Nigel Pearson is aware results are paramount in Watford’s predicament but says the Hornets must “be brave enough to go out there and perform” as they aim to climb away from danger at the Premier League basement.

The new head coach took his first training session yesterday as he prepares his side for a tough first assignment, a trip to Premier League leaders Liverpool on Saturday lunchtime.

Pearson’s teams are known for their battling qualities, but he also wants Watford to demonstrate their ability and deliver the calibre of displays he believes they are capable of as they set about trying to bridge the six-point gap to safety.

“First and foremost, I want the players to commit to themselves,” he responded when asked what fans can expect from one of his team when he spoke in his lengthy interview with the club.

“I want to be successful, it’s always relative of course. I want us to play with spirit and commitment and bring the quality to the performances that I know we’ve got.

“I think it’s more about the results at the moment for sure and we’ve got so show some fighting spirit and be brave enough to go out there and perform.”

Pearson is known for his leadership qualities and is widely perceived as having a no-nonsense approach, but he said: Well, I’ll let you make that judgement on me. I don’t look in the mirror and say stuff like that to myself, I don’t really like looking at myself to be fair.

“I think it’s important to have a bit of clarity about how you work and you talk about working with players. I like people to enjoy coming into work and doing what they are doing but there needs to be a framework and that means that players know when they’re working and when they’re having a bit of fun.

“We need to work at the moment and we’ve got a lot of work to do and we’ve got a responsibility to ourselves to do everything in our power to get out of the situation were in. Nobody else will do it for us and we’ve got to contribute the best way possible.”