Watford's stand-in skipper Adrian Mariappa believes that if Lloyd Doyley ever scores then it is destined to be a 40-yard screamer which will lift the roof off Vicarage Road.

Doyley has been a professional twice as long as Mariappa and has played more than twice as many games as the 23-year-old. But while Mariappa scored his second Hornets goal in his 100th league appearance on Friday, Doyley had to watch a header go agonisingly wide as his search for a first Watford goal continues.

Since his conversion to left back last season, Doyley has been getting closer to opening his account and almost finished off an excellent move he started against Wednesday.

But, instead, the 26-year-old extended his record of making the most appearances for Watford by an outfield player without scoring.

Mariappa said: "Lloyd has been getting stick for a few years now so when he does score I am sure it will be a 40-yard screamer. Hopefully he gets one soon.

"I think the Vicarage Road roof will be lifted off, so when he scores, if he scores, then I hope it is at home."

Mariappa's own goalscoring record is not the most prolific either, netting twice in 123 appearances in all competitions, and the utility defender admitted he had become concerned about when his first goal of the season would arrive.

He said: "I have had a few chances to score this season and I was starting to think 'when is it going to come' but I am glad I got the goal."

The Watford Academy graduate has been captain in recent months due to the absence of Jay DeMerit and manager Malky Mackay has been full of praise for him since he took the armband.

Mariappa claims he is just delighted to be part of a successful side but admitted being captain for last week's victory over Sheffield Wednesday did provide him with an added sense of pride.

He said: "I think no matter whether you're captain or not, as long as you are involved in the team, you’re always happy when you're winning.

"Obviously it is big for me to be captain and I am loving every minute of it, so winning like that does bring me an added bonus."

Mariappa was delighted following the 4-1 win and believes the "great quality" the squad possesses was "on show for everyone to see".

He said: "The scoreline speaks for itself and we deserved it and we played some great football and defended well. So we thoroughly deserved the victory.

"We have got some great quality in the squad and today it was on show for everyone to see and we stepped up to the mark."

On-loan midfielders Tom Cleverley and Henri Lansbury have received all the plaudits following the win for their creativity and flair but Mariappa was eager to state the pair are team players also.

"You can see they are very talented but they are great team players as well," Mariappa said, "which is why they are in the team first and foremost and then their quality shines through for all to see."