Joel Ekstrand claims the number of managerial changes at Watford will not have a negative impact on the team heading into tomorrow’s match with Sheffield Wednesday.

The Hornets defender argued the club’s incredible turnover of four head coaches in just over five weeks strengthened the spirit amongst the players.

In Slavisa Jokanovic, Watford are already onto their fourth head coach of the season. Beppe Sannino and Oscar Garcia resigned from their posts while Billy McKinlay was replaced by Jokanovic last week after only eight days in the job.

Despite the upheaval, the Golden Boys’ results have remained consistent and they are currently only off the Championship summit on goal difference.

Swedish international Ekstrand admits having four different head coaches by October is not ideal but stresses the players have coped well with the changes.

He said: “It’s definitely not as bad as it looks. I can understand it looks chaotic but it really isn’t.

“Things have obviously happened but it doesn’t affect the players as much as you think looking from the outside as a supporter.

“It isn’t ideal but it doesn’t affect the group in a bad way. We’ll stay concentrated on the games.”

He continued: “I think you can take only the positives from this now. It will strengthen us as a group and we have had a good start to the season considering the circumstances.

“So we’re looking at it positively. Hopefully now we can have some stability. If we can get some stability we can build on what we have done so far and hopefully get better.”

Jokanovic takes charge of his first Watford match tomorrow as the Hornets travel to Hillsborough.

The Serbian has had more than a week to prepare his side for the fixture, although several players have been away on international duty.

Speaking yesterday (Thursday), Jokanovic said: “Today is the first day we have started with [almost] a complete squad at the training ground. It is not easy and it is a little bit complicated but this is the situation I found when I arrived here.

“We have started working with one part of the team and we are going to continue working over the next [couple of] days and months in a similar way.”

He continued: “It is not the players’ fault that there have been that many coaches leaving this place.

“The situation is now behind us and I am looking in front of us.

“It is not always easy for the players if someone new arrives. [But] I have arrived here and I expect the team are going to find stability with me.”

The international break has given Jokanovic time to learn about his squad. The 46-year-old says has watched every Watford game this season and several of the Owls' fixtures on DVD.

Jokanovic admits the Championship has “100 per cent” more quality than in the Serbian and Thailand top tiers, where he won titles with Partizan Belgrade and Muangthong United.

He added: “There is probably going to be more quality in my squad. I will probably find more problems because I will play against quality opposition. All the places are different and you must find time for acclimatisation.”

Jokanovic currently has no plans to add to his coaching staff and says he is looking forward to working alongside Spanish coaches Ruben Martinez and Javier Pereira, in addition to the other Italian, Spanish and British staff members.

He claims his tactical style and system will be similar to that of Garcia but hopes Watford are able to improve their control in matches and also defending long balls into the penalty area.

The Hornets boss says it is too early to talk about Watford’s promotion chances. However, he said there are many reasons to be optimistic.

He explained: “I believe this team have quality, I believe in myself and I believe in this club and my staff.”