After the draw with Sunderland at Vicarage Road, head coach Rob Edwards was asked by a journalist if Watford going ahead in the first half actually did them no favours, as it brought about a reaction from the visitors who until then had been pushed back.

“It’s amazing how goals change games, and it’s happened to us a couple of times this season where we’ve got that goal and gone ahead, and we’ve stopped doing what got us the goal,” said Edwards.

“I feel like immediately after we scored we still had momentum and then it changed after that. It’s that consistency I’m talking about. We want that within games.

“We had great intensity for the first 25 minutes, and it is hard to keep that going for a full game. But that is what we have to demand.”

After Tuesday night’s shocker at Blackburn, where there was little or no intensity from Watford throughout, Edwards did feel his side responded to his challenge to put that element of their game right.

“We needed to show that intensity and I’ve asked for that, and commitment as well. I can’t fault the effort from the players at all today.

“Where we have to learn is when we’re on top and we’re in the ascendancy and the crowd are with us, we have to drive it home and keep doing things that have got us that success. That’s what frustrates me today, we didn’t do that.

“I know Sunderland made changes and threw everything at it, and the dynamic of the game can shift, but we have to be able to see things out.”

The failure on the Hornets part to see the game out ultimately resulted in the late Sunderland equaliser, which in turn led to boos at the final whistle from the home fans.

“Goals change people’s perspective of games,” said Edwards. “Me, the players, our fans, we all wanted to win today. But nobody hands you anything and Sunderland got their equaliser which leads to an element of frustration.

“I’m frustrated, the lads are as well. I know the supporters can see the signs of improvement, I know they can. It was really there today. Okay it might not have been the whole game, but that 25 minute-spell in the second half is what I want the lads to focus on.

“But I also know it is down to me to get that level of performance for longer periods of the game. I totally understand that, because I can’t keep saying we’re inconsistent in games. I have to make sure it happens.”

Once again, both the goals conceded came when the ball came into the box from out wide.

“First of all I’d say if you look generally, a lot of goals are conceded from wide areas or crosses. But yeah, it is something we do need to continue to work at,” admitted Edwards.

“There are always at least three mistakes in any goal you concede, and there are lots of things we can address.

“It’s about basics. The first goal was from a throw-in again, just like Tuesday night. These are basics we need to tighten up on.”

The first Sunderland goal was an odd one in that the game carried on for a few moments until the referee signalled the ball had crossed the line by pointing to the sensor on his wrist, which had received a signal from goal-line technology.

“There didn’t seem any appeals. I thought ‘what’s the ref given?’. I thought he’d given a free kick. I was quite surprised when they ran off and started celebrating,” said Edwards.

“The timing of that goal was a bit of a shocker for us. That period of four or five minutes leading up to the goal is what I’m talking about. We started playing to protect, and I need to help the lads understand we’re at our best on the front foot.

“We are better when we’re trying to be proactive and yet we started to protect what we had towards the end of the first half.”

Did Edwards think the first 70 minutes of the game was the best period his side have put together so far this season?

“I think I’d agree with that. And that’s why I’m frustrated but then I can also see positive signs. I can see where we can get to, and I think we’re going to get better. We’ve got three or four lads who can really help us who aren’t too far away from coming back.

“We have the international break now and it is what it is. We’ve got it so we have to work with it. We can use the time to work hard and try to improve, we can focus on getting those injured players back, and we hope the lads that go away and represent their countries do so really well, and come back safe and sound.”

Looking at individuals, there was another impressive display from Yaser Asprilla, who will now be heading away on international duty with Colombia. His pass for the first goal was sublime and summed up his talent and potential.

“He’s a very talented boy,” said Edwards. “He is someone who can play anywhere on that front line, and can easily fit into three or four different positions.

“What really pleased me today was his work rate and pressing. His intensity out of possession was as impressive as what he does with the ball.

“There are things he can still work on – he’s only 18 so that’s understandable. But I’m pleased with him and he’ll continue to get better.”

The one surprise was that defender Mario Gaspar wasn’t even on the bench, something highlighted late in the game when Christian Kabasele had to come on at right back to replace Craig Cathcart.

“Mario is okay, it was a technical and tactical one today. That was it,” said Edwards.