Malky Mackay believes Watford still need to bring new signings to the club, despite their encouraging start to the season, due to the “incredible difference in experience” between his side and many of their Championship opponents.

Mackay’s impressive start to management has meant the October international break, following the 4-0 defeat to Cardiff City, was the only time the Hornets have been in the bottom half of the Championship since the beginning of September.

Watford currently occupy 12th spot despite their heavy loss at the Hawthorns on Saturday but although his side have surpassed most expectations this campaign, Mackay is under no illusions that he needs to add some much-needed experience to his squad.

The average age of Watford’s starting XI on Saturday was just over 23 and it has not been above 24 since the sale of Tommy Smith in August.

When it is considered the average of the starting XI for tomorrow’s (Saturday’s) opponents Preston North End’s was nearly 25 at the weekend, then it seems Mackay has a point.

He said: “I think we have got to constantly look at adding to the group because I think after you look at the first 12 names, you are in to a lot of inexperience there and if injuries and suspensions hit you, as has happened to us at some times this year, you can see how thin the squad is and how youthful the squad is.

“Having a lot of youth is fair enough but the squad is thin in terms of depth and experience and I look at some benches this year and I look at ours and it is incredible the difference in experience.

“Our youngsters are there on merit and because they are going to be good players but right now it is an experience thing.

“I think when you see that, then we always have to be actively looking to improve the squad.

“So it is something that is ongoing but it is also one where whoever comes in has to do better than the ones that are in the team and producing.”

Watford’s need to raise funds saw the club sell the likes of Smith and Tamas Priskin in the summer and although Mackay would like to bring in permanent replacements, the Scot confirmed any additions in January are likely to be on loan.

He said: “At the moment, it is probably going to be loan signings but we are restricted by our budgets and there is a transition at the club. The way the club has to be run, we need to be practical.”

But if the right player is available for the right price, then Mackay said the club has some money in the budget to spend on new signings.

The manager said: “The recruitment department are searching and investigating players and we will look at every situation and if we feel there is a situation where we can buy a player and it is inside our budget, then we will do that.”