There are only 10 days to the first door on advent calendars, a little more than a month to Christmas and just over five weeks to the opening of the January transfer window.

The Hornets are currently sixth in the Championship table, and regarded as something of a surprise package by the pundits and media although Tom Cleverley was adamant from the summer that the play-offs were a realistic aim.

Of course there are nine games between now and the transfer business beginning, but clearly there will be hope and expectation that the head coach will be given the support he feels he needs to strengthen his squad.

“We are in constant contact and I think that’s one of the advantages of having such a present owner and board,” said Cleverley.

“It’s clear what my targets are as the leader, and everyone is on board with that.

“It’s a moving landscape but we’re all driving in the same direction: we want to finish as high up the league as we possibly can.

“If we’re still here in a month’s time then I’m sure we’ll be supported accordingly.”

The top six are only separated by two wins, and there are only six points between 13th place and the play-off positions.

It is a very open looking Championship.

“I think Middlesbrough have been the stand-out team we’ve played this season and I expect them to be a real challenger,” said Cleverley.

“We can only focus on ourselves though.

“It was easy to create targets for each block of games up to the international breaks, but now a little less so though I think we can look longer term.

“Our ambitions are to finish in the top six.”

One key figure will be Giorgi Chakvetadze, the Hornets' stand-out performer so far this season.

The Georgian recently signed a new contract and if Watford are to maintain a place inside the top six then Chakvetadze is going to be a major factor.

“From my own playing experience you don’t want to boost a player up too much, but I think Giorgi has the characteristics and the professionalism to be able to handle praise and expectations,” said Cleverley.

“He is a fantastic player and the way he carries the ball reminds me of a young Jack Grealish when I played with him at Aston Villa.

“He is an excellent ball carrier and if he adds goals to his game he has no ceiling.

“His ball manipulation and his awareness of where defenders are really at a high level.

“We feel we’re using him in the best way and the next thing is how we turn his great performances into goal productivity.

“I love working with him, and creating game plans around him.

“He’s a fantastic person and professional, and because of that he’ll fulfil his potential.”

The Hornets head coach gave a little insight into his thoughts around the need to improve the way the team press opponents.

“If we look at our side and how we want to go long term for the project, we want to be a team that pressures sides higher up the pitch.

“In a back three or five, whatever you want to call it, then it’s difficult to do that because you lose a winger who can be the first line of engagement.

“That’s something we’ve not quite got to the bottom of, and we are working really hard as a staff to do so.

“There is a lot of research going into it and looking at what suits our players.

“You have to be extremely efficient to have an out-of-possession structure that fits all.

“A lot of teams go to the 4-4-2 block and try to be efficient in that shape.

“It is something that is a work in progress for us, and we are working extremely hard to improve out of possession and to stop things at source from coming into our box.

“Then, when it does, we need to improve our box defending also.”