It really is only nine league games into the season, and just over three months since Rob Edwards worked with his Watford players for the first time - even if at times it has felt like more.

They have during that time also steered a path through the uncertainty of an abnormally long run of matches with the transfer window still open, and also had to deal with a clutch of injuries that seems to be a case of ‘one into the treatment room, one out’.

And within that framework, Edwards has had to also familiarise himself with the staff he inherited, the ways of working people had become used to and the overall structure at the club.

While results may not have been ideal, does he feel he is now implementing his beliefs, methods and operating manual?

“I am a new set of eyes and I am happy with the way we’re able to work, and I think we are also still able to grow and find the best way for us,” he said.

“At any football club, when there are things in place and ways of working you look at it and see how it is.

“We had this last season at Forest Green: some things might be in place that are better than what you want! We’ll continue to see things that are really good and helping, and things where I believe I can tweak it a bit or do this myself a bit better.

“I always look at myself first though because that’s the one thing I really can effect.”

The intensity and unusual nature of playing the first month of the season, when games were crammed in to allow for the World Cup break later, with the transfer window still open cannot be over stated.

“We had quite a lot to adapt to in that initial seven or eight games while the window was still open,” said Edwards.

“I think we now need to find consistency in our working week. I don’t think I’ve quite found that yet, and that’s down to me.

“There maybe hasn’t been consistency in the message in terms of our principles and what we want. I need to get real clarity in my messaging so that the players know what the non-negotiables are.”

After Tuesday night, Edwards has had just a few days to prepare for tomorrow’s game with Sunderland while also dealing with the aftermath of a bitterly disappointing showing at Blackburn.

“As a group – me, the staff and the players – we weren’t happy with the performance on Tuesday night, especially the first half,” he admitted.

“We’ve always said you can never control wins, but what we can control is the effort, the work-rate, the commitment and the fighting spirit. I take responsibility for that, because if there have been any sort of mixed messages then it’s my responsibility.

“I’ve made it very, very clear that I want intensity in our play and I expect the players to bring that.

“There were things we did get right, but we didn’t get it right enough. We were too passive, especially when we were out of possession. And then when we were in possession we weren’t good enough with the ball.

“We couldn’t break their press. They had intensity in their pressing and counter pressing, and we weren’t good enough with the ball. We were sloppy and gave it away too quickly.”

The boss was quick to say that while he did feel his players lacked intensity, he wasn’t suggesting a lack of effort on their part.

“Our players give us everything but the other night, for whatever reason, for that first 45 minutes, the intensity levels weren’t there. I would never label our players with a lack of effort unless I think that’s the case. But what we didn’t have was the intensity.

“I know what the fans want, and I know what they deserve. They pay their hard-earned money and they travel a long way to come and see a performance like that. We have to bring that intensity tomorrow.”

Edwards talked of there being a number of players who spoke up in the dressing room after the game at Ewood Park, and that continued as they assessed and reflected upon the performance at the training ground this week.

“The players have accepted it wasn’t good enough and there’s been a good response,” he said.

“Playing again so quickly is an opportunity to try and change things. We’ve had conversations, watched videos and got out on the pitch to do some work. They know I need a response tomorrow.

“I think the leaders are coming to the fore in the group. We’ve had a couple of meetings this week and the players had a chat amongst themselves as well. We are nine games in – it’s not panic stations.

“We lost that game on Tuesday, but what was more worrying for me was the performance we gave. In previous games when we’d gone behind we showed some character and fight to come back. That wasn’t there on Tuesday.

“It’s not a dire situation here but I think the players know they can give more.”