Watford captain Troy Deeney moved to slam his "fickle" critics after netting his first goal of the season in the Hornets' win at West Ham.

The 28-year-old skipper has endured a slow start to the campaign since a ninth-minute assist for Etienne Capoue on the opening day of the season at Southampton, but did show glimpses of his ability in the Hornets' home defeat to Arsenal a fortnight ago.

In a week where head coach Walter Mazzarri was forced to defend Deeney's fitness in his pre-match press conference, the captain himself defended his "alright" form - and brushed off any question of being off the pace.

He said: "I think I’ve played alright, that’s about it. I’m in the fortunate position that in the last five years I haven’t played alright many times.

"When I do that for two games, it’s deemed as I’m not fit, I’m not good enough, it’s all the other stuff that they say."

Deeney made a point of focusing on his performance at West Ham, where he curled in a delightful equaliser just before the break in an energetic shift at the London Stadium.

"Football and media are fickle," he said. "If I don’t score today, it’s I’m on a goal drought, I’m not good enough, but I score today and everyone says it’s a good goal and a great performance, Troy’s back.

"I can’t really think like that. I’ve just got to keep my head down, do my work, and make sure my kids are happy."

With little in reserve in the final third for Watford last season, it was little surprise to see reinforcements arrive at Vicarage Road this summer in the striking department.

Those additions will prove useful for more than just bringing depth to the squad, Deeney feels, with both Stefano Okaka and Isaac Success making second-half cameos on Saturday.

He said: "The reinforcements are needed, and it keeps me and Iggy on our toes.

"We were brought off today, neither of us were happy to be taken off but you have to respect the manager’s wishes. 

"Success came on and looked lively, and nearly got himself a goal, and the big man [Okaka] got injured and hopefully it’s not too serious; he looks a real handful."