Malky Mackay believes the relationship between his management team and the players is helping to “drive Watford forward”.

The Hornets boss was speaking after his side scored three goals in the opening 20 minutes on Saturday to set them on their way to victory over big-spending Middlesbrough.

“I think the first half an hour of play was as good as I have seen at home,” Mackay said.

“It shows that what they have been doing on the training field and at the training ground as a whole follows through on to the pitch and you get results like that.

“Momentum can gather and there is certainly a great togetherness among the squad but I think the work the staff put in for the players at the training ground in every department, comes to fruition on the pitch on days like today.

“Players have been open-minded to everything that goes on at the training ground in terms of what they are asked to do and the way they train is then culminating in performances on the pitch and that is what I am most pleased about at the moment.

“There is a real togetherness between the staff and the players and that momentum can then drive you forward.”

Danny Graham scored two against his former club on Saturday to take his total for the season to eight in all competitions.

Mackay believes the 25-year-old’s influence is also rubbing off on his two strike partners.

He said: “I think the work Danny has put in since he arrived here culminates in 14 goals last year and he has started where he left off in the last few weeks of the season.

“He is now someone who feels he is one of the main men in the team and that is showing in his training and in his performances in games. He is leading the front line and helping young Marvin Sordell all the time and also Troy Deeney, who is a youngster who has come into the club as well.”

Middlesbrough manager Gordon Strachan was heard shouting at his side during half time but he had little to say to the media during his press conference.

Strachan was asked if he was confident he could propel Boro up the table, “it is a strange league,” he simply replied. Are you confident you have the players to climb the table though, “we will soon find out,” was his response.

The Scot was then asked what he thought of his players' reaction in the second half and said “it doesn't count.” When pressed to expand further he claimed: “It is like me playing nine holes of goal and thinking I will go back out and try it again, it doesn't count.”

So was he angry with his side's performance, “have a guess,” was his reply.