Watford head coach Beppe Sannino believes his team can score more goals by playing with more passion and more forward passes.

The Hornets had 19 shots at goal in the 1-0 defeat to Reading on Saturday and created a handful of excellent chances but were unable to find the net.

Speaking after the match, Sannino said his team can help their strikers by playing with more urgency but admitted there is a balance to be struck.

"I would like to see my team play with more passion and to play forward more," explained Sannino.

"If we do that we will allow the strikers to be more dangerous in the box - we have to start from the back and I know we have to work on that. 

"I have to find the right balance to allow our best players to play forwards and be backed by the team while avoiding the problems we have had in the past in conceding a lot of goals."

Watford started the match against Reading in a 3-5-2 formation but Sannino made his team more attacking in the second half as the Hornets moved into a 4-3-3 and even 4-2-4 at times.

Fernando Forestieri came on for Hector Bellerin shortly after the break, joining Diego Fabbrini and Troy Deeney in a front three and Sannino was pleased with the Argentine's impact.

"When Forestieri came on you saw we were much more dangerous going forward but it was also the right balance between the defence and the attack – I am constantly searching for the right balance," Sannino said.

"I have always said I don’t want my team to be scared of anyone, I want my team to be ready to face any opposition.

"I think Fabbrini and Forestieri are very good when they play one versus one but I don’t like to make many changes during the game.

"I want my team to have an identity and then during a game you can make changes but the starting point is to have a clear identity."

Watford have only won one of their last eight home matches and are now 15th in the Championship table.

The Hornets return to Vicarage Road on Tuesday night to take on Bristol City in an FA Cup third round replay and Sannino is pleased with the quick turnaround.

"In the second half against Reading we deserved at least one goal because we had lots and lots of chances but that is the result, I have to accept the result," he continued.

"We have the opportunity to turn over the page quickly because we have another game on Tuesday which is good because we have the chance to play again in a short time and from tomorrow (Sunday) we can start to think about that game."

For more of Sannino's comments after the 1-0 defeat to Reading, click here.