Town spurned a succession of second-half chances as they drew 1-1 with Watford at Portman Road. Imran Louza gave the Hornets the lead in the 16th minute but the Blues hit back through Jaden Philogene five minutes later. While chances had been few and far between in the first half, Town had plenty in a second period they dominated but failed to find what would have been a deserved winner.

Jaden Philogene’s sixth goal of the season equalised Imran Louza’s opener for Watford, leaving the scoreline 1-1 between the Blues and Hornets at half-time at Portman Road.

Town made three changes from the team which won 4-1 at QPR on Saturday with Leif Davis missing having suffered a hamstring problem at Loftus Road.

Ben Johnson came into the team at left-back with Jens Cajuste returning to the midfield and Chuba Akpom starting as the number 10 with Jack Taylor and Marcelino Nunez dropping to the bench.

George Hirst was OK to start despite coming off with a hamstring problem at the weekend, while Ivan Azon was back among the subs having been absent due to a muscle issue at Loftus Road.

Watford made three changes from the team which beat Middlesbrough 3-0 on Saturday with Tom Ince, Vivaldo Semedo and the previously suspended James Abankwah returning to the team.

Rocco Vata missed out with a hamstring injury, while Luca Kjerrumgaard moving to the bench and Kevin Keben was left out of the squad.

Town won a corner in the 13th second which Egil Selvik claimed comfortably, then on four Philogene hit a 25-yard free-kick well over, Hirst having been fouled.

The Blues continued to control the game and in the ninth minute Cajuste’s quick feet took him past two Watford players and towards the edge of the box to the right, from where the Sweden international struck a shot which swerved away from Selvik’s right post.

However, it was the visitors who were to take the lead in the 16th minute. Marc Bola exchanged passes with Kwado Baah on the left, Sindre Walle Egeli failing to follow his the left-back, who sent over a low cross which Dara O’Shea, making his 50th appearance for the Blues, could only divert to Hornets skipper Imran Louza just beyond the penalty spot from where he hit the net, his fourth goal in four games.

There were muted groans around Portman Road following the goal but the home fans quickly got back onside and on 19 Walle Egeli crossed from the right and Hirst headed over at the far post.

And the Town support didn’t have to wait too long for an equaliser. Five minutes after the Watford goal, Cedric Kipre threaded a superb pass inside Jeremy Ngakia for Philogene breaking from the other side of the right-back and the wideman confidently took it on into the area before shooting across Selvik and into the net.

Portman Road delightedly celebrated Philogene’s sixth goal of the season, all of which have come at Portman Road.

Town were unable to push on and create further opportunities having levelled and Watford were the next to threaten, Ince hitting a shot from the edge of the box after a 36th-minute corner had been half-cleared and O’Shea making a vital block.

A minute later, Cajuste just reached the ball at the byline on the right after a well-worked move and crossed for Hirst but the Scotland international’s header was blocked.

On 42, after Azor Matusiwa had been sent flying by Ngakia, who was fortunate to escape a booking, Johnson wafted a free-kick in from the left and an unmarked Kipre headed back across goal and off the outside of the post. However, it wouldn’t have counted had it gone in with the linesman’s flag raised.

Moments after the fourth official indicated three additional minutes, Baah was shown the game’s first yellow card for jumping into Darnell Furlong as the Town defender sought to head a ball. The card led to a huge cheer from the North Stand with referee David Webb having previously been unduly lenient with a number of Watford players.

Seconds before the whistle, Town were awarded a free-kick for offside, which was taken in the Watford half, Akpom just unable to get his head on the ball with penalty appeals from the stands but not the pitch.

The Blues had largely been in control, Watford going in front via the sort of defence lapse which has led to most opposition goals this season.

But Town showed few signs of a collapse along the lines of the one in the Charlton game having gone behind and quickly got back on top, Philogene finishing well from Kipre’s excellent pass.

The Blues weren’t really able to force the issue from there, however, with few real chances in the latter stages - aside from Kipre’s offside header against the post - but while still in charge.

Akpom struck the first shot after the restart, O’Shea and Walle Egeli doing well before the on-loan Ajax man cut in from the right and hit a powerful effort which Selvik batted away but with no Town player in position to profit from the loose ball.

On 53, Philogene and Matusiwa had to separated by Cajuste on the edge of the Blues box, both clearly animated about an earlier incident. Other players joined in moving the two apart and referee Webb took no action.

Within a minute, Hirst and Abankwah, who had had a few comings together earlier in the game, chased a ball down the middle, the Watford defender appearing to have the Town striker’s shirt in his hand. Referee Webb again gave the decision against the Blues and soon after booked the Scotland international for a foul on the Irish U21 international.

