Watford head coach Quique Sanchez Flores says he understands players’ disappointment when they are left out of his side after Jose Holebas seemingly vented his frustration on social media at being left out against Bournemouth.

The Greek international was only named on the substitutes’ bench against Bournemouth on Saturday, with Nathan Ake starting at left-back, despite producing a man-of-the-match performance a week earlier against Leeds United.

On Saturday evening Holebas posted a picture on social media website Instagram which simply read: “#sickofthiss**t”. The post was later deleted.

While some head coaches would take a dim view of a player apparently voicing their disillusionment on social media, Flores was relaxed about Holebas’ post when speaking to the media this morning.

“I don’t follow the social net,” he said. “That is what it is for though, it’s for people to express their feelings.

“In that moment that is how he felt. In an instant later he might be thinking differently. I understand when the players are not playing they have strong feelings. The mood of players changes when they are playing or if they are not.”

Flores continued: “Holebas has played matches in the last month. The situation three months ago was Ake was in the first XI and Holebas wasn’t in the team.

“But in the last month and a half, Holebas and Ake have been swapped in the first XI. Holebas played at the start of the year when Ake was sent off.

“I don’t know how many matches they have both played but I mix them a lot. Holebas is a player who I consider has played a lot.

“But in seven days we are playing three matches. And Leicester City and Bournemouth are two of the best teams in terms of physical levels. So we have to use a lot of energy in those matches.

“He (Holebas) is an important player and we are really happy with the performance of the two left-backs we have in the squad.”