Watford boss Walter Mazzarri believes their first-half performance in the goalless draw against Middlesbrough could have been affected by the emotion of the moving tributes to Graham Taylor.

The Hornets paid their respects to the club's greatest manager with a minute's applause before the game at an emotional Vicarage Road.

Watford were unable to dominate Boro in the first half and their head coach thinks the occasion may have affected his players.

Mazzarri said: “It was all very emotional for all of us. This was due to the passing away of this great person who made the history of Watford Football Club.

“The first half we weren’t brilliant and this could be due to this emotion but in the second half we played much better and deserved the win.

“There was the whole minute of applause where I was very emotional and more than you think. Especially it made me think about different things of my past and it was completely emotional.”

Mazzarri described the support of their fans throughout the tribute and the whole game as incredible and admitted he was just disappointed he could not dedicate a victory to them and Taylor.

The Italian said: “It was incredible but, aside from today which was a particular day, we are always used to them. I don’t remember a game where our fans haven’t supported us in this way.

“The only thing I’m sorry is not being able to win and dedicate it for the fans and for Graham Taylor.

"Of course we would have liked this but unfortunately it couldn’t happen.”