Malky Mackay has seen first hand the passion the Watford community has for its football club and the Hornets' new boss claims their support is going to be crucial in overcoming the tough times that lie ahead.

The manager insists he will do all he can to bring success to the town he has called home for four years and says as long as Watford respect the Championship, then they "will have a chance".

The Scot joined the Golden Boys as a player in 2005 and was part of the squad who helped the club shock football by gaining promotion to the Premier League – a day which will live with Mackay for the rest of his life.

He said: "I have been at the club for a few years and was here when we got to the play-off final and I will never forget that day and the warmth of the Watford fans in the stadium that day and ever since then.

"I think I have a reasonably good rapport with them from when I played and then when I was brought on to the coaching staff. I felt that they gave me a chance.

"And when I was in temporary charge, I felt that one of the real positives of that time was the backing I had from the fans.

"It was just unfortunate that only one of the five games we had was at home. But that day, if that had been the only day I was manager of the football club, it would have been one to remember because of the warmth and the relationship I felt was there that day.

"So to be given the chance to put my slant on the club and lead it forward, I take that very seriously and I know the passion involved with the local community and the people around the football club.

"I live in the community and have done with my family for a while now, so I want to do my best for them and I know they want to do their best for us – I really do know that."

Watford are in a transitional period. The Premier League days of big money-spending are over and the club has been actively trying to cut costs throughout the 'company', with a number of players being sold and released to reduce the size of the squad and the wage bill.

Although Mackay concedes there will be "tough times ahead", he has promised supporters his players will be giving their all for the badge.

"The fans' support is going to be huge because there are going to be tough times ahead, there is no doubt about it. It is about how you get through that and you get through it together.

"As long as our fans see that the players on that pitch are trying the hardest they can to be a Watford player then they [fans] will excuse mistakes. But if they see someone not trying then both they and I will not be happy.

"So I think the fans will want to see that and that is what I want to give them – people that care about the club."

Mackay achieved three consecutive promotions to the Premier League with Norwich City, West Ham United and Watford, so there are not many sides the former centre back is yet to face.

The Championship seems to be stronger yet again this year and will include a club many consider a 'sleeping giant' in Newcastle United.

However, Mackay claims he is not looking forward to visiting St James' Park anymore than the next fixture and believes you must show every side in the division the same respect or it may come back to "bite you".

He said: "Obviously when you have clubs the size of Newcastle and Middlesbrough in the league, the Premiership tag is attached and the Premiership stadiums are attached and you enjoy going to nice stadiums and playing on good football pitches.

"You have Leicester coming up as well, who are a big club as far as that is concerned, but I have been involved against every club we are going up against in one capacity or another and I am really looking forward to them all.

"I know it is a real 46-game slog– Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday, Tuesday – and at any given time bottom can beat top any week of the season and every week there is a surprise result.

"So it makes it a great league and as long as you respect that and respect the league then you have a good chance. The moment you don't respect the league then that is when it comes and bites you."

Mackay had a taste of management following Aidy Boothroyd's departure and is back in the hot seat once more due to Brendan Rodgers' decision to join his adopted home-town club Reading.

Watford fans are already discussing the return of Rodgers on various different message boards but Mackay claims there will be no added spice when the Hornets visit the Madejski Stadium on September 26.

"To be honest with you, it will be no different to any other team we go up against," Mackay said. "One hundred per cent it makes no odds to me. It is the same three points as everyone else.

"Brendan was here with us and it will be good to say hello, but as far as any extra spice is concerned, I want to make sure that we go and we equip ourselves well and every time we go and play away and at the Vic, make sure we get three points as many times as we can and that is what I am looking for when we go to Reading and nothing else."

Mackay was in charge of the Reserve team prior to Rodgers' arrival and the Scot's assistant manager Sean Dyche took over the role for the second half of last season.

Watford use the Reserve team to primarily blood their young Academy players and this summer has seen a number of them progress to the first-team squad.

Ross Jenkins, 18, played 37 first-team games last season and six fellow Academy graduates attended the club's pre-season trip to Spain.

Although Mackay is keen for the younger players to gain as much experience as possible, he is adamant everyone who travelled to Barcelona was there because they deserved to be.

He said: "The ones who have been involved have been there on merit and they are a part of the first-team squad on merit. People see Ross Jenkins as just a run of the mill Championship midfielder but he is 18 years old.

"We brought on Lee Hodson and Michael Bryan on Saturday and it wasn't just so they could have five minutes against Parma – they deserve to be where they are in the first-team squad.

"The other young guys who have been involved in training and over in Spain with us were also there on merit."