Town boss Joe Royle described his team's 2-1 win at Watford as the proverbial game of two halves. He was distinctly unimpressed with his side's passing in the opening period and told them so at the break.

Royle said: "That game definitely fitted the description of a game of two halves. I was up in the directors' box sitting next to the chairman and saying 'Will someone please pass the ball?'.

"I told them at half-time if we don't do anything else we'll at least pass the ball."

The Blues' boss brought on Pablo Couñago and new loanee Shefki Kuqi for the second period, the latter scoring six minutes after coming on. Royle was pleased his changes had an effect: "It's nice when your substitutions work."

Town dominated the latter stages and it was fitting that key man Jim Magilton should wrap up the three points with a goal fully appreciated by his manager: "That was worthy of winning a better match."

Watford boss Ray Lewington also had praise for Magilton who took control of the second half from in an advanced midfield role: "He must love it in that sort of position. He had no defensive responsibilities and he's experienced enough to run the game.

"We scored and then we just panicked and started defending too deep. We didn't get the ball for 15 minutes - and the winning goal was inevitable."

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