Watford head coach Xisco Munoz has said he will stand by striker Andre Gray despite his continued poor run of form.

The forward missed several good chances in the Hornets' 1-0 win over Barnsley on Tuesday night and has not scored since a win over Coventry as far back as November 7.

Last season was not any better for Gray, who scored just twice in 27 appearances in all competitions, while providing just one assist.

The Watford boss said he understood what the striker was going through and that he would continue to support him and try to help him rediscover his goalscoring talent.

"I'm really happy with him," said Munoz. "I also was a striker when I was a player and I know sometimes this happens, you have the chance and maybe not score. The most important, he has big ambition. The most important he continues, try, try, try, because he's a very good striker, and I'm sure we can celebrate together one goal.

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"He has all my support. 100 per cent, he has all my support. For me he is an excellent striker and I repeat, I'm sure soon he will score."

Munoz also singled out captain Troy Deeney for praise, after the striker won and scored the game's winning penalty.

In typical Deeney fashion, the number nine pelted the ball straight down the middle and while goalkeeper Jack Walton made contact with the ball, the strike was simply too powerful for him to keep out.

The Spaniard joked that he would not allow his goalkeepers to practice penalties with Deeney to prevent them from incurring injuries.

“Maybe everybody knows he shoots down the middle but he has big power in the shot,” Munoz added.

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“I am very happy with Troy. And I don’t let our goalkeepers practice penalties against Troy – I don’t want any problems.

"Troy is a specialist with the penalties and he knows exactly what what he can do to score."