Watford Observer: RECAP: Preston 3 Watford 0

Preston 3 Watford 0 – how the action unfolded at Deepdale

Watford boss shares thoughts on Baah, Bayo and Ogbonna

Cleverley blasts Watford’s ‘mid-table’ mindset at Preston

Sky: Osmajic, who last week was charged by the Football Association with allegedly biting an opponent, responded to being brought into the starting line-up by boss Paul Heckingbottom by putting the hosts ahead with a finish eight minutes after the break, before adding a second in the 65th minute. A superb Ali McCann strike subsequently extended the advantage with 15 minutes remaining as Preston registered only their second win of the campaign and moved up a place to 21st in the table. Tom Cleverley’s Watford stay eighth.

BHappy: Saturday was significant in that it stemmed a wobble, a fine performance against a strong opponent that got a monkey off our backs and set us up for another positive run of results.  But… you’ve got to follow that up, it’s not a given.  From the off this performance was less focused, less disciplined, less urgent.  As if we felt we’d done the difficult bit, and that Preston away was somehow a lighter touch.  This division above all divisions doesn’t let you get away with that.  Tom pointing out pre-match that Preston finished above that last season indicated that he was aware of the risk but slightly alarming that it even needed saying.  

Fran’s Watford Blog: I am not one to boo or yell, but it was an absolutely dreadful performance from the Hornets. I don’t know where that came from after the two excellent showings in the past week. We wasted a couple of great chances in the first half, but once Preston took the lead, we never really looked like getting back into it. Preston were playing a pressing game and the players couldn’t cope with it. But what was most disappointing was the number of poor passes and the complete inability to control a ball demonstrated by a number of players who are much better than that. Preston are not a good team and looked vulnerable until they scored. Adding insult to injury, Osmajić and McCann both scored their first goals of the season. The game is best forgotten and we have a chance to make amends on Saturday.