Beppe Sannino says Watford will do their “proper job” when the Championship campaign begins on August 9 but was pleased the Hornets sent their fans home happy after a 1-0 friendly victory at Boreham Wood.

A goal from Matej Vydra was enough to secure a narrow win for the Golden Boys at Meadow Park this evening.

An almost full-strength Watford side started against Wood. Troy Deeney was absent as transfer speculation mounts over his future, Sannino didn’t comment when asked why the Hornets captain wasn’t in the squad.

He did discuss his thoughts on how his side’s pre-season campaign has gone so far and explained: “We have to look at the long-term, to be ready now (in terms of fitness) would be a problem. When we start the Championship season, we will do our proper job.”

He continued: “These friendly matches are for fitness. Sometimes what I see on the pitch is good and sometimes things can be better.

“For me working hard now is important because then we can have a good start to the season.”

Watford created several chances against Wood. Vydra hit the post in the opening 45 minutes while Lewis McGugan struck the crossbar in the second period.

When asked if he was frustrated not to have won the game by a bigger margin, Sannino replied: “I prefer us to score more goals in a competitive match.

"Now it’s important to watch the shape, how compact we are, how we are moving the ball and the positions the players are taking up on the pitch. But a 1-0 win means we and the fans are happy.”

New signing Keith Andrews was not included in the squad against Wood after he completed his season-long loan move from Bolton Wanderers this afternoon.

Sannino said he wants to see the midfielder in action as soon as possible in order to assess his fitness level.

The Hornets head coach said: “He is a serious man and a professional. He has to work a lot now and I want to see him on the pitch in a friendly match so I can see his condition, whether it is good or whether he will have to work a lot.”