Defender Jeremy Ngakia completed his third consecutive 90 minutes for Watford against Millwall on Saturday – the first time he has done so for more than three years.

Already this season he has played almost as many minutes as he did during the entirety of the 22/23 campaign, and the benefits of being fitter, stronger and having a run in the team are showing in his performances.

The Hornets have not lost any of the four games that Ngakia has played on the right of defence since Ryan Andrews began his suspension, and against Millwall he was effective at the back and also when going forward.

“And that was his third game in a week,” head coach Valerien Ismael commented.

“I don’t think he has played three lots of 90 minutes in one week for a long time.

“We keep improving and I see the positive from all the work we have done.

“Some players will need more time, some others now look very stable. This is why we are now looking like a stable squad.”

Striker Mileta Rajovic scored another stoppage-time goal at Vicarage Road, but having started three of the first four games after joining the club in August, he has been limited to less than three hours of football in the last six matches.

“Over the last two or three weeks we have got the feeling that he is really near, and he is adapting better to the Championship and is more stable now,” said Ismael.

“We know we still have a lot of work to do with him, but the potential is there.

“He knows exactly where you have to be to score goals.

“Yes for sure he needs better service. We know we have to work on crosses because we can do that better.

“We have the quality in that player position, and I think we have two of the best full-backs in the league in Ngakia and Lewis.

“So we can expect more quality in our crosses for sure.”

Many fans would have gratefully accepted seven points from the three games in the last week, especially as Watford had lost three on the spin before that.

Ismael said the busy schedule means you have to stay focussed, and also plan your work around long journeys.

“You can only focus on the next game, and that is especially the case when you have three games in a week,” he said.

“Travelling doesn’t help. We came back from Swansea at about 3am, so you are not getting to bed until 4am.

“Then you have to try and prepare for the next game three days later, and it is all about recovery.

“Maybe that was part of the reason why the spark was not there towards the end against Millwall.

“The point will continue to lift the confidence of the players though.”

Confidence was certainly lacking before this four-game unbeaten run, and that is something Ismael believe is vital.

“Mentality and morale is the first thing you need in the Championship,” he said, adding: “That, and maybe defending set pieces!

“You have to show desire, togetherness, belief, because in this league anyone can beat anyone, so if you have the right mentality then you need just the right structure and to be organised, as well as some quality to make the difference.

“This is a great league where you see many styles of football. Millwall was something different, but that’s a part of the beauty of the Championship.”