Watford emerged from the festive fixture period with eight points after five games in 16 days.

It’s the sort of total that a lot of fans might have predicted before the game at Preston, though few would have accurately foreseen where the eight points would be accrued.

The wins at Preston and Blackburn were tremendous away days and, in the main, extremely impressive.

Boxing Day against Bristol City was readily forgettable, but Watford bounced back and might have beaten Stoke City if they had been allowed to keep 11 players on the pitch.

Then on New Year’s Day the 90 minutes at Plymouth encapsulated the characteristics of the Christmas period: exciting attacking, some questionable defending, bags of character and a real desire not to lie down.

“I think, looking back over it, that maybe the Bristol City game gives us a false picture,” said Valerien Ismael, reflecting on the festive period.

“We played Preston, Blackburn and Plymouth away, all strong teams at their homes, and we played a great game against Stoke but the red card changed that game.

“I think it is just the Bristol game. Otherwise this period of season I am pleased with, especially away from home as we are still unbeaten in four games.”

The Watford boss said he would look back over the second half of December in a good light.

“I don’t want to speak too negatively as I think I see more positives,” he said.

“You can blame us for the Bristol game, I agree completely, but that was a bad day, it’s as simple as that.

“Against Plymouth we saw the character of the players to come back into the game at 2-1 and 3-2 away from home against a strong side.

“You have to accept and see things as they are.

“We have a good feeling that we can do better and I think the January and February period will give us more energy and belief.”