Watford midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure admits it took time for him to develop a partnership with Etienne Capoue.
The pair have become one of the more fearsome central midfield duos in the Premier League this season, playing an instrumental role in Watford's currently sitting in seventh position.
"At the beginning we were in competition because we both played the same position and we didn't talk too much, but after one or two years it is different," Doucoure said.
"In football sometimes when you are in competition with other players you do not talk too much. I was out of the team and maybe our relationship wasn't the best.
"I didn't play with Mazzarri and won my place with Marco Silva. Etienne then regained his with Javi Gracia and we have been through similar situations.
"Now we play and train together the relationship we have is much better. At the moment, Etienne and I are doing very well."