Watford boss fumes at "lazy attitude" after five stars arrived late for training
Valerien Ismail clocked on as Watford's latest game show contestant with a damning appraisal of the squad's “lazy attitude” and dismal timekeeping.
The Hornets' 11th boss in 45 months was shocked when FIVE players turned up late for his first day of training. And after recommending a wholesale cull, with 14 players sold, released or shipped out on loan, Ismael starts yet another new era at Vicarage Road admitting: “The board was unhappy, not only about the results but the way things happened.”
Watford used more players than any other club in the Championship last season, a reflection of their colossal injury toll after Christmas and three different head coaches – Rob Edwards, Slaven Bilic and Chris Wilder – all struggling to get a tune out of a bloated, over-rated squad.
Forwards Joao Pedro and Ismaila Sarr, almost £50 million for the pair, led the summer exodus and Ismael, 47, puts his new regime to the test against Queen's Park Rangers in Saturday's curtain-raiser.
He revealed: “From day one, when I met the board, we spoke about the mentality and it was clear that if you wanted to change the mindset, you needed a clear-out and to bring in players who were more hungry, with more desire and more ready to prove something.
Watford leading the way off the pitch on Green Football Weekend by adding bees
“On the first day of training, five players came too late. Maybe it was an old habit, but now every player is punctual. We put rules in place to change the lazy attitude and for them to understand you are here to perform and be professional.
“It's a privilege to be a professional footballer, so make sure you have the right attitude when you come in every day. That was the message, and now we are satisfied. Everyone is motivated by a big desire and the second step is to make a strong start, but the truth is on the pitch.
Watford face QPR on Saturday (Getty Images)“All the players going out was a clear decision taken with the board. We knew exactly what we wanted to do and that we needed to change a lot, so there was going to be a transition, but we still have good quality in the squad.
“The board gave me the feeling that I am the right manager for the club. It's difficult to promise a lot of things, but the team we send on to the pitch will play with high intensity, energy and we will play good football as well – now it is all about the attitude.
“In the Championship it's not always the best teams in the play-offs or going up, it's the teams with a big mentality and big togetherness.
“Yes, we have lost quality but I think we win a lot of mentality, togetherness, work ethic, a big desire to do better. The players were not satisfied about last season and they are ready to take ownership and responsibility for that.”
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