Watford boss Malky Mackay says referee Grant Hegley made the right decision to call off his side’s game at Portman Road due to frozen areas of the pitch, even if the postponement came late in the day. Hertfordshire-based official Hegley decided the match couldn't go ahead after an inspection at 1.15pm.

Mackay said: “We are desperately disappointed. We were at the hotel around the corner at one o'clock when we got the call saying it was doubtful, and just as we pulled up I got the call to say it was off.

“I had a chat with the referee, we walked on it and it is the right decision, although it was made very late.

“I have spoken to the Ipswich groundstaff all week and the pitch was fine. They have worked hard it was just unfortunate that this has happened this morning.”

Former Canary Mackay said he wasn’t in a position to say whether the pitch inspection should have been made earlier: “At 10 o'clock this morning the balloon with the hot air underneath was still on it and it was OK. It was only when they took it off that it was not so good. You will have to ask the groundstaff.

“I know the head groundsman Alan Ferguson and he is gutted it is not on and his pitch is always very good here. It is disappointing for both teams. It is great conditions to play today, but the pitch is ropey.”

Photo: Action Images

itfc1981 added 17:13 - Dec 26 Mankey would be happy he's hopping he plays us on another losing run
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Markthehorn added 17:14 - Dec 26 I'm surprised to hear Malky is backing a ref for once!
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EatonBlue added 18:17 - Dec 26 Hertfordshire-based referee and Watford is in .... Hertfordshire !?
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jeera added 18:33 - Dec 26 EatonBlue. your post doesn't make sense. They don't get 3 points for a postponement.
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Back_The_Boss added 07:27 - Dec 27 Feel sorry for the Watford fans, many of which were already at Portman Road. Lets get it right next time ref.
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