Report: Watford 1-0 Barnsley
Written by Mark Stokes on Saturday 12th September 2009

At the post match press conference Mark Robins said, "I understand why I have been given the job a lot clearer now."

There was a feeling of optimism with the first game under the watchful eye of Mark Robins, even if the reality was that he would have a lot to do to rectify the issues that have been laid before him.

Robins made five changes from two weeks ago. David Preece made is debut in goal replacing the injured Steele, O'Neill Thompson came in to play inbetween the midfield and defence. Mounir El Haimour, Jon Macken and the injured Daniel Bogdanovic where replaced with fit again Bobby Hassell, Anderson De Silva and Martin Devaney.

Barnsley had not lost in five games against Watford, but it was the Hornets that came out looking stronger and Barnsley's wayward passing meant they were put under constant pressure.

Fortunately Watford's lack of finishing ensured the first half would remain goaless.

After 30 minutes Mark Robins had seen enough and changed a 4-1-4-1 formation to a 4-4-2 one taking Thompson off and bringing Odejayi on.

The referee had a poor end to the half dishing out yellow cards to Barnsley, but any Watford infringement went unpunished. It merely served to frustrate the fans and players as they played out the first half seriously under par.

Watford got their goal on 54 minutes with a free kick from Cowie, knocked down by Eustace and scored by Graham with Preece only able to watch it go in, but a couple of minutes Preece pulled off a fantastic save when Foster's error let Graham through.

Barnsley started to get into the game with the introduction of Hammill and in particular Iain Hume and they started to look like grabbing a late equaliser, but it was Watford's Nathan Ellington that went closest at the end with cross come shot glanced off the bar.

Odejayi had to suffer the igmony of coming on as a sub and then being subbed 55 minutes later, but it was the right call as he seemed to inject some positive play for Barnsley.

All in all a disappointing performance and leaves Mark Robins fully understanding the enormity of his task. It was a team that look well short of confidence in from of the crowd and he will have his work cut out to restore that within the group or else bring in new faces and lose some familiar ones.

WATFORD: Loach, Mariappa, Lansbury (Harley 86), Cowie, Graham, Doyley, Jenkins, Bennett, Cleverley (Ellington 90), Eustace, Hodson.
Subs: Lee, Hoskins, Bryan, Sordell, Oshodi.

BARNSLEY: Preece, Hassell, Foster, Moore, Kozluk, Thompson (Odejayi 28 (Hume 78)), Campbell-Ryce (Hammill 53), Anderson, Hallfredsson, Devaney, Gray.
Subs: Ruslin, Colace, Macken, El Haimour.

Attendance: 12,613

Away Attendance: 623

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