It sounds very much like a case of ‘one in, one out’ as Watford’s entrance into the January transfer window remains to be seen.

The Hornets have worked with a much thinner squad than in previous seasons with pretty much two players in each position, and head coach Valerien Ismael is sticking to that way of working as he eyes any January moves.

“We have some ideas to make sure we can find the right balance: not to add too many players and not to lose too many players,” he said.

“I don’t want to comment on any individual names, but the window has opened and we are working behind the scenes.

“We are very pleased with the environment the players are in and their mentality, it is evolving and developing and so we just have to find some players to add.

“If someone comes in then it will mean that someone goes out. We don’t need a big, big squad.”

It has only been recently that Watford’s squad has really looked severely stretched with injuries and suspension reducing the options.

“We came through the first seven months, we are facing a tough period ahead in February and March so we will need everyone, but we will have players coming back to fitness also,” said Ismael.

“Having the likes of Jamal Lewis and Ken Sema coming back during this month makes our squad bigger.

“We just have to pick the right players, but also to let some players go if they are not happy or want to play more.”

It’s clear that Ismael doesn’t like the idea of having so many players surplus to requirements that individuals can afford to coast, or conversely feel they are never going to get a chance.

“Exactly, we don’t want to overload,” he said.

“We have some ideas of what we want to do in every area of the pitch, and what we do will depend on the opportunities we can get.

“January is the tougher window as you either get players on loan or you have to spend a lot of money to get the player you want.

“It’s that balance. We have ideas and then it will depend which players want to move, and what possibilities we have to move players out.

“We’re halfway through the transfer window almost but we have to stay calm and patient.

“We are working behind the scenes though to be ready.”