DESPITE an improved second half showing from his troops at Pride Park today (Saturday), Watford boss Malky Mackay felt it took too long for his players to get into their stride this afternoon.

The Golden Boys went down 2-0 to Nigel Clough's Derby County and it now puts further pressure on the outcome of the Hornets' forthcoming home fixtures.

Malky said: "I don't think we started well in the first half and that showed.

"Even then, we limited their possession but they had a fantastic strike and I have no qualms about that and then we started the second half very much on the front foot."

It was certainly an improved second half showing from the 'Orns after a half-time team talk from Malky and his staff. 

But two missed opportunities stopped Watford getting back in the game.

"At 1-0 down we had a very good chance" added the gaffer. 

"Their goalkeeper was running back towards an open goal and Henri Lansbury took an extra touch when I think he had far too much time on it.

"The second chance was a great ball into Danny Graham five yards out, but we didn't finish the job.

"It's about taking your chances, we had two absolutely magnificent chances today and we didn't take them and that cost us.

"To be fair we stepped it up in the second half and started causing Derby more problems - we were much more upbeat and high tempo but as I say, it is chances that count and we didn't finish them."

The away form of his side is causing concern for Malky and his coaching staff though at a critical stage of the season.

"We prepared properly this week and trained well, the exact same way as we do for every game. 

"But too many players didn't start today and it took until half time for some of them to get going and that's something we have to look at.

"There have been a few games recently away from home where we've been unlucky but there's also been a few where we've not been proactive enough - and today was certainly one of those days."

The second half introduction of January signing Stephen McGinn was a boost for the boss and Malky feels he now has players putting strong pressure on some of his starting XI. 

He said: "The team has got to go away and look at their own performances this evening, the standard has to stay high otherwise they'll come out of the team.

"I was delighted with the two centre backs today and John Eustace, they all showed great character as did Stephen McGinn when he came on, I thought he had a very pro-active 15 minutes.

"I want people behind the first-team pushing and I saw that today with Stephen McGinn, he was looking hungry and aware.

"People have to look at their performances and over their shoulder as there is a couple of players ready to come into the team.

"We've now got to make sure that we win our games".