STRIKER Danny Graham has told www.watfordfc.com that Saturday was a bittersweet day for him, having scored his first goal since October, but having to return to Hertfordshire with only one point in the bag after the dramatic encounter at Glanford Park.
"I love scoring goals" said the former Middlesbrough striker.
"I'm a centre forward and I'm sure every centre forward in the country would say that. It hasn't been happening for me in the last few weeks so I paid the price by getting dropped and deservedly so.
"I think that made me a stronger player and since then I've been doing extra training sessions to try and force myself back into the team and it's paid off.
"Now I'm delighted to get the goal on Saturday, but I'm just disappointed we didn't end up winning the game."
Graham finally got his long awaited goal in a high tempo and highly charged game in Lincolnshire.
"Saturday was very entertaining to say the least!" said Graham.
"I think we outplayed them in the first half and then showed great character in the second 45 minutes, even when we went down to ten men.
"They were then fortunate the referee chose to give a penalty in the last minute. But that's the nature of the game.
"We'll take it to be a good point in the end - away from home and with ten men on the field.
"As soon as Tom got sent off, the game didn't change in pace and we were still attacking and pressing them.
"That gives us confidence knowing we can still do that with ten men.
"It was an unfortunate red card and we all know that Tom's not that kind of player - we all know him and we know he isn't like that - the lad is devastated.
"But unfortunately, that's part and parcel of the game and I'm sure it will make him a tougher character in himself in the future.
"A few of the boys said in the changing room after the game at Glanford Park said that it felt more like a defeat than a draw, but that's just the way football is sometimes.
"We just have to pick ourselves up, dust ourselves down and look forward to the Newcastle game on Saturday."
The Geordie-born player revealed that he is now relishing the match against his boyhood team this weekend at Vicarage Road.
"Newcastle is a massive game - it's one that every team looks forward to in the Championship; they're a very big team in this league.
"We can't wait for them to come down to Vicarage Road where we are very good and strong so hopefully we can give them a difficult game and take all three points.
"Getting the point away from home this Saturday really helped breed confidence in the squad" continued Graham.
"We have struggled a bit lately and if you look at the point we took home now, it is a good point and hopefully this has given the team a lift ahead of Saturday's match."
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