Little did Lloyd Doyley know that comments he made on Saturday evening would prove to be prophetic: “In football things change all the time. Watford is never a quiet place.”

At that point he was discussing Billy McKinlay taking over as Watford’s head coach following Oscar Garcia’s resignation due to health concerns.

McKinlay is of course no longer in charge of the Hornets. It was confirmed on Tuesday morning that he had been replaced by Slavisa Jokanovic.

It is very rare that a journalist’s question can be transferred from week to week. But, following Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Brighton and Hove Albion, Doyley was asked how the players had dealt with the managerial merry-go-round. It is a question worth repeating.

“In football things change all the time,” the popular defender replied. “Watford is never a quiet place. I have been here for 13 years and have had loads of managers.

“We have had several different owners as well during my time. As players you have just got to keep aiming for your goal – which is to be promoted this season.”

While it has been a bizarre campaign at Watford – and bear in mind we are only in October – it has also been a slightly strange one for Doyley.

The defender has made almost 400 league appearances for the Hornets but Saturday’s game against the Seagulls was his first in the Championship this season.

He had previously only played in Watford’s two Capital One Cup matches and hadn’t featured in a competitive game since August 26.

The 31-year-old admits he has been disappointed not to be included on a more regular basis but understands competition for places is at an all-time high at Vicarage Road.

He said: “It is difficult. There are only 11 places and we have got a strong 25-man squad. So if you are not starting a match, then it doesn’t mean you will even be on the bench.

“It just shows the quality we have got here. It is tough being out of the side but it has happened to me many times before.

“I have always had a good attitude and I would like to play 50 games a season. Sometimes that doesn’t always happen unfortunately. You just have to work hard and try and get your place back.”

Since making his debut in 2001, Doyley has been involved in entertaining promotion bids, disappointing relegation battles and mediocre mid-table campaigns.

He has played in the Premier League with the Hornets during the 2006/2007 season and believes the current Watford squad is more than capable of reaching the top flight.

He said: “There can’t be any excuses. We put pressure on ourselves to play well and we know we are a good team. We get paid to go out and perform as best we can.

“The squad is strong. I think we have got a couple of players for every position. If you look at our bench then there are quality players who would get into many teams in the Championship.

“It is definitely one of the best Watford squads I have been involved in.”

He continued: “At the end of the day we need to have consistency as a side. If we play well we need to win and if we aren’t playing well then we need at least a point.

“I think that’s what we are doing at the moment. Sometimes we’re not playing too well but we’re getting a good result.

“This league is really tight and I don’t think there is anybody who is going to run away with it – well, hopefully we will.”

Jokanovic will be charged with guiding the Hornets to the Premier League. He is Doyley’s 11th manager or head coach at Watford.

Perhaps the right-back will now regain his place in the match-day squad. After all, his contract expires next summer.

“I’ve been here a long time, you never know what is going to happen,” Doyley said. “I’ve got less than a year left on my contract. I need to perform to get another one.”