Mackay bemoans slow start

Mackay: Bemoans slow start

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Watford boss Malky Mackay was unhappy it was not until the second half that his team started playing at Derby County.

By that time the visitors were already a goal down at Pride Park thanks to Michael Tonge's fine strike with 12 minutes played.

Watford upped their game after half-time although the match was settled when Chris Porter added a second late on.

"We are very disappointed because we didn't get started until after half-time," explained Mackay.

"Then we showed we could cause problems and create chances, but we have got to start like that.

"The preparation was the same but for some reason we didn't come out of the traps. We've got to make sure we start at the same tempo as the opposition.

"We have to make sure we battle and fight for everything. It was there in patches in the first half but didn't come to the fore until the second when we did get on the front foot.

"We created two golden opportunities in the second half and chances like that have to be taken."

Illness battle

Tonge was Derby's star man and coach Gary Crosby revealed the on-loan midfielder from Stoke had been a major doubt due to illness.

Crosby also expressed his delight that Nigel Clough's side claimed a clean sheet, although the credit goes to the whole team - not just the backline.

"He has been struggling all week with a virus but he wanted to play for as long as he could today," said Crosby.

"Michael adds quality. He's very comfortable with possession in any area of the pitch and he is a lovely lad as well.

"He's gone to Stoke and they are doing very, very well and he's unfortunate not to be involved there more often than he has been, but that's to our benefit at the moment.

"It was pleasing to get a clean sheet as well but I'm pleased for the whole team, not just the back four and the goalkeeper."