Former Watford manager Malky Mackay believes his replacement Sean Dyche is "doing at great job considering the circumstances" at the Hornets.

Dyche was assistant manager under Mackay and the two continue to speak to each other on a regular basis.

Mackay left the Hornets in the summer to join Cardiff City, for "reasons" he has never divulged, and yesterday the two sides faced each other.

Speaking after the 1-1 draw, Mackay said: "I think Sean is doing a great job considering the circumstances he is working under at the football club. I know people there and I think himself and his team are doing really well for the football club.

"As you saw today, he certainly has his players playing for him."

Mackay took a number of the backroom staff he had at Watford with him to Cardiff and also signed midfielder Don Cowie on a free transfer.

This angered a number of the supporters and the games with Cardiff have meant more to the fans this season.

Dyche was offered the assistant manager's position at Cardiff but he decided to wait to see whether he was given the top job at Watford.

When asked if the games also had "extra spice" for himself and the players, Dyche replied: "Absolutely not. Malky gave me the chance to be the assistant manager of this club (Cardiff) and without that, I wouldn't have been manager of Watford.

"So there is not enough positives I can give him as bloke; he has done great for me and the staff. People make decisions in life and they made the decision to come to a good club, so I have no problem with that whatsoever.

"For the fans there will always be that bit of spice but for me it was a good point, a good performance and we look to build further."

Dyche praised the fans after the draw, adding: "They were fantastic. They went to Leeds and a good number travelled again today and these are long journeys. My brother is a bricklayer who is searching for two days work a week so I am well aware of how much it costs people to attend football matches, so I always respect the fans - home and away."