Will Hughes believes happiness is the key to Watford’s success this season and that Xisco Munoz’s infectious positivity provided the turning point that helped the Hornets return to the Premier League.

The midfielder said that, as much as tactics and shape are important, the main thing Munoz was able to provide was a dressing room full of happy players, wanting to do their best for their coach.

It is that mentality that Hughes feels carried them back to the top flight.

“It’s a simple thing to say but I think he just put a smile on people’s faces,” he said. “And I think that’s half the battle of keeping players happy when there’s only 11 places up for grabs. 

“If you’ve got a squad of 25 to 30 it’s very difficult to keep everyone motivated and happy but I think he’s done that really well. Everyone wants to work for him and work for each other and I think you can see that not only in the results but in the performances and the way we’re playing since he’s come in.”

That positivity has persuaded Hughes that there is no other club he wants to be at and the midfielder claimed he wants to extend his current deal at Vicarage Road.

Currently he has one more year remaining on his contract, but is expecting his representatives and the club to come to an agreement that extends his stay.

“I’m really happy here, I’m settled, back in the Premier League. There’s nothing better and that’s how I want it to remain. It’s as simple as that,” said Hughes. “There’s no thoughts in my head about not me moving elsewhere.

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“That’s in my agent’s and the club’s hands. That’s not something I’m really concerned about and it’s not something that I’ve really thought about. I’ll give my all for Watford until my contract is up.”

For now Hughes is looking forward to putting this season behind him, relaxing for the next few months and preparing to start all over again in the Premier League in August.

“Last week was a bit of a whirlwind and quite overwhelming but I think we’ve got to get on with this season, get it over and done with and then prepare for next season. 

“It’s been a long hard slog, this season, with ups and downs but thankfully we have come out and we’ve got we’ve got [promotion] done before the last game because I think it would have been quite a nervy way to finish, needing to get result to get promoted.”

The pressure was obviously off last weekend as the Hornets were beaten away at Brentford in a game where both sides clearly had little to play for.

Hughes admits that the team were perhaps still recovering from their celebrations as they conceded twice.

“I think it’s as easy as we were a bit  hungover from the week before,” he said. “All the excitement, the promotion. It was kind of an end of season game where there’s not much to play for both sides. 

“That’s not to say that we didn’t give it our all. I just don’t think we were at the races and that’s to be expected at this point in the season after what we’ve achieved.”