WATFORD manager Malky Mackay refused to be disheartened after watching his side's 1-0 defeat to high-flying Swansea on Tuesday night.
There was plenty of promising attack play from his Golden Boys, especially during the first half, but the 'Orns were frustrated by the organised Welsh side.
"It was quite frustrating the amount of chances we had" he said.
"The way we played in the first half I think was as good as we have played this season.
"The amount of quality balls from Don Cowie was exceptional and the number of chances we had in the first half was pleasing.
"You were just hoping that one would drop and hit someone because we had chances cleared off the line and the various shots the goalkeepers had saved."
An early goal from Swansea resulted in the visitors packing the middle of the park and making Watford work hard for their money, something that Malky explained was always going to be tricky to crack.
"I knew in the second half it had to change.
"Paulo packed his midfield and sat them back and there's no way through in times like that so you have to go over with the ball.
"It's going to be different and more frustrating but you have to hope that balls drop for you.
"But even then, Aidy Mariappa makes a great run, goes by two people and from where I'm looking, he was bodychecked off the ball.
"We had to play differently because the opposition didn't allow us to have the space ether. If we had played into their hands, they would have gone on the break.
"They doubled up on the left-back, you look at the amount of balls Don was getting in the first half, and then Swansea put two men on him and shut that out, so that's not going to happen.
"I could count on the fingers of one hand the amount of times Scott Loach had the ball in his hands in the second half, so all in all, you look at the game and the amount of chances we created, the amount of near misses we had, that's what I'll ask the supporters to take away from tonight."
As the Golden Boys kicked off their three back-to-back home games, their boss emphasised the importance of keeping his team upbeat.
"At times you are looking for that little glimmer of luck on one side, but if they keep working like that and playing like that then you're going to come away beating teams if you work like that every week.
"As much as the players are disappointed, I am the same.
"We know what we've got to do and it's in our hands, but there's plenty of games to go.
"The team has got to stay calm and keep believing in what we're doing - which is putting performance after performance in.
"I look at tonight and the way we played in the main and the chances we created, I can't be too down on the players.
"I'm desperately disappointed tonight because we deserved something from that game."
WIN PRIZES WITH THE HORNETS LOTTO!
