Oscar Garcia believes Watford would have been “comfortable winners” on another day after his Watford reign began with a 1-0 defeat at Charlton Athletic.

The outcome of the match was ultimately decided by Yoni Buyens’ third-minute penalty, awarded after Heurelho Gomes had been adjudged to have brought down Igor Vetokele in the penalty area.

But the Hornets had a very good spot-kick appeal of their own turned down later in the first half when Troy Deeney seemed to have his heels clipped by Tel Ben Haim as he prepared to pull the trigger.

“It wasn’t our day in front of goal,” said Oscar. “On another day we would have been comfortable winners in my opinion.

“I think they were two clear penalties but the ref only gave one. For me, it was a clear penalty. I spoke with Troy and he told me it was a clear penalty.”

However, the Hornets head coach chose not to take issue with referee Andrew Madley’s display, explaining: “He whistled for what he saw and if he didn’t see a penalty he couldn’t give it.”

Despite losing his first game in charge, Oscar was pleased with how his players performed.

Watford Observer:

“It’s my sixth day in charge,” he said, “and we couldn’t train with all of the squad because of international duty, but I am really proud of my players. It’s always going to be difficult when you concede so early on but we gave it everything, kept going and when you have 15 chances to score the only thing you can think is it wasn’t our day in front of goal. But with the players we have up front, I am not worried about this.”

He continued: “We wanted to change the performance, I think we did it. A lot of people told me it was the best game of Watford so far this season, the best performance and that makes me proud because after only five days in charge I think we can improve a lot and I’m sure, on another day, we would have been comfortable winners with the chances we created.”

Watford switched to various formations during the game as they sought to get back on terms and Oscar, who revealed Keith Andrews had sustained a calf injury in the warm-up which led to Lewis McGugan’s late inclusion, explained: “I wanted to start like they were playing but after 20 minutes Charlton were playing very comfortable with the ball. I don’t like that, I prefer to take the ball, to take the game to the opposition and in my opinion we deserved much more from this game.”