Troy Deeney understands Watford supporters expect dominant performances from their side at Vicarage Road but hopes the realisation of how difficult the Championship is “will kick in soon”.

The Hornets ended their slump in form, which consisted of four consecutive Championship defeats, with back-to-back victories over Fulham and Wigan Athletic. Deeney has netted five goals in the last two games and proved the difference against the Latics on Saturday.

The 26-year-old suffered a hamstring injury earlier in the campaign which ruled him out for more than a month. He admits he struggled to recapture his goal-scoring touch following his return in September, but is now feeling close to his best.

He said: “I am starting to feel more confident in myself and feel how I felt before the injury. As a team, when we lost four matches everyone thought the world had ended. Now we have won two in a row so we have to be on top of the moon.”

The Hornets captain continued: “There is an expectation when we play at home. Two seasons ago we were dominant here and people have acquired a taste for that.

“So when we drop 5 or 10 per cent below that level, people get frustrated. Hopefully the realisation of how difficult the Championship is to get out will kick in soon.

“Sometimes we will have to dig in deep and win games.”

That was evident against Wigan on Saturday. The Hornets were nowhere near their best but found a way to overcome Malky Mackay’s side. “It’s a cliché but they say that is the mark of a good team,” Deeney said.

“But this is the Championship, if you are not eight out of ten every week you will struggle.” Pressure was building on Slavisa Jokanovic during the Hornets’ poor run of form and questions were asked as to whether the head coach had the full support of his players.

That only intensified when midfielder Keith Andrews, who is no longer training with Watford, spoke publicly about the lack of communication between himself and the Serbian.

Deeney played down talk of a rift between the players after Saturday’s victory. “It’s pretty simple really,” he said. “We have won the last two games, haven’t we?”

And when asked about Andrews, he added: “I like Keith but his opinions are his own opinions. That is it. I am not going to go into the matter because I haven’t said anything and it is nothing to do with me. So I will stay out of it.”