Matej Vydra was told by Hornets head coach Slavisa Jokanovic that he had to work harder for the team if he was to command a place. The striker took the advice at the end of last year on board, responded accordingly and on Saturday reaped the rewards as his two goals won the game at Leeds United.

Vydra was Watford’s marquee summer signing. It was hoped he would be the man, alongside Troy Deeney, to fire the club into the Premier League.

But poor form and the drastic improvement in Odion Ighalo resulted in the Czech Republic international dropping out of the starting XI.

While Ighalo – who has now scored 17 goals this season – was grabbing most of the headlines alongside Deeney, Vydra was improving, working harder and impressing his boss.

He was rewarded with a start at Bolton Wanderers and although he had to drop out of the team once again, injury to Ighalo handed him another opportunity at Elland Road on Saturday. He took it.

Jokanovic said: “He must be happy with his performance and he must be happy with his two goals. I am really happy with how he participated in the [Leeds] game.

“He is fighting, defending and he believes in himself and his teammates. That is good news for me.

“At this stage of the Championship I am now going to be depending on my squad. I believe my players understand that. That is the most positive thing to come out of this game.”