Five talking points from Watford’s loss to Ipswich.

Watford were unable to build on Saturday’s victory over Derby County and suffered a blow to their play-off chances as they were beaten 2-0 by Ipswich Town at Vicarage Road tonight.

The Hornets were clearly second best in the first half and trailed at the break after Sindre Walle Egeli volleyed the ball into the ground and past Egil Selvik following a Marcelino Nunez free-kick – which was harshly awarded from the home side’s perspective after Mattie Pollock clearly won the ball in a challenge – that spun up off the defensive wall.

Stephen Mfuni challenges Dan Neil (Image: PA)

Ed Still made adjustments at halftime, and his team came out much brighter, with more possession and a larger attacking threat.

However, the visitors scored the crucial second goal of the evening when George Hirst chested home a Jacob Greaves cutback.

With seven minutes of normal time remaining, the home side appeared to have been given a lifeline when Tom Ince was hauled back in the area, but the substitute was unable to convert from 12 yards, with Christian Walton saving his spot-kick.

Changing shape

The Watford manager rearranged his defensive pack once more, switching to a five-man backline.

It worked to some extent to limit Ipswich’s prospects, but the Hornets were clearly second best in the first half, unable to build attacks as their opponents dominated possession.

What did you make of the change of system?

Shaking things up

After the break, they continued with five at the back but opted to liven things up by making a double substitution, with Jeremy Ngakia and Edoardo Bove replacing Jeremy Petris and Giorgi Chakvetadze.

The replacements, combined with what was stated in the locker room at halftime, resulted in a more energetic Hornets performance after the restart, and they began to enjoy more possession of the ball as a result.

After making an emotional return to football in the draw at Preston, Still’s half-time substitutions offered Bove his first extended experience of Championship action.

It will undoubtedly take more minutes for the Italian to properly adjust, but some of his touches and decisions demonstrated why he has impressed in training.

Bove nearly scored his first goal in English football on his home debut, curling a shot narrowly wide, but also received his first yellow card.

Improving all-round play

Luca Kjerrumgaard has demonstrated his ability to score goals, but one of the most common accusations levelled at the striker has been his hold-up play.

The Dane did not score tonight, but it was clear that his ability to make the ball stick and bring teammates into play is improving.

Play-off setback

Watford came into the encounter hoping to close the three-point gap to the playoffs.

They finished three points back and are now six points (and six positions) behind sixth place.

With 12 games remaining, that gap is far from insurmountable, especially in a division as difficult and unpredictable as the Championship, but the loss is undoubtedly a setback for their chances.

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