We were very poor by our usual standards

Last updated : 01 October 2003 By Tony Scholes

Watford boss Ray Lewington was impressed enough with the way his team played especially after the fact that they had lost to Ipswich three days earlier having been in front.

"It’s a start and having looked at times unconvincing on Saturday against Ipswich I think we played with conviction today and as long as we’ve got that we’ve got a chance," said Lewington.

"The lads showed real spirit tonight and that’s what we need. If the spirit is there then you’ve got a chance and we showed today that it is still intact. This group of players is what we’ve got to work with and this group of players will get us out of trouble."

On his change of tactics Lewington added, "We played with three up front which is always a gamble because it leaves you light in midfield but we coped with it quite well. We looked bright and we pushed them onto the back foot and I thought we were excellent in the first half hour."

But like most managers today Lewington had words for the referee, "Vernazza’s was a soft sending off. So far this club has had three players sent off and I don’t think we’ve made a bad tackle all season. But after the sending off we rallied round and had a go and we were certainly strong.

"It is ridiculous though. There has got to be a difference between a foul and something with intent. Anyone who sees that many bookings will think that it has been a real scrap, but neither side are a dirty side and yet if you hadn’t been here you would think it had been a bloodbath. To be honest I think something has got to be done.

"At least justice was done with the missed penalty. The handball law says it has to be intentional. If someone smashes a ball at your face from eight yards it is natural to put your arms in the way, that cannot be a penalty."

And finally on his team’s prospects, "It’s a long journey. There are plenty of games and with our spirit we’ll be alright."

Stan meanwhile wasn’t happy with the way the Clarets played. "I thought we were very poor by our usual standards in the first half although in the second half we were a little bit better," said Stan after the game.

"Watford started at a much higher tempo than us and they deserved to be 1-0 up at half time because they were better than us in the first half. We did though have a fortuitous penalty and sometimes they go in and sometimes they don’t.

"But I’m happy with a point after that performance and it really is all credit to Ray Lewington for getting Watford battling like that. We didn’t play to our capabilities and the players know that."

Then Stan got his two penneth in on referee Flood Warden Andy Hall. "Watford were on the receiving end tonight just like we were on Saturday. They say what goes around comes around but it is not right and we all know that.

"The referees are working under restrictions because of the assessors in the stand and something really needs to change."

Back to the performance, "We are going to have to do better than we did tonight and I’m thankful for the point."