Don’t expect a lot of changes during the January transfer window.

That was the message from head coach Valerien Ismael who has now had time to draw breath after the hectic Christmas period and look ahead to January.

The new year is only five days old but, understandably given the number of rumours flying around, Watford fans are making predictions and suggestions, while websites make guesses at what Watford will or won’t do during the transfer window.

However, Ismael said this afternoon that there is nothing imminent – and he expects a low level of business.

“We are working behind the scenes, but there is nothing close to either coming in or going out,” he said.

“What I can tell you is we won’t change a lot because I think we have created a group now where everyone is involved, and everyone has a great feeling being part of the process.

“You cannot make big changes with five or six players in January just for the sake of change, because you risk destroying all the work we have put in so far.

“We trust the players we have, but also we know that perhaps we can do something different and get close to the picture we want to have.

“That will depend on a lot of different things.”

Although sporting director Cristiano Giaretta left the club a few weeks ago, his successor Gian Luca Nani has returned to the club and confirmed to The Watford Observer that he has inherited everything that had already been done and has seamlessly started working alongside Ismael.

“We are just working on what we want to do, but we will stay calm,” said the head coach.

“There won’t be a lot of change, but we will do things slightly and very clinically in terms of what we need.

“For sure if someone goes out we need to bring someone in.”

After a spell of five games in 16 days, January potentially means only four matches in as many weeks which gives Ismael and Nani greater opportunities to do whatever business they decide to do.

“Week after week we have more time between games now, so we have more time to think about things and have more meetings,” said the Watford boss.

“That allows us to understand fully which areas we want to strengthen straight away, or maybe add something that we don’t already have within the squad.

“The key thing is that we have to make every decision in order to improve and move to the next step.”

A long-term injury to Jeremy Ngakia is bound to have some influence on thinking during January, as will the recent injury sustained by Jamal Lewis and the possibility that Edo Kayembe could miss most of the month while playing at the African Cup of Nations.

“Of course when an injury happens then you think about the type of injury, how long the player will be out for and so on,” said Ismael.

“With Ngakia we knew from early on that he would be out for a period of time, and we have tried to solve that situation internally with Tom Dele-Bashiru.

“It was important that he plays in that position, so we can see clearly what he gives us in that position but also where he needs to improve.

“Whenever a player goes into a new position, it is always the case that you have to accept mistakes will happen in order for them to get that understanding.

“We have to see the positive side and the strength he can give us in that position.

“If he can bridge the gap in that position until Ngakia is back then that’s perfect, but if it’s not working out then you can go to the market.

“At the minute, it is my feeling that he is able to do the job.”

One rumour that has surfaced in the last couple of days is a loan move to French club Metz for midfielder Imran Louza, but Ismael was dismissive when it was put to him.

“No, that is the first I have heard of that,” he said.