Watford seem to have a common theme this season - when a few players don't turn up, the rest soon follow suit.
The below-par performance throughout the team from Burnley was replicated at Liverpool three weeks ago, and despite a momentum-building win over champions Leicester last weekend, the Hornets were flat as a pancake for the third time this season in their Stoke defeat yesterday.
Whether the club has an allergy to being broadcast on Sky, as each of the trio has been, is a fanciful conspiracy, but it is strange quite how contrasting Walter Mazzarri's side's performances have been at times.
Heurelho Gomes' unfortunate own goal proved the difference between the sides in a game which featured little in the way of chances or quality from either side.
The attritional side Watford had shown so well to grind out a second-half win against Leicester was notably lacking from yesterday's game, and the visitors simply appeared to want it more as they edged their way to victory.
Here's how we rated Watford's limp performances:
Heurelho Gomes - 6
Not a lot the Brazillian could do about the goal, with the ball coming from behind him and leaving him with little time to react other than to divert it goalwards. Kicking and punching suspect at times but didn't have a huge amount to do.
Younes Kaboul - 6
Not really on long enough to be dragged down into mediocrity, and Watford were looking half-competent in the 21 minutes he played. Six more for doing little wrong in his brief performance than anything. Will be missed if not fit on Saturday.
Sebastian Prodl - 8
If Watford lose the big Austrian to a long-term injury any time soon they are in trouble. The only player to come out of the game with any credit, looks competent, wins the first ball, never gives up. Deseved better from his team-mates.
Miguel Britos - 4
Really, really poor. After a Jekyll-and-Hyde showing last week, which somehow earned him man of the match, he was off colour all game, which culminated in one of the most petulant red cards imaginable when considering the Hornets were still looking for a late equaliser. Nearly gave away a penalty for a push on Jon Walters from his own dreadful backpass.
Daryl Janmaat - 6
Nothing really came off for the Dutchman but, to his credit, he never stopped trying even after being switched to the left when Jose Holebas went off. One of few to look like they wanted to be there.
Etienne Capoue - 5
Passable before the break, but so lethargic in his deliveries forward even when they found their target; one ball out to Nordin Amrabat, who was crying for it to be played into space, rolled slowly to his feet and stifled a Hornets attack - it summed up the afternoon.
Valon Behrami - 5
Countless times you looked across and saw nothing remotely resembling a tight midfield unit, and as the more defensive of the two centre-mids, Behrami was dragged out of position to little effect far too much.
Jose Holebas - 5
Lucky not to get himself sent off in his first game back from suspension, after more petulance to get himself booked for kicking the ball away, and then still finding time to get in the ear of Bobby Madley. Offered very little going forward.
Nordin Amrabat - 5
The Moroccan just wasn't at the races; possibly his worst performance of the season, even at Burnley he looked like an outlet in the first half, but did nothing of note all afternoon.
Troy Deeney - 5
Always more difficult when you're miles away from anyone else on the pitch, and one lovely bit of skill before the break was the highlight for the captain. But ineffectual overall and still doesn't look like breaking his ton.
Roberto Pereyra - 5
From the best player on the park last week, you would have been forgiven for forgetting he was even playing yesterday. Saw even less of the ball than fellow inside-forward Amrabat.
Substitutes
Christian Kabasele (for Kaboul, 21) - 5
Showed about as much energy in getting ready to come on as he did in the rest of the game once he did; one good block after being turned by Shaqiri was about as good as it got. Doesn't look like being the realistic back-up Watford need.
Odion Ighalo (for Holebas, 56) - 5
The Nigerian didn't look like the answer as the Hornets changed to a 3-5-2 in the hope of sparking themselves into life, and he wasn't. Always willing but didn't get into the game bar one inadvertant near-assist for Stefano Okaka.
Stefano Okaka (for Amrabat, 78) - N/A
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