Ikechi Anya says Watford’s players would be arrogant and naive to think they know better than Hornets head coach Slavisa Jokanovic.

The former Chelsea midfielder took charge at Vicarage Road in October and was unbeaten in his first four matches in charge.

A run of four consecutive defeats then saw the Watford boss come under criticism and his decision to stop Keith Andrews training at the club was also questioned by a small number of Hornets fans.

Watford have recaptured their winning touch in December and have recorded three consecutive victories.

Anya has played an important role in that, having assisted the Golden Boys’ last three goals and the diminutive winger is firmly behind Jokanovic.

He said: “I have enjoyed working with every manager I have come across.

“You have to be pretty arrogant or naive to think that a manager, who has coaching qualifications, can’t impact your game for the better.

“So every manager I have come across I have held in great respect. That is the same now. He (Jokanovic) knows what he wants to do and I think he is getting his message across more and more.”

Andrews’ omission from the squad in consecutive matches resulted in the midfielder having a falling out with the head coach.

Prior to the Golden Boys’ first win in five games at Fulham, Andrews told Sky Sports viewers he had been left in the dark over his future and that Jokanovic didn’t know his best team.

The Serbian later explained Andrews’ absence was due to the regulations which only permit five loan players in an 18-man squad. Adlene Guedioura, who started on Saturday, had been preferred.

Anya was asked for his thoughts on Jokanovic’s decision to stop Andrews training with Watford. He replied: “I am not really sure about the Keith Andrews situation. I was just told one day that Keith wasn’t training with us anymore.

“The gaffer is here to make sure Watford Football Club is in the best possible condition it can be.

“So if he feels Keith Andrews was posing a threat to that then he has done something to benefit Watford.

“So we have to stand by him (Jokanovic) regardless of friendships. We can be friends outside of football but this is the manager’s decision and as professionals we have to respect that and get on with the training.”

Anya has made 17 appearances for the Hornets this season but it is his performances for Scotland that have caught the attention of the national media.

The 26-year-old netted against world champions Germany in September and has been become a firm favourite for his country. But he doesn’t believe his performances for Scotland have greatly differed from his displays for Watford.

He said: “European qualifiers give you that extra pressure if you’re playing in front of 80,000 people. Other than that it is the same.

“Whether I am on the pitch for Watford or Scotland I give everything I have got. I know every time I leave the pitch I can feel satisfied with myself. If I lack anything in quality I know I have given my all in that certain game.”

Anya’s form for his country saw Gordon Strachan question Premier League clubs and Celtic for overlooking the wideman in the summer transfer window.

That appears to have changed with reports last week in Scotland stating Celtic are interested in signing Anya next month.

The wideman said: “Gordon is one of the most influential people in my career. When I went into the Scotland set up he threw me in and when someone gives you an opportunity like that you have to respect them.

“He had Premier League players there but kept faith with me. He has done so much for my career and I hold him in high esteem and in high regard.

“Personally I haven’t heard anything about going to Celtic. Rumours go around all the time, especially with January coming up.

“I just play my football because you can’t stop things, like rumours, because you have no control over that.”