Defender William Troost-Ekong started his first league game of the season in Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Sunderland at Vicarage Road, and echoed the sentiments of his head coach that the Hornets have to find a way of holding onto leads.

“We were better today and need to find ways of killing such games,” he said.

"I haven't seen the goals back. There was a discussion over whether their first was over the line but the referee has a watch so we need to trust that. That's part and parcel of the Championship without VAR.

"Things can swing both ways but a lapse in concentration created the chance for them. Those are crucial moments. If we went in 1-0 up we could be a bit more confident.

"We managed to get ahead again and we need to find a way to hold on.”

It was certainly a marked improvement on the team performance at Blackburn.

"You can't compare it to Tuesday, it was a good reaction. You can't guarantee wins but we gave everything. We need to find a way to be a bit more clever. We looked much better. We dominated spells and tried to play football.”

Despite only getting his first league start on Saturday, Troost-Ekong had nothing but praise for head coach Rob Edwards.

"He's been very good,” he said. “He came in to change the narrative from last season and despite the results he has done that.

"All the boys back him 100 per cent. We've been going through a difficult spell of not getting the wins we would like to but we are all responsible for that.

"He tries to fill us with confidence and give us the licence to play.”

Discord in the dressing room last season has been well discussed, and Troost-Ekong said the players are much more unified this time round.

"Yeah. I think that's one of the key things. You have to try and find a way to be a team.

"Last year was difficult and we've changed quite a bit of the squad. This year has to be a team effort. Last time we were in the Championship that's the way we got promoted.

"Now we need to convert that into more wins. I think slowly but surely we'll get there but we just need to believe in the process and work hard.”

The Nigerian international gave a solid performance against Sunderland, and played a part in both goals.

"My season has only really started now. This is what I want to focus on,” he said.

"There was some unrest in the transfer window but I'm here now, I'm a Watford player, I wanted to win today, I gave everything I had and I will continue to do that."