Gerard Deulofeu insisted that Watford’s players need to improve their “character” following last night’s 2-0 defeat away at Leicester City.

The Hornets were playing their first game since the departure of Quique Sanchez Flores, with under-23’s coach Hayden Mullins in interim charge of the first team.

After the game, Deulofeu explained that the players need to change their attitude and not rely solely on different managers and systems to change their fortunes.

He told the club website: “We have to improve our football, our character. We can have lots of coaches and system but the most important thing is the players change our attitude and try to get points every week.

“We can’t be nervous when we go on the pitch. For me, what we have to do is work hard because even to win one game in the Premier League is really tough.

“The coach said to us today that we have to have energy and power, and today we changed a little bit of our character so Saturday we have to do even more.”

The Foxes broke the deadlock in the second half after Jamie Vardy scored from the penalty spot following a foul by Adam Masina, but Deulofeu felt the awarding of a penalty was harsh.

He said: “Today I think we worked hard against a tough team and we were good until the penalty, which changed it all.

“It was a tough decision and I don’t think here in the Premier League it’s possible to say this is a penalty.

“Okay, you can say Watford have to play better and I agree with this, but also last week against Southampton VAR agreed there was a handball, so little things are changing a lot for us.”