DAN SHITTU says netting three goals in four days is no consolation after the Hornets lost their second successive match.

The mountainous defender was the unlikely goalscorer at Barnsley and found the net against Burnley last night (Tuesday), but Watford still failed to pick up a point.

Shittu said: "It's not pleasing at all because it's all about the team winning. We have not been playing the way we are meant to and I would rather have traded in my goals for a win.

"It was kind of lucky for the goal but we lost and that's first and foremost."

The centre-back took his tally to four goals for the season but the team have now lost three of their last five matches. Shittu believes being league leaders brings its own pressure and they need to start dealing with that tag.

He added: "We are the Man United of the division. We're still top of the league but we are the team to beat. It means the opposition are all looking to beat us and are extremely happy when they do. Everyone is geared up to take us on.

"Teams have been doing their homework and we need to learn to raise our own game. We need to get back to basics, starting with Bristol City on Saturday.

"But it would be silly to let our heads drop over this. We need to get our form back quickly but we are still on top of the league."

Jay DeMerit made an unexpected early return to the side against Burnley and Shittu hopes the partnership can help reduce the number of goals leaked.

"We are conceding too many at the moment and the way we are conceding them is not good. It's very disappointing because the main base of this team is keeping clean sheets.

"It's nice to have Jay back because you build up relationships and when you have everyone back fit it always helps."