7 Travers: Let-down for goal. Made some good saves at the start of the second half.
4 Ayling: Again struggled at right-back. Didn’t look comfortable and gave Chakvetadze too much space. Replaced on the hour.
6 Van den Berg: Visibly frustrated at times. Went close to equaliser when second half header hit the post.
6 Edmundson: A better individual performance than his last two games, despite Boro’s defeat.
4 Borges: Lacked conviction going forward and lost Sissoko for Watford’s goal.
4 Barlaser: Paid the price for Carrick’s team selection backfiring and was replaced at the break as Boro reverted back to their usual shape. Didn’t make an impact in the first half. One sloppy pass led to Watford break.
5 Morris: As industrious as ever but sloppy in possession by his high standards.
5 Hackney: Ineffective in first half in advanced role. Slightly better in second half.
4 Whittaker: Didn’t look comfortable in the role he was asked to play. Looked to be trying to force it when he had the ball.
6 Conway: Lively start when he had a penalty shout waved away and a low shot saved. Will hopefully benefit from 90 minutes.
4 Iheanacho: Played slightly deeper in support of Conway. A couple of efforts but ineffective and replaced on the hour.
Substitutes
7 Burgzorg (for Barlaser, 45): Boro’s best player, emphasising why it was such a bizarre decision to leave him out. It’s rare for Carrick to make a half-time change but Burgzorg had to be introduced.
5 Azaz (for Iheanacho, 59): No surprise to see Azaz dropped after worrying loss of form. One shot well saved but too ponderous again.
6 Dijksteel (for Ayling, 59): Cheered onto the pitch and was lively from the bench. Will surely start at Bristol City.
6 Iling-Junior (for Whittaker, 67):
Forss (for Borges, 79): N/A
Subs not used: Glover, Giles, Iling-Junior, Dede, McCabe
Watford: Selvik 7; Andrews 7 (Ngakia, 79), Keben 8, Abankwah 8, Larouci 7; Louza 7, Dele-Bashiru 7; Sissoko 7 (Ince, 46), Kayembe 7, Chakvetadze 7 (Pollock, 91); Doumbia 6 (Vata, 64)
Subs not used: Bond, Sierralta, Morris, Adu-Poku,
Man of the Match: Boro’s best player was their substitute, who provided some much-needed urgency and brought three saves out of Selvik. His omission was surprising to say the least.
