Will Hughes has explained how Nigel Pearson has helped him become a new player at Watford and how he feels he has changed under the head coach.

Prior to Pearson's arrival, Hughes was deployed on the right of midfield under Javi Gracia, while Quique Sanchez Flores struggled to fit him into his defensive system where he was regularly substituted when games were not quite going to plan.

Now he is a mainstay of the first team, playing deep in midfield alongside Etienne Capoue, giving Abdoulaye Doucoure the opportunity to charge forward and help the attack.

Speaking on the club's official podcast, Hughes said the move was unexpected, but one which he feels has been beneficial, given the change in the Hornets' fortunes since Pearson's arrival.

“When the gaffer came in he made a slight change in my position,” said Hughes.

“I don't think anyone was expecting that, myself included. A few people were a bit hesitant, but I've really enjoyed it and taken to that position really well. I don't know if he (Pearson) was a bit hesitant because I was a completely different player [at Derby], so I'm not sure what he was expecting, but he was really open and honest with me and thankfully it's worked out well so far.”

The change has seen Hughes become a more combative player than he was before, when he was expected to be a creative outlet, but it is a side of the game he is enjoying.

“It's not something I do on purpose,” he said.

“It's just something that happens in the heat of the moment. You have to have a smile on the pitch and enjoy these battles because that's what it's all about. It's gone out of the game in the last five or ten years. Eight years ago I wouldn't have thought I was that type of player, but I've had to move with the times. It's important to read the game, but you've got to ruffle some feathers and run into people.”