Watford boss satisfied with Boro draw

The Hornets managed to grab a point on Saturday but Watford’s Head Coach, Slavisa Jokanovic, felt his side were lucky to be all-square at the break before being encouraged by a positive second-half display. “We didn’t play with the right energy for this tough match in the first 50 minutes,” Jokanovic said. “Boro scored their goal and then we woke up. After that, I have to say we made a much better game and I feel that the goal looked like it might be coming. “A draw against this opponent at this stadium is a good result but it doesn’t mean I cannot want more from my team,” added the Serb. “I must always look to improve what I am doing and what the team does. The second half performance means I can feel that the players took the information from half-time and used it – even though it took for the opponent to score to get us going. “Sometimes football is like this. Then you can say, nearer the end, well it is us who looks like we might win the match.” Jokanovic talked about electing not to make too many changes across all three games, something which may have caught up with the Hornets evidenced by their sluggish start. “This is my decision to have the same team. With one injury, there was one change but only one over the whole week. This Championship is tough and I am still seeing the exact condition of the players so next time maybe something else – but always doing what I think it is we need to do to win the match.” Lines of interest borne of injuries were two-fold on Teesside, with Troy Deeney scoring after coming on as sub for the third consecutive match – while Jonathan Bond deputised for Heurelho Gomes who suffered an injury during the warm-up. “Deeney is an important part of this squad, of course. “I’m sure it won’t be his last goal for us,” Jokanovic smiled, talking of the Hornets’ club captain who buried a chance less than 10 minutes after taking to the field. “And Bondy, yes he did a perfect job coming in. He is a young player who will have a good future. “With Gomes, it wasn’t something too serious. But Bond made a very good performance for himself, and showed that we have quality players all around.” Watford’s Head Coach isn’t shy about repeating the mantra about how long and tough the Championship season is and, truth be told, that phrase helps put each individual game into perspective somewhat. “Our job is always to keep improving and do better than we did the last time,” he explained of a Watford side now eight unbeaten. “We have time to take a little rest now before the Millwall match and it will be good for us to see everyone together working.”