There was palpable and audible anger in the away stand as Watford crumbled to a miserable away defeat, losing 3-1 at Blackpool.
The away fans booed and chanted ‘you’re not fit to wear the shirt’ as the Hornets folded tamely in the last 20 minutes having had ample possession before that.
However, they made their customary slow start and once again went behind to a poorly-defended goal.
The response was good and they levelled through an excellent Louza free-kick. After that they had the lion’s share of the ball but just didn’t create enough to make it count.
That left them susceptible as they went in search a goal and the home side grew in confidence on the counter attack as the game wore on.
The last ten minutes were painful as the rearguard folded and Yates twice punished them.
The boos at the end were long and meaningful – these were fans who were making an eight-hour round trip, just as many of them did to watch the surrender at Blackburn.
Injuries may have played their part, but this was still a performance that lacked guile and creativity, as well as the sort of passion and desire that the home side displayed, and the Watfird fans demand.
The task that lies ahead of Slaven Bilic is getting harder by the day – and he’s only been here a fortnight.
Watford made four changes as the injuries took their toll. Gosling came in at right-back, Troost-Ekong returned to the centre of defence, Louza made his first start of the season in place of Asprilla and Bayo started in attack in place of Davis.
Sierralta was sufficiently fit for a place on the bench, alongside Davis and Asprilla and also Dele-Bashiru, who has been out with a long-term injury.
Watford carved out the first chance after four minutes when Kayembe released Louza midway inside the Blackpool half, he progressed and fired a low shot from 20 yards that Maxwell held.
They went behind, though, in the ninth minute amid another moment of defensive frailty. They cleared a corner but when the ball was recycled and then played back into the box Madine got on the end of a flick and had enough time and space to take a touch and lob over Bachmann.
However, Watford responded well to going behind and had good possession in the Blackpool half before a quick counter saw Carey release Yates down the left, he cut inside and curled a shot that Bachmann held.
In the 21st minute Bayo pinged a pass to Kamaras on the left, he crossed first time and Sarr couldn't quite divert the ball goalwards.
However, Watford drew level, and in some style, after 28 minutes.
They won a free-kick on the right corner of the box and Louza stepped up to bend a well-struck effort beyond Maxwell and into the far top corner.
After that the visitors had the best of things, with Blackpool largely restricted to counter attacks.
Watford were so close again after 38 minutes when Sema slipped Bayo into the box and Maxwell deflected his low effort just wide.
In first-half stoppage time a long ball over the top from Kayembe allowed Bayo to shake off his marker. He tried to then steer the ball into the net but a combination of Maxwell and a defender blocked the effort.
Right on the stroke of half time Blackpool reminded Watford they were dangerous as Madine was released into the right of the box but sent a low shot into the side netting.
The Hornets made a change at half-time, replacing Sema with Asprilla.
There was an early second-half warning for Watford as Corbeanu cut in from the left and sent a shot just wide.
In the 51st minute there was a different free kick routine from Watford as Louza played the ball square from wide on the right, Choudhury took a touch but bent his shot wide.
Then Asprilla broke from halfway, skipped over a tackle and teed up Sarr, who dragged his shot wide
Blackpool had a good chance on the counter as Corbneau was set free down the left but his shot after cutting in was way off target.
In the 69th minute there were two great saves Bachmann. Connolly crossed from the right and Madine dived to head goalwards where the Austrian went full-length to tip the ball wide. From the resultant corner he made another fingertip save from very close range.
Four minutes later the keeper did well again, diving to hold Patino’s long-range shot.
Blackpool regained the lead in the 80th minute. Substitute Hamilton crossed from the left and ball went all the way to Yates at the back of the box, who hooked his volley across Bachmann and inside the back post.
The home side sealed the points four minutes later as Yates gathered the ball on the edge of the box, side-stepped a tackle and then steered a shot past Bachmann.
Chants of ‘you’re not fit to wear the shirt’ rang around the away end, although many Watford fans were already heading back to their cars for the long drive home.
Watford: Bachmann; Gosling (Sierralta 77, Morris 86), Troost-Ekong, Kabasele, Kamara; Choudhury, Kayembe (Dele-Bashiru 77); Sarr, Louza, Sema (Asprilla ht); Bayo (Davis 57). Subs: Okoye, Hungbo
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