The January transfer window is over and whilst Watford did well to acquire Miguel Layun and Ben Watson, I hope the Hornets aren’t made to regret not signing a truly top centre half.

Golden Boys boss Slavisa Jokanovic made no secret of what he wanted, a defender and a midfielder.

It seems the Hornets attempted to bring in a centre-back on deadline day. Leicester City’s Liam Moore and Genoa’s Luca Antonini were both linked with moves but remained at their clubs.

So the Hornets are left with Gabriele Angella, Craig Cathcart, Tommie Hoban, Vujadin Savic and Joel Ekstrand as their options in the centre of defence. Is this enough when we play with a back three?

Perhaps it is but, with crucial games coming up, I feel it could be time for Hoban, who is still only 21 years old, to really come of age and fill the void left by Sebastien Bassong.

He must now take this opportunity to reassert himself as key figure in the Hornets starting XI.

After rising through the Academy and nailing down a starting berth in Gianfranco Zola’s side two seasons ago, Hoban, perhaps due to injury, is still yet to firmly cement himself as a key cog in the Hornets backline.

He’s proved in the past that he has the ability and now he has the experience to become a key player and take defensive responsibility when other senior figures are on the sidelines.

During this incredibly important period for the club, goals are continuing to fly in at both ends, which although exciting, isn’t a recipe for promotion.

Now more experienced and better equipped, hopefully Hoban can become a catalyst for a strong defensive unit in the second half of the season.

Meanwhile, because of Lee Probert’s mistake in the Hornets defeat to Bournemouth, we shouldn’t look too much into the result - as frankly it isn’t one that is going to define our season.

We weren’t outplayed or outfought and on another day could’ve earned all three points against a team who I really believe were there for the taking.

But, over the next couple of games, it is imperative that we move on and gain maximum points to pull ourselves away from the chasing play-off pack and firmly into the race for the automatic slots.

Wins against Blackburn and Brentford will hopefully make sure we leapfrog the latter and place ourselves perfectly in behind the top two.