Compulsory yoga sessions, fines of up to £100 a minute for being late to training and three meetings a week, every week, to analyse the next opponents.

The exact time players arrive at Watford’s training ground, just off the M25, is logged on an Ipad at the gatehouse, just in case there is any dispute if they are fined. Head coach Javi Gracia does not get involved – even though he is, punctually, at his desk at 7am every day as he prepares his squad.

Unusually in the Premier League the Watford players work the full four days before every game and while Gracia gives them time off – those not involved in international duty have just enjoyed a long weekend – there are double sessions also. There was one on Tuesday this week.

And there is lots of yoga. It, like punctuality, politeness – he shakes everyone’s hand every morning - and nutrition, is regarded as key for Gracia who has interestingly put his stamp on Watford this season partly through a new, hefty fines system.

Having arrived to successfully fire-fight towards Premier League survival last January the 48-year-old Spaniard has become the first Watford head coach to end a season, take pre-season and be in charge of the new campaign since 2014. That continuity has helped.