Referee Webb now seemed to have more a thirst for showing cards and as the game reached the hour mark cautioned Bola for a foul on Walle Egeli out on the right.

The free-kick came to nothing with the Blues not having looked particularly dangerous aside from Akpom’s strike since the break.

On 62, Mamadou Doumbia hit a shot from distance for the Hornets which Christian Walton, making his 100th start for the club, allowed to sail over his bar.

A minute later, Philogene laid the ball into Kipre’s path on the edge of the box but the central defender screwed his shot out for a throw on the far side.

Town made their first changes on 64, Hirst, Philogene, Cajuste making way for Azon, Jack Clarke, making his 50th appearance for the Blues, and Taylor.

The Blues quickly began to look more of a threat, Taylor hitting a shot from the edge of the area which deflected through to Selvik.

On 69, the already booked Baah sent Furlong flying out on the Town right, prompting referee Webb to award a free-kick but not show the second yellow card the North Stand was baying for. They appeared to have a strong case.

The Blues’ subs had reinvigorated the second-half performance with Watford struggling to get out of their final third.

The Hornets made their first changes in the 72nd minute, the fortunate Baah, Ince and Semedo making way for Edo Kayembe, Othmane Maamma and Luca Kjerrumgaard.

The game was becoming increasingly open and end-to-end, Kjerrumgaard briefly getting away on the left before O’Shea got back to cover

In the 77th minute, Maamma got away down the right with Johnson tiring but his cross was cut out by Kipre.

Within a minute, Clarke tricked his way into the area on the left and Azon flicked his low cross towards goal but without any power and Selvik saved with ease.

Town should have taken the lead in the 79th minute when Walle Egeli cross from the right to Azon but the Spaniard’s header from six yards into the ground bounced beyond the far post when it had seemed easier to score.

The Blues then made their final changes, swapping the exhausted Johnson for Jacob Greaves and Akpom for Nunez.

Town continued to push and in the 82nd minute Clarke played in Azon on the left of the area, the on-loan Como man cutting inside his defender, then laying off to Taylor, who smashed over when he should have hit the target. Watford switched Doumbia for Nestory Irankunda.

Azon again went close to his first Blues goal in the 87th minute, Clarke crossing from the left and the Spanish frontman heading towards goal but Selvik somehow managing to claw it away and a defender hooking it away ahead of a number of waiting Town players.

The Blues spurned yet another chance to win it in the 89th minute, O’Shea nodding a Clarke corner back across goal and Nunez blazing wide when again it looked a simpler matter to hit the target.

Ahead of seven additional minutes, Watford replaced Hector Kyprianou with Moussa Sissoko.

Town kept pushing in injury time but without being able to test Selvik again and the Blues had to settle for a point.

Without a doubt it was a case of two points dropped with the Blues very dominant in the second half and having more than enough opportunities to score a second goal, Kipre, Taylor, Nunez and Azon, who is still waiting to open his Town account, failing to take very good opportunities.

Watford defended resolutely throughout with Walton never called into action to make a serious save and will be pleased with only their third away point of the season, while also feeling they were fortunate not to play the final 20 minutes with 10 men, Baah having inexplicably escaped without a second yellow card.

Overall, a frustrating night but the Blues dominated a side which beat Middlesbrough 3-0 at the weekend.

Town, who drop a place to 10th, are back in action on Saturday when they travel to Swansea City, who are at Preston tomorrow evening.

Town: Walton, Furlong, O’Shea (c), Kipre, Johnson (Greaves 79), Matusiwa, Cajuste (Taylor 64), Walle Egeli, Akpom (Nunez 79), Philogene (J Clarke 64), Hirst (Azon 64). Unused: Button, Young, Humphreys, McAteer.

Watford: Selvik, Ngakia, Kyprianou, Pollock, Ince (Maamma 72), Louza (c), Bola, Semedo (Kjerrumgaard 72), Doumbia (Irankunda 83), Abankwah, Baah (Kayembe 72). Unused: Baxter, Alleyne, Sissoko, Morris, Petris. Referee: David Webb (Lancashire). Att: 27,184.

