Walter Mazzarri turned to his homeland when quizzed on Watford players’ apparent discontent about a heavy training load.

“In Italy we say that the work makes the person more noble,” was the Hornets head coach’s response.

It is a sentiment the Watford squad, reports claim, have failed to grasp, with suggestions some among their number are angered by an apparent 12 straight days of training.

Mazzarri refused to confirm if he had indeed subjected his side to such a gruelling schedule, but admitted he upped the players’ workload in the wake of a disappointing defeat to Hull City.

“We went to play at Hull city. Since I am the manager and I am the number one fan, I don’t want to think that some of the players have relaxed,” he explained.

“I was very angry and wanted to only give one day off and gave only two. I made them work hard and got the reaction I wanted [against Liverpool].

“First of all it is a mentality thing and I make them understand what I believe, which is work, sacrifice and strong mentality.”

Mazzarri’s appetite for work is something he is eager for his players to mirror and while he says he is open to their opinions on training workloads, the sense is those unwilling to adhere to his rule will get short shrift.

Mazarri added: “If there is any player that doesn’t agree with me then he can raise his hand. I am not going to change my line.”

Mazzarri continues to stress he will make his final assessment on a squad which has all but secured its Premier League status over the final few games of the season.

With this in mind, now may not be the opportune time to show a distaste for work, with Mazzarri confirming he has already begun to lay the foundations for a summer revamp.

He said: “The club knows what I have said to them and I have a clear idea. We still have four games to evaluate the team.

“Even though I have a clear idea it is important to see which players will come into the team and give everything to the team.”

One thing is certain, in the Italian’s mind at least, he will be at the Vicarage Road helm next season and is pleased with his side’s achievement this.

He does, however, expect to see a marked improvement in the 2017/18 campaign after overcoming what he believes is always a testing second term back in the top flight.

He said: “For a manager the result depends on the objectives they had at the beginning. If they managed to reach these objectives he has done his job.

“I think it (he is safe) even more than before if I look at my team and how we play. I still have a contract.

“I am sure next year based on this year we can do even better. We knew it would be more difficult this year than last year. It is harder to consolidate in the Premier League.”

Mazzarri’s next challenge comes in the form of a visit to Leicester where the reinvigorated champions await the Hornets.

Watford’s superior goal difference over Swansea City means a point should rubber stamp Watford’s top flight status.