Former Watford midfielder Jonathan Hogg believes Troy Deeney was unfortunate to be sent off in Watford’s 4-1 defeat to Huddersfield Town.

Deeney was shown a straight red card by Michael Oliver after a reckless lunge with just over half an hour played on Saturday.

Hogg, who also saw red for two bookable offences, questioned the decision to dismiss Deeney, as well as suggesting he should not have been sent off.

“To be fair I thought the cards were soft today, I really did. I thought Troy getting sent off was soft as well,” Hogg, who spent two seasons at Vicarage Road, said.

“I think the referee thought he made a mistake and tried to even it up in my opinion. I am not the happiest because it meant me getting sent off and it is one of those where I have been hard done by.

“The sending off was not ideal but it is more important to get the three points at this stage of the season.”

Huddersfield came into Saturday’s game without a goal in their last seven Premier League away games – a run they emphatically ended against an abject Watford.

Watford’s own form has taken a dive in recent weeks and the loss to the Terriers leaves them with one point from their last five games.

With this in mind, Town arrived in Hertfordshire knowing they could force a result against a side manager David Wagner believes is among the top flight’s better outfits.

“We knew they were on a bit of bad form but the boss said they were one of the best teams in the league other than the top six,” he said.

“We know they have some quality players and if they turn up on the day they can sink anyone.

“We stuck to our game plan, which certainly worked, and I think we caught them off guard to be honest.”