One of Watford’s assistant coaches believes the club’s players wanted to secure three points against Blackpool for Oscar Garcia but stated winning for their absent head coach was not used as motivation in the pre-match team talk.

Oscar missed his second game in charge of the Hornets after the 41-year-old was admitted to hospital on Sunday evening with minor chest pains.

Ruben Martinez and his fellow assistant coach, Javier Pereira, led the team at Bloomfield Road last night as they recorded a 1-0 victory.

Martinez said: “I am very happy for the squad, the team and the fans – to say thank you for all their support. I am also happy for Oscar and I think all the squad wanted to give him this victory.”

But when asked if Oscar’s situation was used as motivation in the team talk before the match, Martinez replied: “No. The players don’t need this kind of motivation. They know the situation and they played very well for themselves, for the fans, for Oscar and for their families.”

He continued: “I thought we played really well in moments and had a lot of chances, like we did at Charlton (when Watford lost 1-0 on Saturday).

“It is true that we got lucky because they missed a penalty in the last ten minutes but we could have killed the game before that.

“The Blackpool goalkeeper (Joe Lewis) was the best player in the match and you can say no more.”

The deciding goal was scored by Matej Vydra from the penalty spot.

It was the 22-year-old’s first goal in seven matches for his club and country – his only other goal this season came on the opening day against Bolton Wanderers.

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Martinez said: “It is important for a striker or a second striker to score goals. In this game, Vydra had fun and for his confidence this is important. But the first step is working for the team.

“For sure the goals are coming for him, and for Troy (Deeney), (Lloyd) Dyer, (Ikechi) Anya – everybody.”

“Yes [Vydra has impressed in training], like other players have. We have a big squad with very good players,” Martinez added.

Deeney, Watford’s captain, usually takes the team’s penalties but he appeared to let Vydra have this spot kick.

“There wasn’t a plan. It is up to the confidence of the player; about how he is playing,” Martinez said.

When it was pointed out Deeney usually takes Watford’s penalties and the media were wondering if he had allowed Vydra to have this one in a gesture of good will - with the Czech Republic international seemingly short of confidence - Martinez replied: “Maybe [that happened]. But I’m not sure. It is down to what you are feeling on the pitch.”

Watford created a host of chances last night and could have won by a far greater margin.

However, their failure to cope with several set pieces from Blackpool was of concern and resulted in a number of opportunities for the home team.

Martinez said: “Maybe we have to improve these kinds of things (the set pieces) but [on the whole] we defended really well. We have to analyse these things and try to decide on a solution.”