New Watford head coach Rob Edwards has made it clear that team selection, formation, style of play and transfers are all his call.

The fixtures for the new season were released earlier today, the squad are in their fourth day of pre-season, and Edwards has quickly allayed any doubts about exactly the level of involvement he will have.

“The team you see on the pitch, the way we play, the formation, the approach, that’s all my call,” he said. “I don’t need to elaborate, it’s as simple as that. If that wasn’t the case, then to be totally honest I wouldn’t even be here. Those things are totally down to me. I can’t work any other way.

“It’s the same with transfers, I’m involved in player movements in and out of the club, and I will be a big part of the decision making. Of course I’ll work with Cristiano Giaretta and the team on making those decisions, but certainly if I say ‘how about this player’ then they work with me on that.

“It’s a two-way street, let’s be clear about that. I may identify a type of player I am looking for and then they will go and find options, but similarly I bring my own suggestions to the table. I’ve named one or two players already and the reaction has been positive.”

Edwards joined from League Two champions Forest Green Rovers, who use a similar style and structure.

“I’m not someone who wants do all the leg work when it comes to transfers, but I do want to be involved in decisions and the process,” he explained.

“Ultimately I want to build a good environment, a good culture and assemble a group of players I want to work with. To do that I need to have a say on who comes in and who goes out.

“You need a team behind you to do the scouting, to identify potential players. This club has an unbelievable network that we can use, but I’ve also got to be involved in the process as a whole.

“At my previous club the way of working was almost exactly the same. We had director of football and operated in the same way as here.”

Cucho Hernandez left the club this week to join MLS side Columbus Crew while Philip Zinckernagel is expected to put pen to paper on a deal to move to Greek side Olympiakos. Meanwhile, 25-year-old striker Vakoun Issouf Bayo is joining the Hornets.

“Nothing will happen in terms of players leaving or joining without me being part of the decision," Edwards said. "I know people will say the players leaving are good players, but we also have other good players at the club. You also have to take into account what the player wants.

“Both Phil and Cucho go with our blessing and thanks, and I was involved in the process of both decisions.

“The EFL’s ‘rule of 11’, which I think is a nice way of putting it, is clear. You can’t have more than 11 non-homegrown players in your 18 for a game. I don’t want to be looking at the team sheet and thinking ‘if I select him, can I also select him?’ That’s a crazy position to get into. So that is definitely in our thinking when we’re shaping the squad.”

With Joshua King gone and Emmanuel Dennis likely to follow, Edwards said increasing attacking options was a priority.

“I was aware of Bayo’s qualities, I’ve seen him in action and he can certainly head a ball, and that is important as part of the way I would like to play is to get the ball in the box.

“He has a good attitude in his work, and he’s a player that you can play the ball into and he’ll get hold of it. A player like Bayo could prove to be a very astute signing, if we get him into the right positions and get the right delivery to let him do what he’s good at.”