Neil Warnock has plenty to ponder during Cardiff City preparations for their Premier League home match against Manchester United next Saturday.
There is no question about the heart and desire in his Bluebirds team, but there are big decisions to be made and fast.
Josh Murphy is a potent danger with his pace and class in possession, but he is a defensive liability. Cardiff manager Warnock will certainly be helping the young playmaker with that.
Bruno Manga again looked edgy and uncomfortable at right-back, while Lee Peltier took over from the injured Joe Bennett at left-back and looked the part.
Manga, for me, simply has to play in the centre. He is a quality defender through the middle and decisions have to be made whether he partners Sean Morrison or Sol Bamba.
Bobby Decordova-Reid showed he can be a genuine influence in this team and scored a well taken goal. City must give him more match minutes and set him running at opposing teams.
More than 2,000 Bluebirds fans travelled to Vicarage Road and Warnock’s players again showed there is hope.
They were three goals down after 68 minutes, but gave the Hornets a scary last 10 minutes or so after Junior Hoilett and Reid scored.
The truth is, though, that Cardiff have only earned one point from away fixtures and they have to improve on that.
Warnock was furious with referee Andy Madley and described him as a ‘Sunday trainee’.
“I cannot understand why we had Andre Marriner as the fourth official, and a referee who has not refereed a game all season,” said Warnock.
“Unless it’s because we are Cardiff and they say we can have a Sunday trainee or somebody?”
Warnock felt Madley should have shown Hornets striker Troy Deeney a yellow card after he collided with man of the match goalkeeper Neil Etheridge while sliding for the ball in the second half.
Madley was refereeing his first Premier League match of the season.
The 35-year-old has predominantly refereed in the Championship this season and has 100 Championship matches and plenty more Football League and FA Cup games to his name.< "Troy should have been booked," said Warnock. "I don't understand why we have to be the experimental side." Embed from Getty Images
“Is it because they feel sorry for us? Or feel we are not important?”
“You cannot tell me Marriner would not have given Deeney a card of some sort. It was a terrible tackle. We do not queue up and surround the referee. It upsets me when I see other teams get away with things.”
“Deeney could have pulled out early doors or not put his studs up. It warranted a card. I am disappointed to have an inexperienced referee. At least it gives him practice and is great for his assessors.”
Goals from Gerard Deulofeu, Jose Holebas and Domingos Quinas gave Watford a 3-0 lead with 22 minutes left, but Cardiff earned respect with the quality of ferocity off their comeback.
“The lads did well at the end and never gave up,” said Warnock. “We tried to frustrate them and thought we could have a go at them in the last half hour but it didn’t work out.”
“Individual errors which we’d have got away with in the Championship have cost us.”
“It will be the best result of the season if and when a first away victory comes.”
“We have two tough away games at Crystal Palace and Leicester coming up after we host Manchester United next weekend.”
“We have got to be a little bit more positive in certain areas and not as apprehensive.”
Etheridge was outstanding and Warnock said: “He’s improving and has been working on his positioning with Andy Dibble.”
“Now he’s feeling comfortable at this level. He has strong feet now which has given him a better opportunity to be more agile. He was a big plus today.”
Watford manager Javi Gracia said: “Cardiff’s goalkeeper was amazing. The last part of the game was a good lesson for us to know how we have to manage the game.”
The Bluebirds are still outside the relegation zone and ready to face Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United next Saturday (5.30pm).
Watford: Foster, Deulofeu (Cleverley 87), Deeney (Oaka 81), Sema (Success 77), Cathcart, Doucoure, Quina, Femenia, Holebas, Kabasele, Pereyra. Subs not used: Gomes, Mariappa, Masina, Chalobah.
Referee: Andy Madley
Attendance: 20,032