Malky Mackay claims Watford will keep improving if everyone associated with the club continues to pull in the same direction.

Many pundits tipped the Hornets for relegation this season, but Mackay’s men have enjoyed a superb start to the season and would be second in the Championship had it not been for late goals in recent weeks.

“Our fans have had to endure an awful lot in the last couple of years and in the dark days of December when we nearly went into administration,” Mackay said. “But I think there are people here who care about the club deeply and are trying to do the best for the club, despite the budget we have and despite the fact we have a lot of young players.

“If we all pull together – the players, staff, fans and local media – then things can happen and clubs can only go one way. When things are fractious that is when clubs go wrong.”

There was a moment in the last ten minutes against Millwall which seemed to sum up the kind of spirit Mackay is trying to create at Watford, as John Eustace and Danny Graham gave their all to close down Scott Barron on the halfway line despite their side being 5-1 up.

“That is what I have asked for since day one,” Mackay explained, “we said ‘when you come into training every day give everything you have got and we, as staff, will try and help you in every way’ and I think they have grasped that.

“The players have looked at it and thought ‘I can be a part of something here’. There is a real togetherness, there are no egos and that is why we won the way we did against Millwall, because in the last five minutes I had players trying to shut down a left-back to stop him delivering a ball and then make a 60-yard run back again.

“I get that on a daily basis and that is one of the pillars for me as a manager as far as I am concerned - you will have effort and dedication as a group on a Saturday.”