Quique Sanchez Flores says he has high expectations of Hornets winger Steven Berghuis but admits it is taking the Dutchman time to adapt to life in the Premier League.

The former AZ Alkmaar player has yet to start a game for the Golden Boys since his summer move to Vicarage Road and was left out of the match-day squad entirely for Watford’s draw at Bournemouth.

Flores spoke after that game and said: “Maybe some players in training are thinking that it is very easy to make Watford’s list. Maybe that is because we are humble team.”

Berghuis has subsequently had the international break to impress the Golden Boys head coach and Flores was asked today how the winger had performed in training. 

He said: “He is working well. We have 25 players and that is the problem. You have to work really, really, really well to get on the (squad) list.

“If you give another player space then we have players here who are ready to take that spot on the list.

“I have high expectations of Steven. He has qualities that are difficult to find in other players.

“He has skill, can shoot and is good at set-pieces. But the other part which is very important is his adaptation.

“English football is very different to the football in Holland. Here the players go backwards and forwards all the time. He needs to understand that.”

Flores continued: “When he goes on the list it doesn’t mean he has completely adapted. I try and give the players space to adapt but then they have to give me good feedback. They have to show me they have taken that opportunity in a positive way.

“Sometimes they do that straight away and other times we have to wait a little longer. I don’t want to say ‘this player isn’t ready to play’. What I will say is ‘we have to wait a little longer’.

“I don’t surrender on these players. Every player has quality but sometimes I have to work more with certain players. That is my task.

“When that player improves it is an amazing feeling for the coach. When they say ‘thank you coach’, it is amazing.”