Photo: Matchday Images

bringonbrazil added 22:30 - Nov 4 Apparently Akbom started. He was Missing In Action. Get rid in Jan if he doesn’t start delivering. Credit Watford keeper. Taylor in from start until the pri-madonnas start delivering.
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rkl added 22:31 - Nov 4 Did enough to win, not helped by the ref being far too lenient with the dirty fouls from the Watford players. Matusiwa MotM for me. Kipre solid as well. Watford is a bogey team for us. 3 points on Saturday and we’re looking fine.
3

Madvic22 added 22:40 - Nov 4 Actually thought we played ok tonight,got to put the chances away though
1

Barty added 22:44 - Nov 4 Poor finishing cost us more points again tonight. Arguments between players not good. Improvement needed to be able to push for top 6. Very disgruntled tonight.
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del45 added 22:50 - Nov 4 How can professional footballers who are paid a huge income miss from 6 yds disgraceful .
5

EssexTractor added 22:55 - Nov 4 Tonight for once as a TV VIEWER comments Walton not really tested and when he the chance to clear quickly there was no one available Furlong confused when Watford scored but fortunately not tested after that Johnson ..in simple terms not a left back …surely Young would have been a better choice Kipre brilliant pass to set up the goal , otherwise something of a lumbering giant together with O Shea who simply roll the ball across to each other without showing zest and enthusiasm Cajuste a couple of excellent turns and forward movement but then faded away Matusiwa impressive first half …but what happened between him and Philogene second half ? Philogene super finish but didn’t get away from Watfords defenders after that and looked moody before being withdrawn Akpom sorry but a nonentity Hirst scored two on Saturday ( could barely miss after being wonderfully set up) but tonight did nothing apart from being stupidly booked Egeli..showed so many moments of being an excellent player ..his crossing super .. Azon runs about shows vigour but should have scored one having had the other very well saved When Taylor and Clarke appeared momentarily it seemed the dullness of the match would evaporate ..sadly not Nunez on too late and probably better at shooting from 20 yards than five yards Watford through their boring clumsy display deserved nothing but in their one and only good move they scored Overall how much we do need a “ Magilton/ Morsy” midfielder to drive the team forward with grit , passion and a real desire of wanting to beat a second rate side as the opponents were tonight . ,

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DannyITFC added 23:10 - Nov 4 I thought it was a good performance but lacked composure to put the game to bed on 4-6 occasions. Their goal was a O’Shea error, he needs to deal with that cross better at this level. Kipre missed a sitter first half, Azon again a sitter in the 2nd half, Taylor had a great chance but lacked composure, Nunez had an incredible opportunity to seal the win and got carried away. These are championship footballers, there really is no excuse for missing these type of chances in a match in so many occasions. I have to say imagine if we had the lad from Norwich upfront (Sargent) he would be banging in the goals you feel. It’s one foot forward one step backwards sadly, 10th place is about right. I can’t see how we are going to be serious about top 6 let alone actually thinking we can go up? Watford were poor, very very poor and there for the taking and yet again we are masters of our own downfall. Kieron has some work to do with his front line, they need to be more consistent than this.

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budgieplucker added 23:39 - Nov 4 Look, that was not a very good performance. Credit though to Johnson who had a solid game, and Greaves gave us some physicality nd urgency racing forward and getting into the box. O'Shea another unconvincing performance as Captain, whatever Matisuwa said to Billy Jean I don't know and not exactly sure what caused it but Matisuwa was wearing the No. 5 shirt, and Sammy used to give out a few rollickings in that shirt. At the moment I would guess Matisuwa who put in another great shift was hacked off about players laying around morning about not getting fouls and giving possession away too easily, if so then Billy Jean was guilty of that, yes a great goal but he cannot live off that and do very little for the rest of the match. O'Shea not prepared to give out rollickings but then it is difficult when you own performances are fraught with lapses and difficult to pull others up for not concentrating. Morsy used to set high standards and would let players know when they were not living up to expectation. Cajuste at the moment struggling to give the side any extra dimension from his obvious class. Time and again Walton collects the ball runs 100 miles an hour to the edge of the box threatening a rapid release all to then come to a halt to allow the opposition to get ten men back behind the ball. So why cannot Akpom, Szmodics or Azon score in this side? It could be down to the way we play and supply the ball to the forwards, or are they are all living on past memories. Its difficult to criticise the players for effort but to me Azon just lacks sharpness, he has a big height disadvantage up front but doesn't give us the clinicality needed. Oh for a Marcus Stewart!!!! Fluency is a long time coming, we punished a weak team on Saturday as we got behind the defence and delivered good balls into the box, plus we had a player that gives us a greater likelihood of convertibg from freekicks. Resting Taylor and Nunez for me was a very bad decision, when players hit a run of form you need țo use that form to create momentum. Apart from Kipre's defence splitting pass we had to await Nunez's arrival before we really got behind the defence again when he tucked the ball inside the full back for Egeli to run onto. Just far too few moments of quality for me to convince the world that we can justify still being a favourite for a top two position, granted we should have enough to get to play offs but at the moment we appear to lack the mentality to win crucial games.

