Pollock:

The centre-back claims that two defeats on the road last week have not damaged that sense of camaraderie, praising head coach Alessio Dionisi's role in bring everybody together.

More: Dionisi has Watford competing - but fitness uncertainty holds them back

Pollock took over as club captain in the summer and much has been made of the culture shift he has been charged with helping to oversee, after he spoke in the summer of being prepared to upset people to move things in the right direction.

And ahead of two big home games against Preston North End and Stoke City this week, he insists there is a hunger to put more points on the board.

He said: "There have been times when we've had to step in as players but, to be honest, half the time things have been addressed before it becomes a situation.

"There haven't been any issues where it's gone on and on, it's been nipped in the bud early doors, and the manager's got the players going in the right direction.

"It's good craic in the dressing room. The lads are honestly all getting on - this is the first time I've had my missus ringing me to tell me to come home instead of the other way around, when I'm home straight after training.

Mattie Pollock in action at Wrexham (Image: Alan Cozzi/Watford FC)

"There's a real good feeling. If I have to upset people then that's part of football, but a lot of the lads are speaking in the changing room and pulling people into line.

"This is my sixth season and I haven't really seen that before. Lads who have been a little bit quieter in previous years have really stepped up, people like Hector [Kyprianou] and Marc Bola - and even Stephy Mavididi, who is a proper leader.

"I've been really surprised with how they've stepped up and made my life a lot easier."

More: Dionisi thought Watford deserved more at West Brom

Pollock believes that the performance at West Brom on Saturday - where it was widely considered that they deserved a point - points to progress, agreeing that it was chalk and cheese compared to the 3-0 defeat at the same ground in April.

He said: "100%. I think it shows how together the team are, how hard we're willing to work for the manager and club, and it's so refreshing to be part of.

"We're going into games knowing that if something goes against us the boys aren't going to throw the towel in. We're going to keep working as hard as we can to try and change it.

"I've been here long enough to know that going 2-0 down early at Swansea can end up being a bit of a disaster. By the end of that game we came out probably deserving more than getting beat 2-0.

"I think we've played really well, we've just come up short, but we've shown teams what we're about. There's plenty to be happy about but I'm as frustrated as everybody else that the result haven't quite come.

"I think the fans are respecting it. I said in the changing room after the game at West Brom that that's the first time I've been here at Watford that we've been clapped off after a defeat."

Alessio Dionisi (Image: Alan Cozzi/Watford FC)

Pollock is clear that Dionisi has set the tone, though, and claims he is buying into the coach even more every day, despite results having not followed performances in the last week.

He said: "My belief in him is probably stronger now than in the summer.

"I have full trust in the gaffer, the whole team do. We love working under him. He's a great man, a great manager and the lads are buzzing.

"Even the new lads coming in have straight away really taken to him.

"We're dying to get him three points and the lads are ready to run through brick walls for him.

"I'm really loving it. He's a good manager, his tactics are good and we have a real identity in what we're doing.

"We've just got to make sure now that we start winning games."

Mattie Pollock applauds the Watford fans (Image: Alan Cozzi/Watford FC)

The captaincy seems to sit right with Pollock, who has made a big impression in the changing room and among supporters since he took the armband.

He said: "I'm really happy to be captain and I'll do everything in my power to make sure the lads stick together and that we're working throughout the whole game.

"You've seen at the weekend when there were situations that the lads are fighting for each other and we're fighting for the club.

"Unfortunately we came up short at the weekend but if we can start scoring the goals and putting things right then it can still be an exciting season."