Watford 0-0 QPR: Pollock 'gutted and frustrated' with draw

The big defender impressed again as the Hornets kept another clean sheet and extended their unbeaten home run.

However, there was a distinct feeling that this was a day when Watford missed out on a chance to cement themselves further into the top six.

Mattie Pollock (Image: PA) “It's a point in the right direction, but it's not three, and we're gutted,” said Pollock

“I'm frustrated and disappointed.

“We've been building a positive run of games and it's frustrating we couldn't take that next step because it's something we've talked about as a team.

“We'll make sure we regroup for the next game and come back harder.”

Pollock assessed the performance in the way many fans would have done.

“We were poor today. On another day we would have taken care of them. I'm confident about that,” he said

“Rangers had a couple of good chances and we were lacking a bit around the final third.

“But defensively we got the clean sheet which is something we needed - we've lacked them this season.”

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Alongside the clean sheet, preserving the unbeaten record at home was the other positive from the goalless draw.

“We've been very solid at home and won a lot of games,” said Pollock.

“I hear all the hype about us being unbeaten but as footballers you put that to the back of your mind.

“We're here to win games and whether it's eight at home or 16 at home it doesn't matter.

“We need to keep playing as well as we can and as defenders we want clean sheets, so I'm happy we did that.”

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After a drab first 45 minutes, Watford had the better of the second half and looked the more likely side to win the game.

“The manager's footballing brain is incredible. The subs worked but we were missing something - all of us, not any individuals,” Pollock said.

“When we play such an attacking game, we're going to have risky moments - the more people you push forward, the more chances we might give to the opposition at the back.

“We took risks to try and score and sometimes you'll come off better, sometimes worse.”

The record at Vicarage Road since Cleverley took over is something that the players want to continue and protect.

“We're proud of it,” said Pollock.

“It's something we obviously wanted to do after last season, when we weren't good enough at home.

“We want to give something back to the fans. They've been incredible this season - full force and right behind us. 

“When you have that backing, it's hard to not to perform.

“Against Rangers, it was frustrating but the fans could see we were giving 100 per cent and weren't quite at the races.

“We want to keep that unbeaten home run going for as many games as we can at the Vic. It's something the fans and the club deserve.”

Pollock said he and his teammates have built what they have achieved so far this since on the belief Cleverley has instilled in them.

“The first thing he did was give us the right spirit.

“We played at Birmingham in our first game after Tom took over. The lads went from being a bit nervous and crumbly to being strong and aggressive.

“The manager has kept that going and the coaches have driven that into us.

“He has given us real belief and has created togetherness and spirit where we feel we can get through tough periods.

“We had a tough patch against Rangers but we stuck together.

“Whether we're playing well or not, you can see there's a real direction and togetherness in the team. 

“Since the manager has come in, he's been unbelievable.

“It's just a shame we didn't get the job done for him against Rangers because he puts a lot of time and effort into the job for us.

“As players, we try and do the right things on the pitch for him and that's so important in a football club.”