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cressi added 23:42 - Nov 4 We simply have decent individuals but no real leader on the pitch and are far from being a team.
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ITFCBORN1978 added 00:08 - Nov 5 Ok where to start. Watford poor team always going to play defensivly - But they did not play a low block like many have suggested - you dont have to against ipswich, Because for some reason we never try to break the lines, never play on the edge of defenders. Look at Egeli and Philigene. Theye are always 2-3 yrds inside the the defensive line. So if Watford are going to be Defensive, time wasting, and cheating. Then we need to have movement, quick thinking and creativity. Akpom and Hurst just did not move - If the play is building on the left they are stationary on the right. and vice versa. The amount of times I saw space inside the channels where you would normally see Chaplin was ridiculous. Akpom no where to be seen and Hurst not moving from the Centre. So back to Watford being Defensive - We just come of the back of a very postive win. A player who is full fo creativity and quick thinking has just scored two great goals and is on an absolute high. Come Tuesday night when you need such a player. where is he. On the bench. Also on the bench our second highest scorer. So why oh why are these players not starting, it seems they are being punished for scoring goals and playing well. It happened again to Philigene against Charlton. Akpoms Goal record is poor with the exception of one season, Azon, I know people like him but again his scoring record was woefull. But lets look at some postives. Kipre - 100% our best defender - yes a little slow playing the ball out, But thats seems to be the whole back line not just him. With him in the team the defence looks alot more assured. Again why he not play against Charlton. Matusiwa - Just gets better and better and better - was not really a fan to start with but since he learned to pass I think he cant be dropped. Cajuste - I think some one mentioned he not distributing quick enough, Tend to agree but with no movemnt where is he supposed to distribute to. He looked good today. He just needs to trust him self more in and around the box. Thats about all the postives I have for tonight - Other than greeves cameo playing Left back. Best I seen him play. Egeli, stick him upfront - at least he has a goal scoring record before he came here. I would like to see, Jack C, Nunez, Philgene and Egeli as our starting front 4 With Egeli as the striker. and smodic as the replacment no 10 when he is fit again. I want to see our wingers and No 10 try to break the lines get in behind. We did it once tonight and we scored a goal. But it was the only time. And occasionally just play the ball over the top. not all the time but just to catch them of guard, It just all to predictable. And as for the Ref - Well blow me down, It seemed to me he decided before the match how many cards he was going to dish out and how many free kicks he was going to award. I advise the league to seriously review how bad his decsion making was today. Also is there a new rule for Defenders, are they now allowed to just throw oppostion players to the ground. I have seen this in every match now, its constant. Most of the time is see the Ref looking startight at it as well. But no foul is ever given. I leave with this statement and I hate to say it. But here goes. The last two home games WBA and Watford - Have been boring for 80% of the match. It reminds me of Southgates England teams.

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55015Deltic added 00:23 - Nov 5 The players aren’t good enough and I am not convinced they are going to get much better. We can’t break teams down that set up like this against us and McKenna doesn’t change things when it isn’t working. Subs now on earlier so he clearly listens to the noise after games. The Team is lacking defined Leadership. I think OShea is a problem in the Team. Can’t defend can’t distribute the ball, just sits with it thinking what should I do. As usual we concede every game…..

7

VanDusen added 00:47 - Nov 5 There was some beautiful link up play (Philogene back heel to Cajuste was sublime; another fantastic cross field pass by Johnson like the one that led to the goal at Villa) - but our problem is in the finishing and the very shaky backline. Azm looks like Counago who didn't score in his first season. We finally played Akpom in his right position on Saturday then he's back to No.10 tonight. He should be centre looking to get on to some of those crosses. We have a perfect 10 in Nunez - he needs to be starting every game he can imho. I'm still confident that at some point across the season this will 'click' and we'll go on a run (crazily we're still.cpmfortably in a play off spot if we win our game in hand, which shows.what a different league it is now. But for me the real issue is in the backline and the passing around. I know I didn't like it two years ago but it never felt quite as terrifying as it does now. And we're seemingly always good to concede a poor goal, which is no good if we're not scoring... And then there was the bust up between Philogene and Matusiwa: that's not good, given they're two firm starters. Just as it felt some spirit was developing at QPR too....

