Slaven Bilic cited mental and physical tiredness in his players as Watford failed to turn possession into chances and were then punished by Coventry on the counter attack.

“We got into the areas that we predicted because we thought the midfield would be crowded but we could find space on the wings,” he said.

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Watford 0 Coventry 1 - match report

“We did everything but we lacked in the area where we normally have the most quality. I think I’d say that we looked a little bit tired in the attacking areas.

“We were having an extra touch, making the wrong decision – those things happen when you are mentally and physically tired.

“I was warned before the game by my medical team that we had players who might only be able to play 60 minutes, players who we might want to take off if we are winning.

“We lack that depth at the moment which means we are having to play the same players without the ability to rotate."

The Hornets head coach was disappointed but far from heavily critical of his players.

“That’s the Championship, you know. Just at the moment you think you know the game, it does that to you,” he said.

“There are games where you are disappointed and frustrated but not angry, and that was one of those games.

“I said to the boys afterwards that we did everything. The game lasts 90 minutes and there will be areas you can find mistakes, like their goal.

“But we weren’t complacent, it wasn’t that we didn’t take the game seriously, we were on the front foot from the start.”