You just never know what type of performance you will get from Watford this season. On their day the Hornets can be a dynamic attacking force which opposition sides can’t deal with.

At Huddersfield Town the other Watford turned up. The Watford that struggle to defend and struggle to dominate possession. The Watford that was well beaten.

The final score was 3-1 to the Terriers. The Golden Boys were briefly level for a short period in the game through Odion Ighalo but it wasn’t truly deserved.

Huddersfield had dominated the opening period but couldn’t find the opener. But Nahki Wells broke the deadlock shortly after the restart before Ighalo equalised.

But the home side wanted this more in the driving rain and wind. James Vaughan put the Terriers back in front before Joel Lynch added a deserved third. It was a fair result.

Before the game Slavisa Jokanovic said it was back to real life for his side after their FA Cup trip to Chelsea last weekend.

He made four changes to his starting XI. Almen Abdi, Matej Vydra and Heurelho Gomes returned to the starting XI whilst new signing Miguel Layun made his debut at right wing-back with Juan Carlos Paredes dropping to the bench.

Huddersfield started the game brightly and, bar a Vydra shot which was blocked, Watford spent the opening ten minutes defending.

Sean Scannell caused constant problems down the Hornets’ left flank. He fired an early strike wide before drilling a cross-cum-shot over.

The Terriers dominated the opening period and Watford were unable to get out of their half for large spells.

Vaughan was a constant threat for the hosts. He should have given Huddersfield the lead when he broke through on goal but could only direct his shot over the crossbar. Wells then forced Gomes into a reaction save with a header.

With Watford penned back, they resorted to hopeful passes forward. One nearly paid off. Gomes’ long ball was won by Deeney. He flicked on for Gianni Munari and the Italian forced Alex Smithies into a good stop. It was a bright moment in a disappointed half.

Meanwhile, the chances kept coming for Huddersfield. Vaughan sent a shot well over from the edge of the area - he should have done better - whilst Wells headed tamely into the arms of Gomes from close range.

In stoppage time the Terriers again came close. Jacob Butterfield collected a pass on the edge of the area and unleashed a powerful shot which Gomes reacted well to hold on to.

The half time whistle sounded soon after. Watford somehow went into the break level.

Jokanovic undoubtedly had a few choice words for his side at the interval and the Hornets started the second period brightly.

A neat counter attack saw Layun denied a debut goal by Smithies before Daniel Pudil flashed a cross along the six-yard line which nobody could take advantage of.

After their malaise in the opening half, Watford looked sharp. But just as they were starting to threaten Huddersfield scored.

The Terriers attacked down the left flank and Butterfield was allowed room to cross. His low delivery wasn’t dealt with by the Hornets defence, the ball dropped to Wells and he swept his strike into the corner.

Chris Powell’s men didn’t sit back. They continued to pepper the Watford box with crosses, mainly from Robinson. One nearly caught out Gomes but the ball just evaded his post.

Just after the hour mark, Jokanovic made a triple substitution. Jonathan Bond replaced the injured Gomes in goal, Ikechi Anya came on for Daniel Pudil whilst the ineffective Vydra made way for Ighalo.

And just two minutes after his introduction the Nigerian striker pulled Watford level.

There seemed little danger when he advanced down the Huddersfield left and sent a tame shot towards Smithies.

However, the goalkeeper failed to collect the ball which squirmed through his legs and trickled over the line.

With both sides searching for a lead, the game opened up. Deeney was forced to hack an Oscar Gobern header off his goalline before the Hornets wasted a glorious opportunity to go in front.

Abdi brought the ball forward and the Huddersfield defence opened. He advanced and was one-on-one with Smithies but the usually calm midfielder rushed his shot and it cleared the crossbar by some distance.

Less than two minutes later Huddersfield were in front. The Terriers attacked through Wells down the Hornets right flank and he crossed.

Vaughan managed to get in front of Craig Cathcart and his deft flick found the corner.

Watford looked despondent. Their threat going forward disappeared and, with eight minutes remaining, Huddersfield added a third.

A corner was delivered into the Hornets penalty area and wasn’t cleared. The ball eventually dropped to Lynch who quickly adjusted and hit an overhead kick past Bond via the crossbar.

The Hornets attempted a fight-back in the closing minutes but Huddersfield defended well. The hosts weren’t going to let a two-goal lead slip.

The defeat sees Watford drop back down to sixth in the Championship. They remain in the play-off positions but didn’t look anything like the promotion contenders they hope to be.

Next week they may though. And that’s the frustrating thing if you’re a Hornets fan.

Huddersfield Town: Smithies; Lynch, Hudson, Smith; Scannell, Coady, Butterfield, Gobern, Robinson; Vaughan (Lolley 90), Wells.

Huddersfield Town: substitutes: Allinson, Dixon, Crooks, Billing, Pletier, Majewski.

Watford: Gomes (Bond 63); Hoban, Cathcart, Angella; Layun, Abdi, Tozser, Munari, Pudil (Anya 63); Vydra (Ighalo 63) Deeney.

Watford substitutes: Paredes, Smith, Murray, Doherty.