Despite more talk in the week about potentially bringing more of the club’s younger players into the team and squad, there were no additions at Sunderland yesterday.

Ryan Andrews started and James Morris was on the bench, but the likes of Adrian Blake and Jack Grieves were not involved.

“Knowing this place, as I’ve played in a play-off semi-final here and managed here, means I’m aware it’s a difficult place to come to, and they’re on a roll,” said Watford head coach Chris Wilder.

“So I picked the team I picked, and we’ll have a look at it again in the week and see what we do to get a competitive team out for next Monday.”

There may not have been a sighting of any extra young players, but there was something fans haven’t seen for a while: two goals from corners.

“Take the pace off the ball because you don’t have to whizz it in, put it in a decent area with a little bit of organisation and a desire to go and head the ball,” explained Wilder.

“Don’t read too much into runs or blocks – we had a play to pick off the right areas. If the ball is whizzed then it can go over everybody or if it hits the first man then it’s gone.

“Set plays are an important part of the game and it was pleasing to score two goals from them.”

The hardy band of travelling Hornets who made the round trip of more than 500 miles were way up in the top tier behind the goal, but Wilder and his players knew they were there, and appreciated it.

“It was incredible to see them,” he said.

“I think it took us six and a half hours to get up here on Friday, so for them to do that trip especially when the results over the season haven’t been great is incredible.

“It shows they are a passionate group. They’ve made a five or six-hour journey to come and support their club, and that shows they care about their football club.

“They’ll have that tinge of disappointment that we’ve not been able to hang on and see it out. But at least they’ve seen a team that wanted to win and wanted to have a go.”

The game at the Stadium of Light was Wilder’s fifth and final away trip of the 11 games he will have had, and they have delivered just two points

“I’m disappointed that we’ve not been able to get the results that we wanted. But that’s been the situation right the way through the season, from Rob to Slav and then to me.

“It’s disappointing that we came here today with nothing to play for. There will be reflection at the end of the season on the four cornerstones of the game: technical, tactical, physical and mental.

“The situation is the club is going to finish mid-table and outsiders might wonder how that’s happened. But there’s a reason.”