Watford Under-23s suffered an opening day defeat to Sheffield United after conceding four second-half goals.

The first half was watched by the attentive gaze of Xisco Muñoz and Troy Deeney as Watford remained competitive, battling with the Blades for ascendancy in the match.

Although the game started with a good tempo, neither side was able to break the deadlock.

As a result, Watford got inventive using set-piece routines to their advantage. Henry Wise went short to James Morris who delivered a dangerous ball towards Derek Agyakwa, but the defender was unable to reach it at the back post.

With the half coming to an end, the Hornets enjoyed possession of the ball, remaining composed as each player waited for an option. Eventually, a shot came from Kwadwo Baah but it was blocked by a player in red and white.

Watford Under-23s manager, Omer Riza, took lots of positives from the opening half.

“We started the game really well,” he explained. “I think there was nothing in the game between the two teams with both trying to break each other down.

“I was generally happy with the first half. We looked solid, we looked disciplined, we built how we wanted to.”

However, after the break, the visitors proceeded to take control of the game as Zak Brunt converted for Sheffield United after getting on the end of a loose ball.

Tyler Smith won a penalty for the away side next, but Vincent Angelini produced a fantastic diving side to his right-hand side to keep out the forward.

Angelini was called into action minutes later to turn the ball onto the bar, which kept the difference at one goal.

Sheffield United kept the pressure on and eventually scored two goals in four minutes through Andre Brooks and Smith. The latter then finished the game with his second, rounding Angelini and placing the ball into an empty net.

Riza felt Watford were better than the scoreline suggested, but acknowledged the disappointing display and expected a difficult game.

“I don’t think we deserved to lose 4-0, but that’s the game,” he answered. “You switch off, you get punished. We knew Sheffield United was going to be a difficult game.

“We’ve had a good pre-season and played some tough games. We worked hard over that period, and we’ve come into today with the right attitude in training. We came out in the second half and didn’t clean up a couple of things.”

Watford’s next game is up against Sheffield Wednesday and Riza is determined to get a different result.

“The first thing that is really important is we have to talk to the players about the state of the game,” Riza said.

“When you go a goal down and things go against you, you don’t get disappointed. Discipline [is important]. We have to keep our work rate up because we pressed well, but second half we came off that and allowed them to have too many successes.”

After just one league game, the campaign is long and Riza is looking forward to the upcoming season as players in the Under-23s get opportunities to go out on-loan.

“For us, what’s important is what we’re doing right now,” he explained. “We have players out on loan, Tiago [Cukur], Dan Phillips, all the goalkeepers are out on loan. Joe Hungbo has just gone to Ross County and a few more might go out as well.

“Obviously the Under-23s are important, it allows the Under-18s to come up as you saw with Shaqai [Forde], Damani [Hunter] on the bench, Christos [Batzelis] on the bench. Tobi [Adeyemo] and Ben Smith came on.

“We’re going to be a young side so things like this might happen, but what’s important is the development of players for the future of the club and I think we have to try and get that right this year and I’m sure we will.”