Quique Sanchez Flores says Troy Deeney is an amazing captain and person and an example for the rest of the Watford dressing room to follow.

Deeney, who made Hornets history last term by becoming the first player in the club’s history to score 20 goals in three consecutive seasons, played in a withdrawn role in Saturday’s 1-0 win over Swansea City – Watford’s first in the Premier League.

The two-time Watford Observer Player of the Season lined up behind Odion Ighalo – rather than vice versa – in a more conventional front two and Flores praised the attitude of last season’s 21-goal top scorer in transitioning to his new role.

He said: “He is happy. In life that is his attitude. He is always happy and always acts like a captain. He leads in the dressing room and transmits his feelings well.

“We have an amazing captain and an amazing person in Troy Deeney. He is always an example for the other players.”

Flores had been criticised by some Watford fans for persisting with Deeney as a lone striker whilst Ighalo, match winner against the Swans, played behind him as a number ten.

But the Spaniard altered the set-up against Garry Monk’s side and said: “Before that match we thought after training Ighalo should be closer to the goal. He had found it easier to score.

“We don’t have an obsession that Deeney needs to score so we moved Deeney into another part of the pitch where he can have more of the ball.”

Asked if Deeney was untouchable in his starting XI, Flores replied: “Deeney is a big reference in the dressing room and on that pitch. That has been the situation for many years.

“It is difficult to name the match-day squad list but I prefer to have that hard situation,” said Flores.