Threadbare Clarets go down at callous Watford

The afternoon hadn’t started well as the Burnley players warmed up and there was no John McGreal, Wayne Thomas or Wade Elliott in sight. Out they went to be replaced by Chris McCann, Frank Sinclair and debutant Karl Bermingham who took his place on the right of midfield.

Malky Mackay made his debut at centre back for Watford, in place of Jay DeMerit in an otherwise unchanged line up from their victory at Cardiff.

The game had a scrappy start to it with Noel-Williams winning two early free kicks which came to nothing, something we’d have to get used to as the game went on. The first half chance fell to Watford as Duff allowed King to get wide and cross, which thankfully Jensen gathered comfortably.

Just a minute later we allowed Watford in again, this time from the right as Devlin beat Garreth O’Connor to pick out King with a cross who glanced a tame header wide - he should have at least tested Jensen.

Already we were looking lightweight through the midfield as Watford captain Gavin Mahon looked to stamp his authority on the game.

Burnley’s first effort resulted from a free kick after James O’Connor made a break, only to be fouled. Garreth O’Connor struck his 25 yard shot into the wall, only for it to fall to the former who smashed a low shot from the edge of the box into Ben Foster’s diving body.

The game was quite even at this point, until a long ball from Mackay on 10 minutes caught the Burnley back line napping. Sinclair and Duff stared at each other as King brought the ball down, knocked it forward into the area and casually stroked the ball across Jensen into the far right corner of the net. The Burnley defence must surely be disappointed to concede such a soft goal.

Just five minutes later though Burnley drew level after Noel-Williams played Akinbiyi in with a neat ball. A poor first touch took the ball away from Akinbiyi but he somehow knocked the ball past an advancing Foster, only to be brought down. Surprisingly the keeper stayed on the pitch and didn’t even pick up a caution.

After last week’s debacle from the spot, Garreth O’Connor took responsibility after a long delay and confidently sent Foster the wrong way as he placed his penalty in the top left corner.

Burnley began to impose themselves on the game for a short period with Akinbiyi forcing a smart save from Foster after he was put through neatly by James O’Connor.

Just two minutes later though Burnley were dealt their first huge blow of the afternoon with Sinclair pulling up with a recurrence of his hamstring injury.

He was stretchered off, to be replaced not by McGreal or Thomas who were on the bench, but by 17 year old striker Kyle Lafferty. This caused a major reshuffle with Branch moving to centre back, McCann to left back, and Lafferty coming to the left wing, with Garreth O’Connor moving inside.

It didn’t take long for Watford to regain the lead with a sweeping move which led to Ashley Young picking out Mahon who saw his 18 yard shot deflect off Branch, into the top corner, wrong footing Jensen. It was a cruel goal to concede, with even Mahon looking too embarrassed to celebrate.

Burnley were looking raw and inexperienced with Bermingham struggling to make an impact and Lafferty showing some nervous touches. We were clearly missing Thomas and McGreal.

The last chance of the half fell to Watford after Branch was adjudged to have fouled King. Young knocked the free kick square for Mahon who could only blast way over from the edge of the box.

Half time came and the feeling was that Burnley may have been on a damage limitation exercise with so many players playing out of position.

Watford were playing some neat football at times, with Burnley struggling to make an impact in central midfield, especially against the impressive Mahon.

As the second half started Lafferty and Bermingham switched wings as Burnley looked to attack early. Watford put Burnley under some early pressure, but Burnley soon dusted themselves down and made a real fight of the second half. On 52 minutes a good move found Noel-Williams who held off Clarke Carlisle to lay the ball off to Hyde. Unfortunately his shot was turned over acrobatically by Foster.

Ashley Young then got past Micah Hyde for the first and last time as he entered the area. Stupidly, he then decided to dive and was promptly booked by referee Matt Messias.

The Clarets were then enjoying a spell of pressure, with Branch looking in impressive form sweeping up any counter attacks Watford did have.

Bermingham was having a quiet game but found Lafferty with a crossfield ball. His excellent flick on fell to Akinbiyi who held off a defender and forced a good save from Foster. It was a clean chance, and Ade probably should have done better.

However, soon after Watford nearly extended their lead after a cross from the right found Young, he flicked the ball over an indecisive Jensen but Hyde got back to clear from the line, giving Watford a corner.

Burnley were again looking brighter, with McCann pushing forward well down the left and Hyde having an outstanding game at right back. With 20 minutes to go, Garreth O’Connor fired in a corner which somehow eluded a Claret head, luckily for Watford King was on hand to clear for a throw.

The next opportunity fell to Branch who hit a swerving drive from 30 yards, which nearly caught Foster out, but he held on to it. Burnley were looking good and looked like they may force an equaliser after Noel-Williams hit a fierce half volley leaving Foster to tip the ball just over.

Foster was having a good day, and looks a shrewd capture for Adrian Boothroyd. This was to be our final chance of the game as the final few minutes descended into a farce.

After 83 minutes a long ball forward resulted in Henderson and the advancing Jensen clashing. Jensen fell awkwardly, obviously in distress.

Controversially ignoring the foul and the serious neck injury to Jensen, referee Messias allowed play to continue. After three attempts at scoring, and with Jensen still down injured some way from the goal, Watford eventually put the ball in the back of the net courtesy of Matthew Spring.

He may look back on that as not the best way to have opened his account at the club. After more than three minutes on the ground, Jensen was carried off to applause from both sets of supporters. He was replaced by Danny Coyne for the final few minutes, but this sickening incident, and the way Watford sought to gain an advantage from it, took the life out of what was until that stage a competitive match.

On the balance of chances Burnley deserved something from the game, as Foster was clearly the keeper under pressure from goal bound shots.

However, if Watford had been a better side, we could have suffered a serious reverse, as without McGreal and Thomas, the defence simply isn’t good enough. Also with Micah Hyde having to cover at right back, the midfield lacked both steel and penetration.

However, there were three very encouraging performances today. Graham Branch was outstanding as a makeshift centre back putting in a very solid performance, alongside the equally impressive Chris McCann at left back, who looked very comfortable and composed on his full debut.

The man of the match can only go to one player though and that is Micah Hyde. He won every ball, and gave nothing away. He truly led by example as he took over the captaincy from Sinclair, and all this playing at right back.

The final word though must go to Brian Jensen: Get well soon mate.