Valérien Ismaël spoke to the media following Watford’s 5-0 victory over Rotherham United at Vicarage Road, with a brace from Mileta Rajović and goals from Edo Kayembe, Tom Ince and Matheus Martins completing the rout.
Covering a range of topics, including the improvements his squad have made and the mentality heading into the international break, read what the Head Coach had to say below…
On the game as a whole:
I think that we learned from last week with the challenge that we faced against Huddersfield Town. We were better prepared this week as last week we faced something new. We worked on the solution throughout the week and the first two goals are what we wanted – coming around the block of the defenders. As I said we have to cross more, shoot more and force the opponent to defend more to regain the ball, just to keep the pressure on.
I think during the match we scored in the right moments; right at the start of the game and just before half-time. When the opponent changed to a back four it was much easier for us to find our game and to find the areas we wanted to attack. I think today was a team performance; the bench gave us another breath, and they got the reward. Edo Kayembe scored his first goal for the club, Ben Hamer had a comfortable afternoon. It’s another clean sheet, five goals and just before the international break it’s a great performance for that block. We got 12 points from 18 available and we’re six games unbeaten now so that will give us a lot of confidence.
On the improvements the squad has made:
I think you see that we are improving in every block of matches. I think the first game against QPR showed us what is possible with this squad, but it’s been a lot of work. I think we came out of the challenge when we lost three games in a row very well with the mentality. We found the right solution for the players. So, I think now we are building something strong, and as I say, we need to recover because we will face another type of game.
The next massive block will come with a big December. Now we feel more ready, and we know the players better, the type of players we need for each game and when to make changes. It was a learning process, but we feel that we are moving in the right direction now the results are showing up.
On learning from the match against Huddersfield Town:
We learned from the past week. All the work we put in this week, the focus from the guys, training every day, and every day this week we got that feeling that the desire is there to finish the job properly. We were unhappy after the game last week and I said to the guys, it’s a positive sign because now we want more. Today we just had to show it on the pitch – our desire. I think we showed exactly where they want to go.
On the upcoming international break:
We will prepare now, recharge the batteries, and have a breather because now we will face another type of game. Christmas time will come, and the next international break is in a few months so we will have a lot of games to face. I think it's good now to have the rhythm, to get that confidence, continue to build that momentum and continue to work hard.
I think we have worked for this position from the beginning, we always wanted to be in that position. When you work hard and stick together, and believe in the work you put in, when the players believe in themselves, and when you are patient with the young players, then at some point you will get that reward and at this minute we have got the reward from our hard work.
On Jake Livermore:
I think today shows his mentality. He trained on Tuesday normally but after he got sick. Yesterday was really on the edge about whether he could play but he said that he was here for the team and he felt well. It was enough for one hour. He showed the mentality we need. He’s a big example for all the players at the club.
On Mileta Rajović:
I think he’s a one-touch finisher. I think all the goals he’s scored have been a one-touch finish. This is what we need, we need to provide the ball. What I like about him is that he didn’t need a lot of chances to score goals. That’s a quality from a top striker, and today that was the same. Two chances and he scored two goals. In some games, he didn’t have a lot of chances, but we know that when he gets one, he will score as he’s really strong in his finishing.
On Rhys Healey:
We haven’t spoken a lot about Rhys, but against Millwall he had a massive impact - a save on the line and then he was involved with the goal from Rajović. Today, he got an assist. For many weeks now he has been back, and you feel the positive energy. It’s a tough time for him but he’s always ready to play and at some point, he will get his reward.
