It’s been called a lot of things by fans and pundits over the summer, but head coach Valerien Ismael described it as “a clean out”.

More than 20 players left Watford after the last season ended, a clearly concerted effort to make a fresh start after two dismal seasons.

Ismael admits that when he joined the club, he found a board that was demanding not just better results, but a better way of working.

“It was from day one, when I met with the board for the first time, we spoke about the squad, and the mentality,” said the Frenchman.

“The board was unhappy, not only about the results in the season but more the way that things happened.

“It was about assessing the situation with the experience of the board and my ideas. It was clear that if we want to make things happen, and change the mindset of the club and the players, you need to have a clean out. That makes sure you can restart properly.

“We wanted players who are more hungry, who have more desire on the pitch, and who are more ready to go again to prove something.

“That is the way we decided to go, all together. This is our way, and we are very strong on that way with the board, and we will continue that way.”

Having seen many players depart and, so far, fewer arrive, what can fans expect from this streamlined squad?

“The team that we send out on the pitch will work hard,” said Ismael.

“There will be intensity. They will have energy on the pitch and will play good football.

“We’ve been working with the players for seven weeks to create that mentality, that work ethic, the identity.

“Now it’s all about the attitude. I have said to the players already that they now need to focus on their attitude. I get the feeling that they know we need to do the right things, and that the players in the team are ready to go in the same direction with us.”

Naturally, seeing so many players depart – particularly the likes of Joao Pedro and Ismaila Sarr – has led to fans being concerned that Watford don’t have the quality to compete.

“Yes we have lost quality on the pitch, but I think we have good mentality and togetherness, and a good work ethic,” said Ismael.

“There is a big desire in the squad to do things better. The players who were here last season you could feel straight away they were really unhappy and dissatisfied about last season, and they want to do it better.

“They are ready to take ownership and responsibility for that.”