Fans and media alike have become somewhat attuned to any head coach updates from Watford at this time of year being around ending their tenure at Vicarage Road – so today’s announcement that Valerien Ismael had signed a new contract bucked the trend.

And, from what the head coach said, that was very much why the club wanted to get the statement out there today – they are keen to show there is alignment and that talk of a rebuild at the club is more than just words.

“It’s a clear statement from the club, who have taken the responsibility to make it clear,” said Ismael.

“We believe in this way, and that is what I said throughout pre-season that from day one it was something we felt was right.

“It’s clear on one side you see the results on the pitch, but on the other side the work we did to have the clear out, to get a new mentality, to have the way we play, to create new discipline, that all takes a lot of energy and time.

“We are really good now we have made that first step, and we can build on that. The next step is on the pitch, and that also takes time.

“I am very pleased the club realised and recognised the work we have done, and you see the advantage when the owner is on site. He sees every day how we work with the players, and the intensity we have.

“There is a clear plan, and for sure we are not pleased with the number of points we have. We should have more points.

“But this shows everyone is able to look beyond the points total and see exactly how we want to work. We want to be together like this.

“It is a statement for everyone that allows us to now focus.”

The head coach said the offer of a new contract, and his acceptance of that offer, clearly demonstrated that both the club and he have committed to each other

“It shows that both sides are willing to work together, and to have that consistency,” he said.

“I feel that my ways and methods need time, and the club understood that and have given me the focus now to make sure that we get things right.

“We now know we have the time and the support. But it’s clear that you have to win games also.

“For the players and the staff it’s a strong message. There is no doubt in the minds of our players and staff now because everyone believes in our way, and everyone was pleased with the news.

“Hopefully it can now give us the energy we need and that spark on the pitch.”

Despite being just above the relegation zone at this early stage, Ismael feels that having owner Gino Pozzo at the training ground has enabled them to work together and share their belief in what the club is attempting to do.

“We have become stronger and stronger over the weeks, and regardless of the results that has been the case because of the communication we have had week in, week out,” he said.

“There is trust that we have built together, and that is the base you need to have success.

“This contract is just the documentation that shows we want that stability.

“I feel happy here, I want to be here, the club want to work with me and my staff. Everyone wanted to work that way with us, and now is just the message. It’s up to us now to put the results on the pitch.”

The players and staff were told the news this morning before heading up to Sunderland, and the head coach said it was very well received.

“It was important to see the reaction of the players. They were pleased, delighted,” he said.

“There was a lot of positive reaction – finally, we believe.

“It gives us that energy because when you don’t have the results then everyone starts to have doubts and starts questioning everything. It creates unnecessary bad energy. You don’t need that.

“Now this is channelling positive energy for us, because the questions are completely put aside and there is no excuse or reasons to apologise for the players.

“We took our responsibility, now the players need to do the same on the pitch. Their responsibility is the performance on the pitch.

“Some players need to raise their performance, they are able to do it better. They are sure they can.

“But now everyone needs to step up. This is a strong sign from the club, they have stepped up first. They have said this is our way and we are building something together, and everyone has to be aligned.”

When asked if he had discussed with the owner how long it might take to fully see the results of the rebuilding and his changes in style and approach, and if there were any timelines in place to assess progress, the head coach said for now the focus was purely on getting more wins on the board.

“It’s more about the next game now,” he said.

“The situation is solved and now it’s all about getting results. That doubt in the mind was maybe there due to the past patterns we saw.

“Now they have been removed and we are moving in the right direction.

“We’ve had some bad games, but even on Saturday in the second half we dominated our opponent. We were able to do that.

“Now some players need to step up because at the minute we are not playing at the full percentage of our potential. That’s my feeling.

“We have a lot of room to improve. Sometimes we have five or six players playing to the correct level, other times it’s more or less.

“We have to make sure we find which piece we need to add for the players to be able to perform.

“I hope this move will help to set the players’ energy free, so they can just play and deliver.”