'Impossible Watford weren't given a penalty' (From Watford Observer)

Sean Dyche believes Watford have missed out on 14 penalties this season

3:28pm Monday 23rd April 2012 in Watford FC News

Sean Dyche has rarely criticised referees this season but the Watford manager claimed "it was impossible" his side were not awarded a spot kick at Peterborough United and believes they have missed out on 14 this season.

Saturday's game was level when a Posh defender clearly handled in the area but instead of giving a penalty, referee Phil Gibbs consulted with his assistant and blew for a free kick to the home side.

Then in the last ten minutes, Martin Taylor had his shirt pulled close to his head when challenging at a free kick.

Dyche said: "It is impossible that we don't get a penalty for that but we have two more today and 14 over the course of the season not given.

"I haven't harped on about it too many times but when it is that obvious, I have to mention it."

Watford were excellent in the first half at London Road and would have scored four or five had it not been for goalkeeper Paul Jones and poor finishing.

Peterborough responded well at half time and went close to taking the lead but the Hornets finished the game strongly.

Dyche said: "I am very disappointed - not in the performance because most of it was very good. To dominate the game, particularly the first half, and baring a 15-minute spell to create so many chances - credit must go to their goalkeeper who made three not just outstanding saves but worldy saves - to dominate like that and not take our chances was disappointing. But it was not because of the performance.

"You could clearly tell we are still at it, still working and still want points and wins. You can clearly see that and it is a fantastic thing because these games can be difficult when the players have worked hard all season and there is nothing to play for.

"But I made it clear to them before the game and I am so pleased in the manner they played because these games are so important to us."

Dyche was particularly disappointed with Peterborough's second goal because the staff had highlighted the potential risk from the well-executed set piece prior to the match.

He said: "We are really disappointed with the second goal because we made the players aware that they might do that. In the end, it was a nick of Dicko's shin which guides it in.

"It was a funny game and they can happen. We have been on the right side of those games, because we have worked hard enough to be on the right side, but it was a strange game.

"It was a good one for the fans but we come away disappointed because we definitely should have come away with all three points."

For all of Watford's dominance, the Posh could, and maybe should, have taken the lead when Craig Alcock's thunderous strike rebounded off the crossbar and seemed to bounce over the goal line.

But Dyche said: "If anyone was deserving of a bit of luck [then it is us]. It is fair to say that it would have been an amazing result if they had won 3-2 - it would have been an amazing and strange result.

"I haven't seen it back, I don't know if it went over or not. They had that good 15-minute spell, and we must give them credit for that, but we responded and started growing into the game again and finished very strongly."