When any new manager is appointed, fans and pundits alike will attempt to predict what his team’s formation and approach will be.

Evidence from Valerien Ismael’s time at the likes of Barnsley, West Brom and Besiktas points toward perhaps 3-4-3 or 4-5-1, and an often direct but always high-energy approach.

The head coach, though, was keen to stress that he believes he adapts his style to the players, the club and the situation – so what is seen at Watford may not totally resemble any of his previous clubs.

“If you look at my last club, Besiktas, that was a completely different way of playing football to what we have done before,” he said.

“I think Barnsley was special for Barnsley and the situation. At that time we were in lockdown and if you remember the schedule at that time was so tight.

“We were playing every three days for six months in a row. The pitches were not great, and at some point you just need to make the right decision for the team and the young players, so that you can suit them the best.

“Then after that you move on and create something that will also suit the team.

“Every time you take on another club there is something different. The quality of the players may be raised, they play differently.

"At Besiktas we had high-quality players and we had a lot of possession so it was more a case of how can we create chances when the block is very low.

“Now I think with Watford it can be a mix of all at some point. Some games we will have the ball and a lot of possession, and we have to find a solution for those games.

“In some games we may have to change and press more to put the opponent under pressure.

“You always have to be adaptable to the Championship, because the Championship has its own rules. You have to be able to compete.”

One thing Ismael hasn’t settled upon just yet is who will be his captain, now the likes of Tom Cleverley, Joao Pedro and Craig Cathcart are no longer in the squad.

“I haven’t decided on a captain, not yet,” he said.

“I think, as I say, we need to assess the squad and get the feeling of the squad, finding out which players have influence on the other players. Some players will be important to other players.

“More and more though I think it is important not to pick one captain but several. You need a group of players who will have a part in managing the squad through the season.

“They will be the link between the staff and the squad, and within that group of players we will have our captains.”