Troy Deeney felt Watford “started to look like a real team again” against Fulham but insisted the victory at Craven Cottage will count for little if they are unable to beat Wigan Athletic this Saturday.

The Hornets’ dominant 5-0 win over the Cottagers ended a run of four consecutive defeats and lifted Slavisa Jokanovic’s side back into the play-off positions.

Strugglers Wigan Athletic, who are managed by former Watford boss Malky Mackay, are the visitors to Vicarage Road this weekend and Deeney said it is vital the Golden Boys build on their last performance.

“It (the Fulham match) is only a stepping stone if we win the next game,” the Hornets captain explained after Friday’s victory.

“We have a tough game against Wigan to come. They keep the ball and are very compact. We’ll have to be on our game but we fancy ourselves at home.

“We started to look like our old selves (against Fulham). Almen Abdi was top drawer and Matej Vydra was top drawer even though he didn’t get his goal.

“His runs in behind were causing all sorts of problems. We started to look like a real team again.”

Deeney felt Watford’s run of defeats prior to their victory at Fulham did not reflect the performances from the side.

He accepted the Hornets must be more clinical in games but added: “The fans only get to see the weekend but the attitude and application over the last two weeks has been top drawer.

“We felt like we were due a big performance in the next few weeks and we could have had seven, eight, nine. 

“There are still things we need to work on but we’ll take the positives from a 5-0 win and crack on.

“I’m confident that we’re going to kick on now. Everyone can recharge their batteries over the weekend and then we have a full week ready for the Wigan game.”