Watford head coach Quique Sanchez Flores admits he is no closer to knowing who will start the Hornets' opening Premier League game at Everton next weekend. 

In seven days the Golden Boys will walk out at Goodison Park to take on the Toffees with the first points of the season on the line.

Watford have recruited heavily this summer to ensure the side have the best possible chance of surviving in the top flight.

However, that has made Flores’ job harder as the constant new arrivals have had to be integrated into the squad on a weekly basis. 

And, perhaps as a result, the Golden Boys have lost their final two pre-season friendlies - the last of which came yesterday against Sevilla.

After the 1-0 defeat  the Watford Observer asked Flores if he was any closer to knowing who would start against Everton.

He said: “I don’t know, we have one week more and it is difficult. We are incorporating players every week which is good news but that makes it difficult because we are then having to explain to the new players what we want from them in the system, the model and the way we want to play.

“As a collective we are really happy. Today we played a deeper defensive line in the first half and it was difficult to stop their players. They have amazing players. 

“In the second half we played with high pressure and a different style. We then got better results and maybe we played better in the second half with the ball. The sensations and feelings after the game are good.”

He continued: “We are trying to create a good balance between defence and attack. I wasn’t that happy with the football in the first half because after we won the ball we then rushed and we lost possession and the chance to build the play.

“I understand the players need to make mistakes in order to advance. So I am not very sad.”