Ismael discusses why so many players have left Watford

It’s been called a lot of things by fans and pundits over the summer, but head coach Valerien Ismael described it as “a clean out”.

More than 20 players left Watford after the last season ended, a clearly concerted effort to make a fresh start after two dismal seasons.

Ismael admits that when he joined the club, he found a board that was demanding not just better results, but a better way of working.

“It was from day one, when I met with the board for the first time, we spoke about the squad, and the mentality,” said the Frenchman.

“The board was unhappy, not only about the results in the season but more the way that things happened.

“It was about assessing the situation with the experience of the board and my ideas. It was clear that if we want to make things happen, and change the mindset of the club and the players, you need to have a clean out. That makes sure you can restart properly.

“We wanted players who are more hungry, who have more desire on the pitch, and who are more ready to go again to prove something.

“That is the way we decided to go, all together. This is our way, and we are very strong on that way with the board, and we will continue that way.”

Having seen many players depart and, so far, fewer arrive, what can fans expect from this streamlined squad?

“The team that we send out on the pitch will work hard,” said Ismael.

“There will be intensity. They will have energy on the pitch and will play good football.

“We’ve been working with the players for seven weeks to create that mentality, that work ethic, the identity.

“Now it’s all about the attitude. I have said to the players already that they now need to focus on their attitude. I get the feeling that they know we need to do the right things, and that the players in the team are ready to go in the same direction with us.”

Naturally, seeing so many players depart – particularly the likes of Joao Pedro and Ismaila Sarr – has led to fans being concerned that Watford don’t have the quality to compete.

“Yes we have lost quality on the pitch, but I think we have good mentality and togetherness, and a good work ethic,” said Ismael.

“There is a big desire in the squad to do things better. The players who were here last season you could feel straight away they were really unhappy and dissatisfied about last season, and they want to do it better.

“They are ready to take ownership and responsibility for that.”

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Valerian Ismail is set to take charge of his first competitive Watford match when his side host QPR in their Championship curtain-raiser on Saturday afternoon

Valerien Ismail clocked on as Watford’s latest game show contestant with a damning appraisal of the squad’s “lazy attitude” and dismal timekeeping.

The Hornets’ 11th boss in 45 months was shocked when FIVE players turned up late for his first day of training. And after recommending a wholesale cull, with 14 players sold, released or shipped out on loan, Ismael starts yet another new era at Vicarage Road admitting: “The board was unhappy, not only about the results but the way things happened.”

‌Watford used more players than any other club in the Championship last season, a reflection of their colossal injury toll after Christmas and three different head coaches – Rob Edwards, Slaven Bilic and Chris Wilder – all struggling to get a tune out of a bloated, over-rated squad.

‌Forwards Joao Pedro and Ismaila Sarr, almost £50 million for the pair, led the summer exodus and Ismael, 47, puts his new regime to the test against Queen’s Park Rangers in Saturday’s curtain-raiser.

He revealed: “From day one, when I met the board, we spoke about the mentality and it was clear that if you wanted to change the mindset, you needed a clear-out and to bring in players who were more hungry, with more desire and more ready to prove something.

“On the first day of training, five players came too late. Maybe it was an old habit, but now every player is punctual. We put rules in place to change the lazy attitude and for them to understand you are here to perform and be professional.

“It’s a privilege to be a professional footballer, so make sure you have the right attitude when you come in every day. That was the message, and now we are satisfied. Everyone is motivated by a big desire and the second step is to make a strong start, but the truth is on the pitch.