5

armchaircritic59 added 00:56 - Nov 5 Bust up's aren't neccessarily a bad thing, just depends on what they are about, at least it sometimes shows players actually care. There's only one winner of that particular fight, the guy who should be captain!
5

shakytown added 01:13 - Nov 5 Same infantile pathetic budgie making retarded comments. What a sad little blip of an existence it must be.
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Nottsblue66 added 04:41 - Nov 5 Blueboy1981- spot on McKenna is a one trick pony no plan B and the same formation week after week and the same rubbish out of his mouth week after week But fans still think the sun shines out of his backside. And the thing that fans keep saying is the players are still finding themselves its November FFS.
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 05:59 - Nov 5 Very frustrating evening. We played some good stuff at times, but lack a cutting edge. Matusiwa very good, and I like the way Walle Egeli is so positive, whipping in some excellent crosses that unfortunately no-one could take advantage of. I get that we have a system, a pattern of play that is drilled into the team, but surely sometimes we could break the mould and do something different. There were numerous times someone was stuck unmarked out on a wing and a ball out there, or over the top of Watford's defence would have been a bit less predictable. Sometimes, we are just too slow to get things moving. As someone said, if we had a player like that unmentionable character from up the road, we would be a far sharper team. Anyway, we move on. COYB!

4

delias_cheesy_flaps added 06:04 - Nov 5 Wow, some glaring misses in front of goal last night, especially in the second half, Nunez wild swipe was the pick of the bunch, Azon missed a sitter and made the keeper work, Greaves getting forward was a pleasant shock…we need to practice out finishing, that’s for sure!
3

Bluearmy_81 added 06:07 - Nov 5 “we're going to be mid-table mediocrity for sometime!” No, we’re not. Quite rightly, the Americans don’t do failure. Time for McKenna to start earning his 6 million a year, develop a plan B and if he doesn’t improve I’ve no doubt he will be out…
2

Dissboyitfc added 07:44 - Nov 5 Mixed bag on here tonight! those spouting usual rubbish! Firstly as i see it, not a great performance by any stretch of the imagination! But only one team wanted to win that game! As for people saying we couldnt find a way to break them down, really? so many spurned chances and some of them sitters in all honesty! When we won promotion we had games when we werent great but we won, so many games went our way, remember the match against southampton and Sarmiento's goal, we werent great in that game but we found a way to win! Typically we won more than we lost and not always were we the best side! Question here, how is Km to blame for missed sitters? thats not something he can control, Nunez on Saturday scored 2 goals that not many could have scored last night he missed a sitter most people would of at least hit the target! I think the subs did make an impact, i like greaves at left wing back, sadly Ben Johnson for me does very little! Very dissapointed that we dropped 2 points, awful defending ( lack of) for their goal, that one KM can take some blame for! Azor for captain better captain material and then at least we could drop Oshea.

6

Dissboyitfc added 07:53 - Nov 5 Question for you Blueboy, who do you want in as captain? With so much to say you will certainly have researched who's available and would be the best fit? I expect you to answer with a list of candidates! Or do you not even believe what you write? maybe you just like the attention a divisive remark creates!
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Jcb2007 added 07:54 - Nov 5 Frustrating watch, clearly the better team. We've been in this league before and knoe that there is no easy game and guaranteed 3 pts. it is consistency gets you promoted. Matusiwa was everywhere. Akpom looks angry all the time, needs a goal. What was the beef between Philogene and Matusiwa ? Azon deserved to score. Bring on the Welsh.
1

atty added 08:34 - Nov 5 If we continue to play with one up top, which l guess we will, then we desperately need more quality in that position. Both Hirst and Azon are real triers. Hirst will score a few goals, Azon doesn’t look like he has a goal in him. God knows where we will find a quality CF in January, they are like gold dust, but if we don’t, it’s play offs at best, and that will be a stretch. A quality box to box midfielder would be most welcome too.

2

Steelmonkey added 09:06 - Nov 5 One of those nights when we should have had more goals and three points. Does anyone else think that playing fullback might be Greaves best position, I thought he he looked very much at home playing there when he came on for Johnson, linked up very well and had some nice touches in the box. Still think we should have started with the eleven that finished at QPR. Another cracking goal from Jaden.

2

JewellintheTown added 09:10 - Nov 5 Its a shame we cant sack some of the "fans" with some of those comments.
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blueboy1981 added 09:13 - Nov 5 Dissboyitfc - Why are you such an ‘accepting loser’ ?? - answer that and you may understand my logical thinking. TWO MORE HOME POINTS DROPPED - and the player scoring TWO on Saturday, hardly gets a run out ??? - start explaining (or make excuse !!) for that ??
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