Vladimir Ivic Key Qoutes - Watford 2 Rotherham United 0

Watford manager Vladimir Ivic shared his thoughts on a 2-0 victory against Rotherham United at Vicarage Road.

First half goals from Watford’s Christian Kabasele and Captain Troy Deeney got the Hornets back to winning ways as they beat Rotherham United 2-0 at Vicarage Road.

With 2,000 Hornets fans in attendance, Watford rose to 3rd in the Championship standings and to within a point from the top.

The hosts were quick off the block in Hertfordshire. Watford forward Stipe Perica won the first corner of the game as Rotherham goalkeeper Jamal Blackman made an impressive stop to keep the Hornets from taking the lead in the 2nd minute.

Christian Kabasele scored from the resultant corner, the Belgian finding the bottom corner in the 3rd minute.

Just over ten minutes after the opener and Ivic’s Watford had a second. Captain Troy Deeney doubled the score. The Hornets skipper tapped home from a Femenia cross in the 15th minute. Watford made light work of the South Yorkshire outfit from the get-go.

Tom Cleverley tried his hand at goal in the 20th minute. The Hornets midfielder curled his shot whiskers over the top right corner as the Golden Boys searched for a third.

Watford’s Chalobah went for goal in the 37th minute. The Hornets midfielder followed up from a missed Deeney effort and rocketed the ball wide of Blackman’s post.

Paul Warne’s side started the second half sharpest. Watford goalkeeper Ben Foster pulled off a quick reflex save as Kyle Vassell threatened the home goal for the first time in the 47th minute.

The away side tried their luck again in the 57th minute. Rotherham broke, but only for Kabasele to charge down forward Michael Smith. Millers defender Angus Macdonald headed over as he connected to a Daniel Barlaser cross a minute later.

Watford’s first threatening chance after the interval came courtesy of a Tom Cleverley freekick in the 66th minute. Hit straight into the wall, it was the midfielders last contribution.

Matt Crooks tried for a Rotherham opener in the 70th minute. His right footed effort from the outside of the area curled over.

Stipe Perica came closest to scoring Watford’s third of the evening. The Croat combined with Ismaila Sarr but, could only steer it wide in the 84th minute.

Ivic said:

“We spoke during half time and I asked them to start the second half like the first half. I told them that the game was not over and that we needed to fight for every ball.

“We didn’t start the second half in the same way. It was the opposite to previous games. We need to show that we want the game across 90 minutes. We were active, dominant and created chances, but we need to work. We need to be on our top level for every second of the game.

“I am happy with our performance in the first 45 minutes. We worked hard and created a lot of chances.

“Troy game by game has gained more confidence and power. His condition is better than two or three weeks ago.

“We have five strikers and we changed the system so that we can play with two strikers.

“Glenn Murray is starting to work with us. Glenn will be ready for the next game. He can be in the squad.

“Étienne Capoue couldn’t play because of a small problem. I believe that he will be with us for pur next game.

“We have a lot of things to improve on our game and we will work on it.

“It is very important to win in front of the fans. A lot of us were very disappointed after the Cardiff City game. We wanted to forget the Cardiff game and make them happy.”

Warne said:

“Maybe we showed Watford too much respect.

“We obviously changed our system. The first goal from the set piece winded the lads’ confidence a little bit.

“They went out and performed really well in the second half and I couldn’t be prouder of them. They were excellent.”