Watford remain unbeaten under Tom Cleverley at Vicarage Road but they dropped points at home for just a second time this season after being held to a frustrating goalless draw by lowly Queens Park Rangers.
After another below-par first-half performance which needed an excellent Dan Bachmann save and a bad miss from Liam Morrison to keep the match goalless at the break, Watford improved after Cleverley changed personnel and formation at the break.
The closest the Hornets came to a winner was when a superb Imran Louza free-kick hit the underside of the bar and bounced down on the line, but the visitors twice could have nicked it at the death as their opponents tried to find a winner.
Here are five talking points we’ve selected from this afternoon’s game. Tell us what you think by using the comments facility at the bottom of this page.
Unable to find a way
The Hornets have usually found a way to win at home this season but today they couldn’t and that was largely down to quality and composure lacking when it was needed in the final third.
The hosts had enough pressure and promising situations, mostly in the second half, but the final pass or finish wasn’t there when needed.
What did you make of Watford’s attacking performance?
Keeping Rangers at bay
The three points may have eluded them but it is now four matches – and 406 minutes – since Watford last conceded a goal on home territory.
Fortune did favour the Hornets at the end of both halves, but apart from a jittery spell towards the end of the first period, they were largely solid defensively and Bachmann was rarely tested aside from his superb save to deny Zan Celar in the opening period.
What did you make of the Hornets’ defensive display?
A wake-up call
Watford were comfortable for the opening part of the first half, perhaps too comfortable, because from around 25 minutes sloppiness increasingly crept in, the display became messy and Rangers gained encouragement.
The Hornets were looking increasingly in need of collective wake-up call from Cleverley at the break – but two minutes before half-time they almost received a nasty shock as well when Celar and Morrison both had good chances to give the visitors the lead.
Were you concerned by Watford’s first-half display?
Lively Louza
Imran Louza continued his good run of form since returning to the Watford starting XI.
Apart from being an inch or so away from scoring with his second-half free-kick, the midfielder always looked one of the more likely to find the pass that would create a match-winning opening for his side.
The 25-year-old has clearly got his mojo back and produced a performance that again justified his inclusion.
What was your view of Louza’s display?
Points progress
Watford may feel they should now be sitting on 32 points but the single point gained still means this is the second quickest they have reached the 30-point mark in a Championship season in the Pozzo era.
The only season they had more was the 2020/21 promotion campaign when they had reached 33 points after 17 games.
In the other season that ended in promotion, 2014/15, the Hornets were on 29 points after 18 matches.
How encouraged are you by Watford’s points total at this stage of the season?
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