HAYDEN Mullins has called for Watford's Under-23s to use their heavy 6-2 loss against QPR as a learning experience.

A torrid first half showing saw Watford go in trailing 5-0 at the break at Vicarage Road on Monday afternoon.

They rallied partially after the break, but the Golden Boys' display was still well below the standards required to take anything from the game.

For Under-23s coach Mullins, the loss provided plenty of insight into the character of his players and he now wants to see a response.

"It was a tough day and one we need to learn from. We have spoken to the lads and said if this is the career they want to go into, it is a tough one," Mullins said.

"It was a game they need to learn from and one where they need to be taking that chance to learn as a positive.

"You see characteristics from different performances and you learn more when you lose than you do when you win.

"We will see how they react in the week and going into the next game.That is what it is about and that is what we are here for, to help bring out character and that bit of resilience."

Watford failed to lay a glove on Rangers in the first half as the visitors dominated from the off and could easily have led by more than five at half-time.

The Hornets managed to stop the flow of goals after the interval and found the net themselves thanks to Ryan Cassidy's effort and a fine Ashley Charles strike.

The improved effort in the second 45 minutes at least gave Watford some positives from the game against an impressive Rangers outfit,

"It was a disappointing result, definitely," Mullins conceded. "5-0 down at half-time we wanted to go out in the second half and at least give a better account of ourselves.

"I think we did that. As an academy, we want to play against experienced sides like they had out today. Their side was like a B team today."

Watford have endeavoured to introduce players to the Under-23 set-up at as early a stage as possible and played a youthful side at the Vic.

This approach means opposition sides often have far more knowhow than the Hornets and Mullins conceded this will always impact on results.

He does, however, feel those youngsters who are playing against older players with more experience will benefit further down the line.

The former Crystal Palace man said: "We are a lot younger and we are trying to promote the good players into the team, so we finished with three first year scholars on the pitch.

"For a 16-year-old to play against players who are competing to be in the first team is fantastic for them.

"It is a good challenge for them and one we want them to step up to and react well to."

Mullins is quick to point out that Watford's desire to promote players quickly means success at youth level may not arrive as quickly as some would like.

"It is a long-term project," he said when asked about the aims of the academy.

"Thing will not just happen over night and their is a learning curve for a lot of the players in the team.

"Going through that will stand them all in good stead in the future though."