What Middlesbrough were lacking against Watford as Neil Warnock's side go down fighting: Joe Nicholson's verdict

“Well done, Jonny,” was the call after Jonny Howson played a sweeping pass into Britt Assombalonga’s path, leading to a shot at goal.

“Go on Djed,” yelled the Boro boss moments later when Djed Spence squared up to Watford wing-back Kiko Femenia before charging down the right flank.

Warnock has always praised the work rate and attitude shown by his players since arriving at the Riverside in June. It was a similar story here, yet a shortage of attacking firepower and a defensive mistake resulted in a 1-0 defeat.

"I thought we did really well. We looked a good side,” said Warnock after the match, yet, as the result suggests, there was still something lacking.

The obvious thing to highlight is the shortage of goals Boro scored, or didn’t score, last season.

A lack of creativity in midfield has been an issue for some time and was once again highlighted as Boro huffed and puffed for a leveller.

With Warnock’s men operating in a 3-4-1-2 formation, Jonny Howson was one of the Teessiders’ standout performers in the engine room, snapping into challenges and sniffing out danger. Yet there’s still a sense Boro haven’t quite found the right balance in that area.

George Saville enjoyed a strong finish to last season but struggled to make an impact here, while Marcus Tavernier, playing just behind the two strikers, drifted in and out of proceedings.

When a chance did drop to Britt Assombalonga or Ashley Fletcher, the frontmen often forced a save from Watford keeper Ben Foster, with the attacking duo registering two efforts on goal apiece.

It wasn’t ideal the visitors didn’t have another striker to bring off a young and inexperienced bench, consisting of four players who were used in defence last season.

That explained why Warnock made just one substitution, bringing on Lewis Wing in the 77th minute.

Yet the most frustrating thing for the Boro boss will be the way his side conceded after 11 minutes, when Grant Hall lost Watford centre-back Craig Cathcart at a corner and the latter duly headed home.

Hall improved after that and was a commanding figure in Boro’s backline, yet his early error proved costly.

Boro’s set-piece wobbles didn’t disperse, though, and Watford could have gone 2-0 ahead in the 29th minute when Saville lost Joao Pedro from another corner but the forward headed wide.

Yet that was Watford’s last genuine opportunity as Boro wrestled hold of momentum after the break.

Most of the visitors’ attacks came down the right where Spence and Anfernee Dijksteel combined well, yet the latter couldn’t quite pick out a team-mate from crossing positions.

Dijksteel, meanwhile, once again justified his place on the right of a back three, showing good athleticism to thwart Watford attacks, as well as composure on the ball.

Warnock said the defender was ‘unbelievable.’

Not many people would have predicted that a few months ago after the 23-year-old endured a tricky start to his Boro career.

But Warnock appears to be improving and toughening the players at his disposal.

Boro’s starting XI have shown they are more than capable at this level – yet reinforcements are clearly needed.

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