Taking chances was key at Loftus Road on Sunday, as QPR spurned several and Watford found the net with their only two on-target efforts of the game.

It was a case of ‘winning ugly’, a victory that was more about resilience and character than it was about free-flowing football and creating chance after chance.

“It was a great away performance in a game where I think we saw everything,” said Valerien Ismael.

“In the first half we were under control and were stable. We played well, but didn’t really have the big chances to score.

“But at least we were under control and were calm.

“At half time we said to the boys there were two things we needed to change in the second half: stop making mistakes because we were giving the ball away and creating momentum for QPR, and then to have more shots on target.

“To make sure we have the possibility to score goals, we have to be taking shots.”

Those words about stopping the mistakes must still have been echoing in the players’ ears when, from the kick-off, Francisco Sierralta was dispossessed by Rangers’ powerful striker Sinclair Armstrong and raced through on goal.

“I think we were lucky right at the beginning of the second half but also Ben made a big save, again though it was from our own mistake,” Ismael said.

“Other than that I felt we were solid, and scored a goal at a good moment.

“After that we had to stay solid because away from home you cannot afford the opponent to lift the crowd by creating chances.”

Having got a second goal, Watford looked to have taken the life out of the home side, until they pulled one back when Lyndon Dykes was left unmarked to score from virtually on the goalline.

“When you play away you cannot expect to avoid everything,” Ismael pointed out.

“And it was an unlucky situation because the ball was deflected and that made it change direction and go up in the air.

“The main thing then was that it was important to stay strong and not concede again. If you do concede, then it becomes a different match and it’s game on for the opponent.

“Sometimes it is good to have a game like we had today. At the end we had to show fighting spirit and togetherness, and you will need that through the season.

“It’s not enough to be nice to watch. We have to be effective and sometimes we have to fight and be ruthless.”

The result means Watford have taken 18 points from the last 27 possible on the road, and their only defeat in those nine games was to clear league leaders Leicester City.

All of a sudden the Hornets appear to know what is required of them in away matches and, critically, are willing and able to do it.

Let’s not forget, when Watford won at Swansea in October it was their first away win since January 2. They couldn’t buy an away win in between.

“Yes, but now we need to carry this on,” Ismael made clear.

“We’re in the second half of the season, and every minute of every game really counts.

“In each game you can do something that will make a big difference, and you have to make sure that if you want to get into the top six then you need to maintain the momentum.”