So, the team win six out of seven without the fans, scoring 16 goals in the process and yet the second the supporters are gradually and welcomely phased back in, the Golden Boys finish a home game pointless and goalless. You couldn't make it up, really. It's just been that sort of year, hasn't it?

The Hornets didn't do too much wrong here in losing for the first time in seven and only the second time in 12. They have certainly played with less energy and guile at Vicarage Road in some of the previous seven, but managed to get out of jail. They just came up against a very organised, well-drilled and committed Cardiff side who certainly belied their pre-match position of 14th, although they had come into this one on the back of two big wins.

The Hornets' build-up play was neat and tidy, they controlled two thirds of possession and there was certainly no lack of effort. Vladimir Ivić could certainly not be accused of not going for it, with João Pedro, Troy Deeney, Stipe Perica and Ismaïla Sarr forming quartet in attack by the end. There was just no late, late show, as there was against Stoke and Coventry, and the home side did not knock enough times at the door let alone break it down.

It was such a shame this result came on the day the fans made their long overdue pilgrimage to their second home. This faithful bunch aren't a hard lot to please. They love a trier, an all-action hero, someone who chases a lost cause or goes piling into a tackle, sometimes even more than they celebrate a drag back or a nutmeg. They therefore, in the absence of much goalmouth action in the first period, loved Sarr tracking back to win a goal kick; Ben Wilmot winning a key defensive header when Harry Wilson was well placed on his shoulder; João Pedro closing down the Cardiff keeper and then William Troost-Ekong wearing one when diving full length to block a long-ranger from Sheyi Ojo. They even applauded the substitutes warming up more enthusiastically than normal. After more than nine months away, they would probably have applauded had an empty crisp packet blown in front of them. It's been far too long without them.

There sadly wasn't much in the way of chances to get them out of their seats, if indeed they were allowed to. There were crosses flashed across the box from João Pedro, Sarr and James Garner, but not a single shot on target. Cardiff only managed one themselves, but scored from it through Kieffer Moore, his fifth in as many games. The Bluebirds had been a threat from set-pieces throughout the first 45 minutes – they forced five corners to Watford's none and were dangerous from every one – so it was no surprise when they scored from the second phase with their final one before the break. It was the first time the Golden Boys had conceded first in a game at Vicarage Road this season.

It might have been worse ten minutes after half-time had Troost-Ekong not, for the second time in the match, bravely blocked one, this time from Moore who took aim and pulled the trigger from about 14 yards out.

Ivić needed to change something as a streetwise Cardiff side were looking comfortable, so he did. He'd already switched to a more progressive 3-4-3 and then threw on Will Hughes and Domingos Quina in a double change on 67 minutes. It almost worked a treat as Christian Kabasele found Quina with a lovely raking pass only for a covering Cardiff defender and 'keeper Smithies to smother him when well placed down the left. Smithies then saved low from João Pedro as the Hornets started to work up a head of steam. Curtis Nelson and Sean Morrison also made crucial clearances inside their own six-yard box.

Hughes flashed a snapshot past the near post towards the end. How the fans would have loved it had that one gone in from one of their favourites. Perica missed an even better chance at the death, but it was just wasn't to be. It isn't always plain sailing. These fans know that better than anyone. You have to take the rough with the smooth. It's part of the journey, one 2,000 of you were finally able to be part of in person today.