I think it was necessary, and our job has been to make sure all the players we have and who we’re bringing in have the right mentality and attitude to suit what we’re trying to do on the pitch.
“So far we are satisfied, for sure. We know we still have business to do, and we’re working intensively behind the scenes, but the market is not easy. I think we are over 90 per cent there, now it’s just about adjusting one or two positions where we feel we need to strengthen.
“The majority of the squad we’ve got here have been working with us from the very start of pre-season, which is also important. One of our priorities has been maximising the availability of players, and we’ve worked very closely with the medical department to make the right decisions. Now, with the first game just around the corner, I think we’re in a good place.”
Watford’s first opponents of 2023/24 triumphed in both of the sides’ meetings last term, and Ismaël is anticipating another tough game when Gareth Ainsworth’s West Londoners stroll into town this time around.
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And, ahead of his first competitive game in charge of the Golden Boys, the 47-year-old stressed his excitement at finally being able to take his place in The Vic’s home dugout, while also admitting feeling a tinge of nerves.
Ismaël added: “When you start the season all the teams are motivated, all the teams are fit and all the teams are ready. We know it will be a fight, but it’s all about desire and we have to make sure our desire is bigger than theirs.
“In the Championship this year there are only strong teams, and QPR are one of those. We know what we need to do, but we can’t wait to be out there in front of our fans, and we feel ready for the competition.
“I met many of our young supporters at the Junior Hornets Fun Day earlier this week, which was great, and now I can’t wait to meet everyone at Vicarage Road on matchday. That first home game is always special, and I will be a little bit nervous, but I’m excited and I hope we can get the right result.”
